Whitman statues should remain in Capitol building, part of history

The culture, heritage and history of Eastern Washington — indeed all of Washington and Oregon history — is under fire again in Olympia.

I’m talking about an effort this year in the House to erase Marcus Whitman’s significance from the halls of the Capitol building in Olympia and the national statuary in Washington, D.C.

Pushed by lawmakers, who obviously lack a full understanding of Whitman’s significance, House Bill 1372 seeks to replace the bronze Marcus Whitman statues with a new statue of Billy Frank Jr.

Yes, Billy Frank Jr. has been prominent in state matters involving Washington tribes....