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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control

WALeg Day 19: Welcome to Hawkington?

OLYMPIA -- Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Wells, D-Seattle, urges colleagues to vote for a Seahawks resolution, and commends them for their support but reminds some of them they voted against the new stadium in 1998:
OLYMPIA -- Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Wells, D-Seattle, urges colleagues to vote for a Seahawks resolution, and commends them for their support but reminds some of them they voted against the new stadium in 1998: "Better late than never." (Jim Camden)
OLYMPIA -- Which of the following has not happened at the Capitol today? 
A. Seahawks jerseys replaced business attire in the Legislature.
B. 12 flags shared desk space with the Stars and Strips on Senate desks.
C. Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of State Kim Wyman gathered with fans on the Capitol steps to chant "Seahawks" to the beat of a drum during a gubernatorially proclaimed Moment of Loudness.
D. The Senate asked Inslee to rename the state Hawkington for the weekend.
Trick question. All of that happened by noon as state officials came down with a serious case of blue and green fever with the Super Bowl approaching.
The normally staid dress code of the Legislature was relaxed to allow Seahawks jerseys, sweatshirts, caps and scarves. Some members who didn't come with the proper attire felt the need to borrow some. In the Senate, where the 49 desks had American flags on one corner and blue and white 12 flags on the other, members approved a resolution honoring members of the National Guard for their service and another for the football team.
A similar resolution on the Seahawks was approved before last year's Super Bowl win, and Karma dictated another one be approved this year, Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, said. The text of the resolution mentioned highlights of the NFC championship game and its aftermath, and Hargrove, who affected a Marshawn Lynch demeanor to exaggerate his reluctance to deal with reporters, mentioned one colleague who gave up on that game before it was over.
Part of the resolution asked Inslee to rename the state Hawkington until 12:01 a.m. Monday. Not clear is whether the Senate will seek a permanent name change if the Seahawks win.
Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Wells, D-Seattle, chided long-time members who in 1998 voted against a bill for a new football stadium as late-comers to Seahawks fandom.  "I'm not going to name names. But I have the recorded votes."
She  made an exception for Hargrove, who she said voted different than she did, adding "Better late than never."
A few minutes later Inslee and Wyman gathered with scores of Seahawks faithful in all manner of attire, and joined a prolonged "Seahawks-Seahawks-Seahawks" chant that filled the foggy Capitol surroundings. Inslee, who will travel to Phoenix tomorrow and attend Sunday's game, led cheers with a microphone then waded into the crowd for high fives with fellow fans.


Jim Camden
Jim Camden joined The Spokesman-Review in 1981 and retired in 2021. He is currently the political and state government correspondent covering Washington state.

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