April 6, 2007 

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Arts Commission will be charged with establishing and administering a Poet Laureate Program as the result of legislation passed by the House and Senate. 

HB 1279 was approved by the Senate yesterday on a 45-2 vote.  It passed the House in February 90-5. 

Rep. Lynn Kessler (D – Hoquiam) co-sponsored the bill, which enables a committee, selected by the Commission, to recommend a poet laureate for a two-year term.  The final decision will be made by the Commission, with approval from the Governor. 

“Poetry is a powerful language tool, as well as an artistic medium,” Kessler said.  “The tradition of poets laureate goes all the way back thousands of years to ancient Greece.  In our electronic media-dominated society, we sometimes forget the strength and beauty of the spoken word.” 

The person chosen as Washington’s poet laureate will work to promote and encourage poetry within the state.  Kessler hopes that students in particular will be inspired to read more poetry and express themselves through poetic writing. 

“Words evoke emotions, and they help us cope.  In times of national tragedy, we have turned to our poets and writers,” Kessler said. 

The bill’s prime sponsor is Rep. Mary Skinner (R – Yakima).

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For more information

Rep. Lynn Kessler, (360) 786-7904 

Media Staff Contact:  Jennifer Zahn Spieler (360) 786-7201

Website and print-quality image:

http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/kessler/

Bill information

HB 1279:  http://aor.leg.wa.lcl/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=1279&year=2007

Radio and TV News Directors

To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208.