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: Senators Franklin, Schmidt, Oke, Rasmussen, Thibaudeau, Kohl-Welles, Pflug, Regala, Parlette, Pridemore, Hargrove, Fraser, Hewitt, Doumit, Spanel, Prentice, Stevens, McAuliffe, Mulliken, Haugen, Berkey, Swecker, Carrell, Fairley, Kline, Keiser, Kastama, Shin, Delvin, Roach, Poulsen, Sheldon, Eide, Johnson and Rockefeller.

Brief History:

Education: 3/23/05, 3/28/05 [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: (In support) Many women served directly in the war theater in World War II. Others served on the home front, for example, in airplane factories, as air raid wardens, and through tending victory gardens. These women are in or reaching their senior years and those that remain are becoming increasingly fragile. About 1500 veterans a day are dying. This number doesn't count the women who served at home in roles like that of Rosie the Riveter. It is time to complete the circle and capture their memories before they leave us. Their memories will help other generations understand the sacrifices for family, state, and country, made by the members of this greatest generation. The Veteran's History Project has helped to capture many of the memories of veterans, especially men who served in the war. This bill will help complement that effort by recording the memories of women as well.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Franklin, prime sponsor; Edna Fund, "Rosies & the Guys Reunion;" and Carole Watson, Veterans History Project.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.