SENATE BILL REPORT

SCR 8412

BYSenators Hayner, Sellar, Vognild and Warnke

Creating a committee on the Spanish Quincentennial.

Senate Committee on Rules

Majority Report:     Boosted to Second Reading.

Senate Staff:Charles Woods (786-7452)

                April 12, 1989

House Committe on Rules

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 31, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The year 1992 will mark the 500th anniversary of the first voyage of Christopher Columbus to the Americas, and the bicentennial of the founding of a Spanish-American outpost at Neah Bay, which was the first European settlement in the state of Washington.  It has been suggested that these events be celebrated appropriately.

SUMMARY:

Intent is declared that the Legislature should assume a leading role in developing the resources necessary to recognize these events in partnership with the business, cultural and educational communities of the state.

A select committee known as the 1992 Washington Spanish Quincentennial Committee is created.  Its membership includes four members of the Senate, two from each caucus, to be named by the President of the Senate, and four from the House of Representatives, to be named by the Speaker.  The permanent chair is selected by vote of committee members.

The committee will request Governor Booth Gardner to serve as Honorary Chair, and both Lieutenant Governor Joel Pritchard and Secretary of State Ralph Munro, to serve as Honorary Vice Chairs.

The committee is directed to encourage citizen participation in cultural events within the context of the Christopher Columbus Quincentennial; seek citizen assistance in achieving these goals by appointing appropriate advisory or other committees; and plan a series of public events to further the purposes of the Resolution.

Staff for the committee is provided by the Senate Economic Development and Labor Committee and the House Committee on Trade and Economic Development.  The committee will cease to exist on December 31, 1992.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Appointments by Legislature Required: Eight, including four from each caucus in the Senate and four from each caucus in the House of Representatives.

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

The history of Spanish-Mexican exploration and development of the Pacific Northwest is chronicled.  No substantive changes are made to the committee's makeup or duties.