HOUSE BILL REPORT

HJM 4024

As Passed House:

February 15, 2002

Brief Description:  Requesting State Route 99 be named the William P. Stewart Memorial Highway.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Dunshee, Edwards, Jackley and Schmidt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  2/4/02, 2/6/02 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/15/02, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Requests the Transportation Commission to designate State Route 99 as the "William P. Stewart Memorial Highway."

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Fisher, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Mitchell, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Edwards, Ericksen, Haigh, Hankins, Hatfield, Holmquist, Jackley, Jarrett, Morell, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Skinner, Sullivan, Wood and Woods.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Mielke.

Staff:  Paul Neal (786‑7315).

Background:

State Route 99 runs along the eastern shore of Puget Sound from Fife to the junction of Highway 526 and Interstate 5 near Mukilteo.  The Transportation Commission has the authority to designate state highways with a particular name.  Names are often chosen to memorialize noteworthy persons.  State Route 99 has not been given an official commemorative designation by the Transportation Commission.

Summary of Bill:

The memorial recites the lifetime achievements of William P. Stewart, an African‑American resident of Washington who fought for the Union during the Civil War.  The memorial requests the Transportation Commission to designate State Route 99 as the "William P. Stewart Memorial Highway."

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Testimony For:  William P. Stewart was a notable African-American resident of Snohomish County who should be honored.

Testimony Against:  Honoring Mr. Stewart should not be construed as a de-authorization of memorials to Jefferson Davis.

Testified:  (In support) Representative Dunshee, prime sponsor; Marian Harrison, citizen; Marilyn J. Quincy, great-granddaughter of William P. Stewart; Georgina M. Paul, great-granddaughter of William P. Stewart; Tony Orange, Commission on African-American Affairs; and Richard Blake, citizen.

(With concerns) Marjorie Reeves, United Daughters of the Confederacy; and Dr. James F. Morgan, Sons of Confederate Veterans.