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Category: Governor’s Office

Lois and John Spellman
The remarkable, formidable Lois Spellman

The remarkable, formidable Lois Spellman

Former Washington State First Lady Lois Spellman died Thursday, January 25th, just days after the passing of her husband, former Washington State Governor John D. Spellman. Lois Elizabeth Murphy was born in 1927 in Havre, Montana. She and her husband prayed the Rosary together every night before bed for all 63 years of their marriage. They have six children and six grandchildren. Legacy Washington Chief Historian and Spellman biographer John Hughes remembers Lois in his book about the former governor: In…

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John Spellman
Remembering Governor Spellman

Remembering Governor Spellman

The Jan. 16 death of former Gov. John D. Spellman at 91 prompted personal reminiscences from several staffers in the Office of the Secretary of State who knew Spellman during and after his 1981-85 time in state office. State Archivist Steve Excell, who served as Gov. Spellman’s chief of staff, said in a television interview with KING-5 that Spellman had changed his life, as well as those of countless Washingtonians. “He was a true statesman,” Excell said. “He was a…

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WA 2016 Election: The count goes on

WA 2016 Election: The count goes on

As Washington’s vote tally continues through the week, voters were re-electing most incumbents and siding with Hillary Clinton in her losing White House bid. Before Wednesday’s updates, more than 2 million votes had been counted, better than 48 percent of the record 4.24 million ballots that were sent out last month.  Counties reported receiving 2.7 million ballots by mail or drop box, a 63 percent return rate, as of Election Day, not counting evening drop box pickups. Heavy mail volumes…

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From the Archives: governors’ news conference photos

From the Archives: governors’ news conference photos

(Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives) Those of you who have watched Gov. Inslee or any of his predecessors hold a news conference on TV know that such events are typically held in the Governor’s Conference Room. It’s a large, formal-looking room to the left of the front lobby in the Governor’s Office. Our State Archives has many photos of news conferences held by Washington governors over the years. The top photo shows Gov. Dan Evans answering reporters’ questions during…

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Wyman & Inslee certify 2014 election

Wyman & Inslee certify 2014 election

Secretary Wyman and Governor Inslee share a laugh before certifying election results in his office. It’s one for the history books: Secretary Wyman and Governor Inslee have certified the 2014 elections. The governor and the state’s chief elections officer met in Inslee’s office Tuesday to certify the returns, including races for Congress and Legislature, ballot measures, and the courts. Counties certified other results last week. Democrat Inslee and Republican Wyman bantered as they signed individual election certificates. Inslee, who was…

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RIP Billy Frank Jr.: `A singular force’

RIP Billy Frank Jr.: `A singular force’

(Photo courtesy of Laura Mott) Billy Frank Jr., a central figure in the decades-long struggle for tribal fishing rights, has died at age 83. Frank, longtime chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Evergreen trustee and civic activist, was subject of a well-received Legacy Project book, “Where the Salmon Run: The Life and Legacy of Billy Frank Jr.”  It is available free online, and for sale in print.It was written by Trova Heffernan and published by the University of Washington…

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State employee/manager award nom due

State employee/manager award nom due

Do you know a state employee or manager who goes above and beyond the call of duty? You have until this Friday to nominate him or her for one of two state awards. The Extra Mile Award is given to individuals or groups of state employees who surpass expectations for exemplary public service by demonstrating attributes such as: •    Innovative techniques and methods •    Outstanding leadership •    Visionary thinking •    Personal valor or bravery •    Outstanding customer service •    Or…

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12th Man lets loose at Seahawks’ homestate Capitol

12th Man lets loose at Seahawks’ homestate Capitol

(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 the Broncos, many fans around the Capitol couldn’t go north because they work for the Legislature, which is in the middle of its 60-day session. But that didn’t stop a large contingent of the 12th Man from gathering on the north steps of the Legislative Building to cheer…

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Statewide officials show support for libraries

Statewide officials show support for libraries

Secretary of State Wyman signs the Declaration for the Right to Libraries in the Governor’s Conference Room. Secretary of State Kim Wyman joined Gov. Jay Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn in showing their support for Washington’s libraries by jointly signing a Declaration for the Right to Libraries in the Governor’s Conference Room Wednesday morning. State Librarian Rand Simmons and 25 children, teacher-librarians and library officials were on hand for the signing event. The declaration is a project…

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