BILL REQ. #:  S-0235.1 

Read first time 01/21/2005.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     WHEREAS, The legislature wishes to recognize the value of poetry and the contribution Washington poets make to the culture of our state; and
     WHEREAS, Poetry is a literary form respected and growing throughout all segments of Washington's population; and
     WHEREAS, Washington state has produced many excellent and nationally recognized poets over the years;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Governor appoint a Washington poet to serve as the poet laureate of the state of Washington. The poet laureate shall engage in activities to promote and encourage poetry within the state. The term of the poet laureate shall be two years.
     Recommendation of a poet laureate shall be made to the Governor by March 1st of even-numbered years by a nominating committee chaired by the Washington state librarian and including as members representatives of education, arts, and humanities commissions, publishing, and the Washington community of poets. The Governor shall announce the name of the poet laureate on or about the first of April, National Poetry Month, of even-numbered years; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the salary of the poet laureate consist of one butt of Washington wine per year donated by representatives of the Washington wine industry. For the purposes of RCW 66.28.040, the poet laureate shall qualify as a board representative.