Former U.S. Rep. Jolene Unsoeld (left) and Secretary Wyman share a laugh during speech by Bill Ruckelshaus.

A new exhibit has opened at the State Capitol honoring Bill Ruckelshaus, Jolene Unsoeld and other extraordinary Washingtonians.

“Who are we?” launched in ceremonies Thursday. It features historic photos and compelling life stories of newsmakers who’ve overcome long odds and influenced the state. The exhibit, created by the office’s Legacy Washington program and printed with private dollars, will be on display at the Office of Secretary of State in Olympia through July 2017 before moving to the Karshner Center in Puyallup.

The exhibit launch featured a diverse group of Washingtonians from all over the state and dancers from the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, a Tacoma landmark founded by exhibit honoree Patsy Suhr O’Connell.

Dancers with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center perform in the Rotunda.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman told attendees that the new exhibit “celebrates the kaleidoscope of Washington—a state constantly reinventing itself with new people and new ideas.”

“What’s so great about ‘Who are we?’ is that it recognizes Washington as an extraordinary place with diverse, resilient people,” Wyman continued. “This group has worked alongside some of history’s most memorable figures—like Martin Luther King Jr., Ronald Reagan and Tom Foley. Collectively, our honorees have fought for our civil rights, advocated for the disabled, protected our environment and defended the nation.”

Featured speakers included Ruckelshaus, the former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; Duane French, a disability activist; and JoAnn Kauffman, an advocate for Indian health and justice.

Exhibit honorees join Secretary Wyman and Legacy Washington’s John C. Hughes (standing second from right) after the exhibit launch ceremony.

Others honored at the exhibit launch were:
• The Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, the Seattle civil rights activist.
• Latino winemakers Amy Alvarez-Wampfler and Victor Palencia. Also honored was Dr. Carol Clarke, the widow of Stan Clarke, who mentored the two winemakers when they were students at Walla Walla Community College. Alvarez-Wampfler and alencia was unable to attend.
• Unsoeld, the former state legislator and member of Congress who represented Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.
• Hank Adams, an Assiniboine-Sioux member who has been involved in key events involving Native Americans, from the 1973 Wounded Knee standoff to the landmark Boldt Decision to salmon preservation.
• Rudy Lopez, who achieved the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force – command chief master sergeant – and currently directs the Veterans Cemetery near Spokane.
• Aberdeen Mayor Erik Larson, who was elected a year ago at age 23 and is the youngest mayor of a sizable city in state history.

Profiles have been released this year on McKinney, French, Alvarez-Wampfler Palencia, Kauffman and Unsoeld. The Adams profile is slated for a September launch, followed by the Ruckelshaus profile release in October. Profiles on Lopez, Larson and Suhr O’Connell are scheduled to be unveiled in November.

In addition to the State Capitol exhibit, Who are we? includes in-depth profiles that will be available to schools across the state and libraries all over the country.

TVW, the state’s public affairs stations, covered the exhibit launch and will air it in the coming weeks, starting next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. You can also view it online.