WHEREAS, Our nation was founded upon the notion that freedom and equality are inseparable; and
     WHEREAS, The fight for freedom and equality is celebrated each February as our nation recognizes Black History Month; and
     WHEREAS, Black Americans survived nearly 400 years of slavery and human bondage, earning their freedom with President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, only to face continued segregation and discrimination; and
     WHEREAS, Washington State recognizes a true American Patriot in George Washington Bush, a veteran of the War of 1812, and an Irish African-American who chose to move from his home state of Missouri to the Pacific Northwest; and
     WHEREAS, We recognize George Washington Bush as one of Washington State's founding fathers; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington Bush and his wife chose to travel north across the Columbia River to settle in Washington after being turned away from Oregon, where black American exclusion laws kept them from owning land; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington Bush came as a fur trader to the Northwest with his wife and family seeking a place free of prejudice and homesteaded a 640-acre parcel that later became Bush Prairie, now known as Tumwater; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington Bush became a successful farmer and used his resources to sponsor other families to move to the Washington Territory; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington Bush used his wealth to assist those in need; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington Bush was well respected by the local Nisqually Indians for his generosity; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington Bush led by example and taught his six sons to give back to the community; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington Bush worked relentlessly to make Washington territory a state; and
     WHEREAS, Through George Washington Bush and his sons' efforts, Washington became a state 125 years ago on November 11, 1889; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington Bush died before he could realize his dream of statehood for Washington State; and
     WHEREAS, The U.S. Congress approved Washington Territory's petition to become a state on February 22, 1889; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington Bush's son, William Owen Bush, served in the first session of the Washington State Legislature in 1889; and
     WHEREAS, William Owen Bush was the prime sponsor of House Bill No. 90 to establish our state's first agriculture college, which later became Washington State University;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize that George Washington Bush paved the way for our state to have elected officials of all races, colors, and heritages; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize during this month of remembering the Black history the Americans of African descent who have contributed to the vitality of Washington State and the extraordinary contributions of George Washington Bush; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State House of Representatives recognize and express their appreciation for the many benefits of Black History Month to our citizenry and to our culture in general and encourage all citizens of the state of Washington to join in honoring a true American patriot, George Washington Bush.