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HOUSE BILL 1570
State of Washington 58th Legislature 2003 Regular Session
By Representatives Kessler and Kenney
AN ACT Relating to the state poet laureate; adding a new section to chapter 43.46 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. The legislature wishes to recognize: The value of poetry and the contribution Washington poets make to the culture of our state; that poetry is a literary form respected and growing throughout all segments of Washington's population; that awareness and appreciation of poetry encourages increased literacy and advanced communication skills; and that Washington state has produced many excellent and nationally recognized poets.
NEW SECTION. Sec. A new section is added to chapter 43.46 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The state of Washington shall create the position of state poet laureate. The poet laureate shall engage in activities to promote and encourage poetry within the state, including but not limited to a minimum of twenty readings, workshops, lectures, and/or presentations for Washington educational institutions and communities in geographically diverse areas over a two-year term.
(2) Selection of a poet laureate shall be made by a committee appointed by the Washington commission for the humanities or successor agency and may include representatives of the Washington state library, education community, Washington state arts commission, Washington commission for the humanities, publishing, and the community of Washington poets, to be coordinated by the Washington commission for the humanities or successor agency.
(3) The poet laureate must be a published poet, resident of Washington state, active in the poetry community, and willing and able to promote poetry in the state of Washington throughout the two-year term.
(4) The poet laureate may not serve more than two consecutive two-year terms. Administration of the poet laureate program shall be by the Washington commission for the humanities or successor agency.
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Congratulations to Reps. Lynn Kessler and Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney
for figuring out how to frivolously waste (as in "spend, spend, spend") more
taxpayer dollars, especially in a time of major deficits. (What's that? You
mean the state poet laureate has to do all that on her own dime?)
Rep. Lynn Kessler (D), Majority Leader, 24th Legislative District
Olympia Office:
PO Box 40600
Mod 2 Building - rm 104-C
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7904
kessler_ly@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney (D), 46th Legislative District
PO Box 40600
304 John L. O'Brien Bldg.
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7818
kenney_ph@leg.wa.gov