From Our Corner

Remembering Boldt Decision 40 years later

Image Judge Boldt (Photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society) Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of a landmark tribal fishing rights ruling by a federal judge that pleased Native Americans and shocked and angered non-Indian fishermen around the Northwest. The polarizing decision unleashed both celebrations and protests on Washington rivers. Major court opinions rarely carry the name of the judge, but the case U.S. v. Washington is… Read more

2014 Proposed Legislation Affecting Libraries 02/07/2014

Courtesy of the Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association Library Related Legislation. The Washington Library Association (WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted weekly on this blog. For information on the legislative process or becoming involved, see the WLA site referenced above.

Bill Title Sponsor Status Date Latest Cmte Mtg Info Companion SHB… Read more

WSL Updates for February 6, 2014

Volume 10, February 6, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) OCLC INTRODUCES WORLDCAT DISCOVERY SERVICES 2) WLA REGISTRATION NOW OPEN 3) DON’T MISS IYOUTH! 4) REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR DIGITAL DIRECTIONS 5) LIBRARIES TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) OCLC INTRODUCES WORLDCAT DISCOVERY SERVICES OCLC introduces WorldCat… Read more

New poet laureate visits Senate, SecState

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(Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services Photo Department)

The Office of Secretary of State was pleased to help welcome Washington's new poet laureate, Seattle-based Elizabeth Austen, to the Capitol on… Read more

From the Archives: Evans-Rozelle letters on NFL expansion team

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(Image courtesy of Washington State Archives)

For so many in our region, the Seattle Seahawks have been as long a Northwest presence as rain, moss, conifers and Mount Rainier. But there are some of us who remember… Read more

12th Man lets loose at Seahawks' homestate Capitol

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(Photo courtesy of Benjamin Helle)

Although hundreds of thousands of fans converged on Downtown Seattle and CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field Wednesday for the parade honoring the Seahawks' Super Bowl win over… Read more

Great day for the 12th Man

Image Walking toward the Legislative Building on the way to work usually is inspiring on its own. But when you see the 12th Man flag flying high outside the Lege on the same day as the Seahawks' Super Bowl parade in Seattle, well, it can give anyone a jolt on this… Read more

Happy 125th birthday to Roslyn

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1930 Labor Day Parade in Roslyn. (Photo courtesy Roslyn Heritage collection)

It’s a small town in Kittitas County, tucked into the foothills of the Cascades a few miles northwest of Cle Elum. Years ago, it was… Read more

Congrats to Seahawks great Walter Jones on HOF selection

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Secretary Wyman talks with Seahawks great Walter Jones in her office after the 12th Man rally in January. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Helle)

Secretary of State Kim Wyman and her staff congratulate retired Seattle Seahawks All-Pro… Read more

My most unforgettable person, Lillian Walker

We begin our celebration of Black History month with this reminiscence of an unforgettable person. John Hughes is the Chief Oral Historian for the Legacy Project, Office of the Secretary of State. From the desk of John Hughes, Historian. In my half century as a journalist and historian, I’ve interviewed three U.S. presidents, governors and senators galore, movie stars and members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But the most unforgettable person I’ve ever met was a tiny, self-effacing 95-… Read more

12th Man is in the (Lege) Building

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(Photo courtesy Heather Lucas)

With the Super Bowl matchup between Seattle and Denver now just almost here, 12th Man pride… Read more

2014 Proposed Legislation Affecting Libraries 01/31/2014

Courtesy of the Legislative Planning Committee, Washington Library Association Library Related Legislation. The Washington Library Association (WLA) tracks state legislative activity that will potentially affect Washington Libraries. Their tracker is posted weekly on this blog. For information on the legislative process or becoming involved, see the WLA site referenced above.

Bill Title Sponsor Status Date Latest Cmte Mtg Info Companion SHB… Read more

Honoring National Guard Day

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(Photos courtesy of Washington State Digital Archives)

In honor of Friday being National Guard Day, here are two classic photos from our State Digital Archives… Read more

Washington State Library, Head Coach

[caption id="attachment_12681" align="aligncenter" width="581"] Image "Go Hawks" @ the Washington State Library[/caption] As today is Seahawk blue Friday my mind as I drove south to my job at the Washington State Library was skittering between thinking about… Read more

Second gun initiative certified

Image Boxes of Initiative 591 signatures were delivered to the Elections Division of the Office of Secretary of State in late November. (UPDATE: Fixes number of signatures filed for I-591) Secretary of State Kim Wyman has officially certified Initiative 591… Read more

C-SPAN channels to feature G2G exhibit, State Library collection

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Secretary Wyman is shown talking about the Grand Coulee to Grunge exhibit during her taping for this weekend's C-SPAN 3 show. (Photo courtesy of Laura Mott)

If you’re a history buff, a fan of our office’s incredibly cool and interesting exhibits, or just… Read more

WSL Special Collections featured on C-SPAN 2's Book TV

Image From the desk of Sean Lanksbury. PNW & Special Collections Librarian This weekend, C-SPAN Cities will be featuring a block of programming on the history and the literary culture of Olympia on its American… Read more

Go Hawks!

Image The 12th man is alive and excited at Washington State Library. The 4th floor windows on the Library’s south side urge the Seahawks to victory in Super Bowl 48! Need something to read before the big game? Here are a few… Read more

Say wow to the cow

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(Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives)

Ah, Dairy Day. Along with Potato Day, Beef Day and, of course, Sine Die, it's one of the favorite days of session for legislators, staffers, lobbyists and anyone else who works around here. It's… Read more

WSL Updates for January 30, 2014

Volume 10, January 30, 2014 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) FIRST TUESDAYS – HUMANITIES WASHINGTON 2) FREE ONLINE ORIENTATION FOR NEW TRUSTEES 3) 2014 BROADBAND GRANT CYCLE 4) CAYAS VISIONARY AWARD NOMINATIONS 5) LIBRARY CE TRAINING INSTITUTE 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) FIRST TUESDAYS – HUMANITIES WASHINGTON Looking for new programming ideas… Read more

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The Washington Office of the Secretary of State’s blog provides from-the-source information about important state news and public services.

This space acts as a bridge between the public and Secretary Steve Hobbs and his staff, and we invite you to contribute often to the conversation here.

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The comments and opinions expressed by users of this blog are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Secretary of State’s Office or its employees. The agency screens all comments in accordance with the Secretary of State’s blog use policy, and only those that comply with that policy will be approved and posted. Outside comments will not be edited by the agency.