OLYMPIA — The Senate acted Friday to make it possible to award one of the state’s highest honors to the communities of Arlington, Oso and Darrington for heroism their residents demonstrated in response to the deadly mudslide last March.
On a 47-0 vote, the Senate passed a bill to allow the state Medal of Valor to be given to a group of people for their efforts to save, or attempt to save, another person’s life. Under existing law, only individuals are eligible to receive this civilian honor.
Senate Bill 5035 now goes to the House where swift passage is expected.
Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, who sponsored the bill, fought back his emotions as he spoke on the Senate floor of how residents rushed in to save lives in the moments after the landslide, and didn’t stop searching for victims until the bodies of all 43 were found.
“I can’t name a hero, because they are all heroes,” he said.
Sen. Marko Liias, D-Everett, added his own praise for the communities.
“Through thousands of acts of courage, the people of the Stillaguamish Valley showed us what it means to be Oso strong,” he said.
If the bill is signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, as expected, it will allow the communities to be nominated.
A committee made up of the governor, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives and chief justice of the state Supreme Court, or their designees, will consider the nominations and make a decision.
Awards are presented by the governor during a joint session of the House and Senate. There has not been a recipient since 2007.
Since its establishment in 2000, the Medal of Valor has only been awarded to eight people. Under state law, it cannot be given to police officers, firefighters, or others whose actions are a result of their public duties as a first responder.
In 2007, Arlington residents Timothy Boursaw and Rick Bowers received the award for saving the lives of two men they pulled from a burning vehicle involved in a head-on collision on Highway 530.
Alana Schutt also received the award that year for saving three men from drowning in Martha Lake after she noticed their boat sinking.
Greg Meinhold, of Everett, received the Medal of Valor in 2006 for saving a man and a dog from drowning in Silver Lake.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com
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