Title: An act relating to recording the oral histories of women who contributed to their communities, the state, or the nation during World War II.

Brief Description: Including women's contributions in the World War II oral history project.

Sponsors: Representatives Strow, Talcott, Kenney, Woods, Darneille, Bailey, Green, Holmquist, Shabro, Moeller, Walsh, Williams, Skinner, Dunshee, Kristiansen, Pearson, Sommers, Dickerson, Conway, Clements, Linville, Haler, Upthegrove, Hasegawa, P. Sullivan, Clibborn, Lovick, Chase, Jarrett, Rodne, Blake, Ericks, Sells, Appleton, McCoy, McDonald, Dunn, DeBolt, Lantz, Santos, Roberts, Hudgins, Ahern, McCune, Alexander, Kretz, Hankins, Haigh, Tom, Kilmer, Schual-Berke, McDermott, Newhouse, Condotta, Kagi and Serben.

Brief History:

Education: 2/7/05, 2/14/05 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; P. Sullivan, Vice Chair; Talcott, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Curtis, Haigh, Hunter, McDermott, Santos, Shabro and Tom.

Staff: Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:

During the 2000 Session, the Legislature approved two bills intended both to preserve the memories of Washington's citizens who were impacted by World War II and to create instructional materials designed to ensure that the state's students learned of the sacrifices and contributions of these citizens.

Through E2SHB 1572, the Washington Civil Liberties Public Education program was created to develop educational materials on the internment of Washingtonians of Japanese ancestry during World War II. The program was also designed to help students old and young understand the causes and circumstances of both the internments and other issues that can impact civil liberties. The program has been funded at $146,000 to $150,000 per year since its enactment.

In SHB 2418, the World War II Oral History project was created to preserve the history and memories of citizens who contributed to the state and nation during the war. The project was funded at $146,000 to $150,000 per year through the 2003 fiscal year. The funding was used to create lesson plans including a video entitled "When We Were Kids .... We Went to War." The funding also supported the preparation and preservation of over 130 oral histories and the design of instructional materials to help students learn how to preserve the oral histories of relatives and members of their communities.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature finds that women made essential contributions to the state and nation during World War II. The contributions were made many different ways, including serving in or supporting the military, working in industrial plants, raising families, educating children, and caring for the ill and elderly. The Legislature finds that women in all these roles made sacrifices that were necessary for the nation's defense. They also made contributions essential to the well-being of the people back home.

Any funding provided to the World War II Oral History Project during the 2005-07 biennium will be used to record the memories of women who served their state or nation during the war. The types of contributions may include military service or national or community contributions during that time.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: This act takes effect August 1, 2005.

Testimony For: Women made many valuable contributions at home and abroad during World War II. Half of the aircraft delivered to the war zone were flown by women pilots. These pilots had no armaments and no defense. Other women held their families and communities together while their husbands and fathers fought in the war. Others still were teachers, nurses, and workers in the industries supporting the troops. These women are now in their eighties and nineties. We need to record their memories while they are still alive to share them with us.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Strow, prime sponsor; and Robert Butts, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.