BySenators Hunt, Lovick, Van De Wege, Valdez, Salomon, Wagoner, Padden, Braun, Torres, Short, Robinson, Billig, Hansen, Shewmake, Schoesler, Rivers, L. Wilson, Warnick, Hawkins, McCune, Dozier, Gildon, Holy, MacEwen, Liias, Wellman, Nobles, Keiser, Kuderer, Fortunato, Pedersen, Conway, Hasegawa, Trudeau, J. Wilson, Boehnke, King, and Cleveland

WHEREAS, The Territory of Washington was created by the act of congress and approved by President Millard Fillmore on March 2, 1853; and

WHEREAS, A proclamation issued by newly appointed Governor Isaac I. Stevens established the government of Washington Territory under the terms of the organic act passed by congress in 1853, and designated the city of Olympia, which had been established on the southernmost part of Puget Sound on the traditional lands of the Squaxin Tribe, as the temporary Territorial Capital; and

WHEREAS, 170 years ago, on Monday, February 27, 1854, pursuant to the gubernatorial proclamation, the first legislative assembly of the Territory of Washington composed of a nine-member council and an 18-member House of representatives, convened; and

WHEREAS, Lacking a suitable capitol building, the Territorial Assembly of 1854 assembled on the second floor of the Parker & Colter store on main street (now capitol way) in Olympia; and

WHEREAS, The legislators, elected on January 30, 1854, from the eight counties, were a reflection of their communities and included farmers, mercantilists, lawyers, and other occupations; and

WHEREAS, The First Territorial Assembly of 1854, limited to a 100-day session, closed with only 36 days to spare adjourning sine die May 1, 1854, having lasted 64 days; and

WHEREAS, The First Territorial Assembly accomplished more than expected, including outlining criminal and civil codes; creating a school system; authorizing construction and maintenance of infrastructure such as wharves and roads; setting marriage and divorce standards; establishing new counties and county offices; expanding the House by an additional four representatives; and adopting a territorial seal; and

WHEREAS, The progress and success of the First Territorial Assembly would not have been possible without the assistance and enthusiastic support of Olympia, the city's 300 to 400 residents, surrounding communities, and local business interests;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate honor and remember the First Washington Territorial Legislature of 1854 as well as the contributions of the local communities, both native and nonnative alike, which allowed this democratic institution to gain a foothold and later flourish in the furthest reaches of the Nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Honorable Dontae Payne, Mayor of Olympia, the Honorable Kris Peters, Chair, Squaxin Tribe, and Mr. Greg Griffith, President, Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum.