BILL REQ. #:  S-5311.1 

Read first time 03/08/12.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections.

     TO THE HONORABLE BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, Washington's maritime heritage is rich and diverse, and represented in numerous significant historic sites located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the inland Salish Sea, and Puget Sound; and
     WHEREAS, Washington's maritime heritage continues to grow and develop in the context of our vibrant international trade economy; and
     WHEREAS, Washington's maritime heritage reflects our region's historically key role as a crossroads of international exploration in the Pacific; and
     WHEREAS, The preservation and protection of Washington's unique maritime heritage sites contribute significant economic, educational, and environmental value for all citizens; and
     WHEREAS, The interpretation of Washington's maritime heritage sites is an important form of lifelong learning that contributes to understandings between cultures about our shared history; and
     WHEREAS, Washington's maritime heritage is a major attraction for tourism, an important sector to Washington's economy; and
     WHEREAS, A priority for the federal government is to increase international tourism to the United States; and
     WHEREAS, Many citizens contribute their personal and professional time, effort, and resources to preserve, protect, and interpret Washington State's unique maritime heritage; and
     WHEREAS, Numerous local jurisdictions, organizations, private citizens, and Tribes have expressed their support for the establishment of a nonregulatory National Maritime Heritage Area encompassing publicly owned lands that are located up to one-quarter mile inland from the shoreline in the counties of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom; and
     WHEREAS, The State of Washington has invested resources in developing an application for this designation;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Congress approve the designation of the marine waters and adjacent lands as described herein as a National Maritime Heritage Area and that the United States Department of the Interior is requested to expedite completion of a proposal to the United States Congress to achieve this designation.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the United States Department of the Interior, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.