Browsed by
Tag: Lt. Gov. Brad Owen

State presents Medal of Merit, Medal of Valor

State presents Medal of Merit, Medal of Valor

Secretary of State Wyman speaks about the Medal of Merit during the ceremony in the House Chambers to present that award and the Medal of Valor. (Photo courtesy Legislative Support Services Photo Department)  It was a day of applause and deep respect and admiration, as the state of Washington awarded the  Medal of Merit to two game-changing citizens and the Medal of Valor to Snohomish County communities and tribe who responded heroically to the Oso landslide tragedy one year ago….

Read More Read More

WA Legislature convenes with Senate drama

WA Legislature convenes with Senate drama

Secretary of State Wyman (left) and Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen smile as Sen. Pam Roach signals to her colleagues after being sworn in.   (Photos courtesy of Benjamin Helle) Washington’s 64th Legislature got off to a peaceful start in the House and some unexpected fireworks in the Senate. Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, newly re-elected after a bruising challenge from a fellow Republican in the General Election, caught her GOP caucus off-guard by teaming with 23 minority Democrats and fellow…

Read More Read More

Happy 125th birthday, Washington!

Happy 125th birthday, Washington!

Members of the 2014 Capsule Keepers sit on the Rotunda floor as they and hundreds of others listen to the state’s 125th birthday celebration program in the Capitol. You only turn 125 once. And the state of Washington did it right. Hundreds gathered in the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday afternoon to join in the state’s 125th birthday celebration. Among the state officials speaking at the event were Gov. Jay Inslee (First Lady Trudi Inslee also spoke) and Secretary of State Kim…

Read More Read More

Flags lowered as we remember Oso

Flags lowered as we remember Oso

As a lone bagpiper played a mournful “Amazing Grace” at the top of the Capitol steps, state troopers slowly lowered flags to half-staff in honor of those who lost their lives in the Oso landslide tragedy — and the communities and responders who continue to offer care and comfort. Gov. Jay Inslee, joined by Secretary of State Kim Wyman,  Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and First Lady Trudi Inslee, told a noon gathering of school children and state workers on Tuesday…

Read More Read More

International Humphrey Fellows visit Olympia

International Humphrey Fellows visit Olympia

The Office of Secretary of State enjoyed hosting a bright young group of international visitors who are Humphrey Fellows at the Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington. The mid-career Fellows are from Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Colombia, Vietnam, El Salvador, Panama and Azerbaijan.  They already have significant achievements in government, NGOs and the private sector back home. The group received a briefing in Secretary of State Sam Reed’s private office (in the…

Read More Read More

Celebrating our Spanish roots

Celebrating our Spanish roots

Much is written of our Native American forebears, Lewis & Clark and westward expansion, British  and Canadian exploration and settlement, and the early presence of Russians in the region.  Less attention seems to be paid to the early Spanish explorers who pre-dated Lewis and Clark, lending their names to many present-day Washington place names. The story of Spanish exploration, including a short-lived settlement at Neah Bay, was the fascinating narrative told by scholar, anthropologist and lecturer Leoncio Cerretero  at the…

Read More Read More

Honored friends visit Capitol

Honored friends visit Capitol

Consuls from 17 countries were honored guests today in the Capitol for the State of the State Address.  Before the Governor gave her address, Lt. Governor Brad Owen, Secretary of State Sam Reed and legislators warmly welcomed the members at a reception held in the Lt. Governor’s office. Countries represented included: Hungary, Belgium, Croatia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Russia, Spain, Uganda, Uzbekistan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

Sir Brad-a-lot ventures out with the wailers …

Sir Brad-a-lot ventures out with the wailers …

Our lieutenant governor, Brad Owen, is quite the stickler for decorum as he presides over the state Senate. But the bearded one, who was knighted by Spain last year, can really cut loose when his inner rocker comes out to play.  Over the weekend, he jammed with the Ventures and the Fabulous Wailers at the Moore Theater in Seattle, playing sax on “Surf Rider.” When the Legislature isn’t in session, Owen is known for doing rock-based school assemblies, touting drug-free young lives of accomplishment and service. His office…

Read More Read More