NOON SESSION

Senate Chamber, Olympia

Monday, June 19, 2017

The Senate was called to order at 12:00 o’clock noon by the President of the Senate, Lt. Governor Habib presiding. No roll call was taken.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, the Senate advanced to the third order of business.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTS

June 12, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

JARON E. REED GODDARD, appointed June 12, 2017 beginning July 1, 2017, for the term ending June 30, 2018, as Member of the University of Washington Board of Regents.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9281.

June 19, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

NAOL D. DEBELE, appointed June 13, 2017 beginning July 1, 2017, for the term ending June 30, 2018, as Member of the Edmonds Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9282.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, all appointees listed on the Gubernatorial Appointments report were referred to the committees as designated.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, the Senate advanced to the eighth order of business.

MOTION

Senator Saldaña moved adoption of the following resolution:

SENATE RESOLUTION

8671

By Senators Saldaña and Darneille

WHEREAS, More than two and one-half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved people — men, women, and children — in Galveston, Texas had not yet received word that the enslaved were now free; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth Independence Day commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston and issued an order announcing that the Civil War had ended and slaves were free at last; and

WHEREAS, The following year, the freed people of Texas and other Southwestern states celebrated emancipation on June 19th, a tradition that traveled with them as they relocated to new states; and

WHEREAS, Observation of this day began to wane outside of Texas, but was revived, in part, when Coretta Scott King and Reverend Ralph Abernathy held Solidarity Day on June 19, 1968, as part of the Poor People's Campaign, which was organized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before his assassination; and

WHEREAS, Now, more than 150 years after the first celebration, Juneteenth is recognized as an official holiday in 45 states, including the state of Washington; and

WHEREAS, The history behind this celebration should never be forgotten; and

WHEREAS, On Juneteenth we honor the resolve, tenacity, and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves who remain an example for all people of all races, religions, genders, and sexual orientations in the United States; and

WHEREAS, This historical day is also a time to recommit ourselves to the work that remains to be done, work that must be done by all of us; and

WHEREAS, Today, we rededicate ourselves to fight for equality and equity for all with an understanding of the past that must inform our future;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day and encourage the celebration of this holiday every year.

Senators Saldaña and Chase spoke in favor of adoption of the resolution.

The President declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8671.

The motion by Senator Saldaña carried and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

MOTION

At 12:11 p.m., on motion of Senator Fain, the Senate adjourned until 12:00 o'clock noon Wednesday, June 21, 2017.

CYRUS HABIB, President of the Senate

HUNTER G. GOODMAN, Secretary of the Senate