Washington could get a new state flag if a proposed bill becomes law.
House Bill 1938, if approved, would establish a committee to oversee the process of designing and adopting a new state flag.
Why It Matters
The Washington state flag consists of the state seal, which features a portrait of George Washington, set against a green backdrop.
The bill’s text says the current flag is often criticized for its “poor design and lack of relevance to the state’s identity” and that because it features a detailed portrait of the nation’s first president, it is “overly complex and difficult to reproduce.”
It also states that while Washington “is an important national figure, he has limited historical connection to the state itself” which “makes his image less meaningful as a symbol for the state.”
A member of the Washington State Guard holds the flag of Washington state on November 11, 2024, in Seattle. A member of the Washington State Guard holds the flag of Washington state on November 11, 2024, in Seattle. Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo
What To Know
The committee to redesign the flag would consist of the director of the Washington state arts commission, state lawmakers from both parties, a historian, cultural leaders and tribal representatives, among others.
They would be charged with developing a new design for state flag that “accurately and respectfully reflects Washington’s shared history, resources and diverse cultural communities,” according to the bill.
The committee will have to solicit feedback from the public before settling on a final design by July 1, 2028. It will be put before voters in a referendum before it can be adopted.
The bill was given a public hearing on Tuesday afternoon.
Supporters argued that it was an opportunity for civic engagement and to design a flag that better represents the state, while opponents said that changing it would be an affront to Washington and that lawmakers should focus on other issues.
What People Are Saying
State Representative Strom Peterson, a Democrat who is sponsoring the bill, said during Tuesday’s hearing: “This bill is not an attempt to erase George Washington or cancel George Washington from the history of our country or the history of this state (…) what this bill wants to do, or what I hope this bill is attempting to do, is really create an opportunity for civic engagement across the state.”
He added that it was an opportunity to design a flag that “reflects the history, reflects the culture, reflects our diversity, and the physical beauty of this state.”
Emmet O’Connell, who testified in support of the bill during Tuesday’s hearing, said: “Creating a broad, open and public process to design a new flag, one that reflects our entire state, doesn’t mean we’re ignoring the challenges we face.”
O’Connell added: “Nothing in this bill requires us to remove George Washington (…) This bill gives us a chance to engage the public in a meaningful way and to choose a flag that represents who we are today. Our state deserves a flag that isn’t just something we inherited, but something that inspired us.”
Ryan Jewell, who opposes the bill, said during the hearing: “I find the flag redesign a loss focus on issues that truly matter and [will] likely place tension and division.”
He added: “No other state is named after a president. We are also the only state to display a person with such significance. President Washington has been flown powerfully over our state for more than 100 years. Let’s not be the generation responsible for ripping him off of that sacred place.”
State Representative Hunter Abell, a Republican, said in a statement on Monday: “To be the only state in the nation to be named after a president is a distinct honor. One that we should not take for granted and we certainly should not be ashamed of or attempt to eliminate him from our flag.” Abell recently introduced legislation that would change Presidents’ Day to George Washington’s Birthday.
What’s Next
Lawmakers have not yet voted on House Bill 1938.
If it becomes law, voters will have to approve the redesign in a referendum before it can be officially adopted as the state’s flag.
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