HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2025

BYRepresentatives Vekich, Schoon, Basich, Prentice, May and Jones

Providing for a maritime commemorative observance.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; Hankins, R. King, Morris, Rector, Sayan and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT MARCH 1, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The year 1992 marks the bicentennial of a number of maritime events in Washington State, including the discovery of the Columbia River and Grays Harbor by Robert Gray, the discovery of Puget Sound by George Vancouver, and the founding of a Spanish outpost at Neah Bay.

In 1985, the Legislature extended the termination date of the Washington State Centennial Commission from 1990 to 1993, giving the Commission the authority to plan a "Return of the Tall Ships" program to commemorate the voyages of Robert Gray, George Vancouver, and Charles Wilkes.  The efforts of the Centennial Commission are to include developing destination tourist attractions and promoting the construction of replicas of the vessels used by early explorers.

The Washington State Historical Society is one of three societies which operate state museums, manage state artifacts, plan celebrations of significant historical events in Washington, and promote Washington state history.

SUMMARY:

The Centennial Commission is to be terminated on June 30, 1990, rather than June 30, 1993, and the statute describing the Centennial Commission's "Return of the Tall Ships" program is repealed.

The Washington State Historical Society is given the responsibility to plan a commemorative celebration of the bicentennial of the maritime accomplishments of Robert Gray and George Vancouver, and the establishment of a Spanish outpost at Neah Bay.

The celebration is to include coordinated activities with the Grays Harbor Tall Ships construction program, museum exhibitions, a maritime commemorative markers program along Washington waterways, and other festivals and symposia.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 22, 1989.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Max Vekich, prime sponsor; Ralph Munro, Secretary of State (partly for); and Lou Stewart, Washington State Centennial Commission (partly for).

House Committee - Testified Against:      Ralph Munro, Secretary of State (partly against); and Lou Stewart, Washington State Centennial Commission (partly against).

House Committee - Testimony For:    It is important to carefully plan the bicentennial of some of the most significant maritime events in history, and the Centennial Commission may not be able to best prepare the celebration.  This bill recognizes the great contributions made by Spanish explorers in the Pacific Northwest.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      The Centennial Commission is already planning a celebration for 1992, and it doesn't make sense to duplicate efforts.  The Commission has a successful record in planning such events.