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SR8694 • 2026
Celebrating civil, open-minded discussion aimed at building bridges in order to depolarize the community, strengthen relationships, and improve our ability to coexist.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Civil discussion
Adopted.
Civil discussion
WHEREAS, The United States was founded on the idea that public 1 discourse is a necessary part of democracy; and 2 WHEREAS, A strong democracy depends on an informed and engaged 3 public willing to listen, question, and engage respectfully with 4 people who hold different perspectives; and 5 WHEREAS, Young people are not merely future participants in civic 6 life but current stakeholders, and providing students with real 7 opportunities to practice civil discourse strengthens both their 8 education and the democratic system itself; and 9 WHEREAS, Classroom-based civic education that emphasizes media 10 literacy, respectful debate, and collaboration across differences 11 helps students better understand the responsibilities that come with 12 democratic participation and prepares them for active citizenship;13 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington state Senate 14 celebrate the value of civil, open-minded discussion aimed at 15 building bridges in order to depolarize the community, strengthen 16 relationships, and improve our ability to coexist; and17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington state Senate 18 recognize and commend the students of Marysville Getchell High 19 School, particularly those in Mr. Natterstad's Advanced Placement 20 Government class, for their thoughtful engagement with issues of 21 political polarization, media literacy, and democratic participation; 22 and 23 SENATE RESOLUTION 8694 By Senators Lovick and Hasegawa p. 1 8694 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington state Senate 1 acknowledge the partnership between Mr. Natterstad's Advanced 2 Placement Government class and the building bridges program for 3 creating space where students can practice respectful dialogue, 4 critical thinking, and civic responsibility; and 5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 6 transmitted to Marysville Getchell High School, Mr. Natterstad, 7 the students of the Advanced Placement Government class, and the 8 building bridges program. 9 I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate, 10 do hereby certify that this is a true and 11 correct copy of Senate Resolution 8694, 12 adopted by the Senate 13 February 23, 2026 14 SARAH BANNISTER 15 Secretary of the Senate 16 p. 2 8694