First time in state history: two African-Americans hold the gavel

Sen. Franklin and Rep. Lovick preside over joint House-Senate session Feb. 17

Feb. 16, 2005

 

OLYMPIA – For the first time in state history, two African-American lawmakers will preside over a joint session of the Legislature Thursday, Feb. 17.

 

Rep. John Lovick (D-Mill Creek) is Speaker Pro Tem of the House and typically holds the gavel when the House meets as a body; Sen. Rosa Franklin (D-Tacoma) is President Pro Tem of the Senate and runs the Senate when Lt. Gov Brad Owen – the president of the Senate – is unavailable.

 

"It’s a testament to the strength and diversity of our state," Franklin said. "Washington was settled by pioneers and immigrants from all over the world, and we’ve kept that tradition of tolerance and openness today. It’s no coincidence that our state traditionally elects more women lawmakers than any other state."

 

Lovick and Franklin already made a mark when they were elected by the House and Senate to positions no African-American had held in Washington state.

 

"As a kid growing up in Louisiana, during Segregation," said Lovick, "I didn’t think this was possible. Even as a grown man, running for the Mill Creek City Council seemed impossible – until my son challenged me when I said it couldn’t happen. He said, ‘Why not?’ And he was right. I hope kids see Sen. Franklin and myself as proof that with hard work, you can take down barriers and start a trail for others."

 

The joint session comes in the middle of Black History Month, which both the House and the Senate recognized this past week with the passage of resolution’s celebrating the lives of black Civil War veterans, pioneers and community activists across the nation and here in Washington.

 

Reprinted from the website of the Washington State Legislature

 

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