Legislature honors Medal of Merit recipients

Earlier today the House and Senate convened a joint session to recognize recipients of the Medal of Merit. The Medal is awarded to any person who has been distinguished by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services to the people and state of Washington. It was presented to women's rights advocates Emma Smith DeVoe and May Arkwright Hutton, central-Washington civic leader Wilfred Woods, and philanthropist/community leader William H. Gates, Sr.

Star-struck Capitol visitors and staffers noticed Gates' famous son Bill in the House gallery supporting his father.