WA Lege Day 17: Orange ribbons for DOT worker

OLYMPIA — Legislators were sporting bright orange ribbons on their lapels in memory of a state worker killed earlier this month by a falling tree.

The orange loops — a shape made familiar during the first Gulf War and the same one used for the black and white ribbons worn Tuesday night in Congress for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords — were made of the reflecting plastic worn by road crews.

They were worn as the Legislature passed a resolution honoring Billy Rhynalds, of North Bend, was a 12-year employee of the Washington Department of Transportation, killed on Jan. 16 while working to set up cones that would keep drivers on Highway 203 away from downed electrical lines. A cottonwood tree fell and hit him.