House Joint Resolution 3

Oregon Laws 2005

 

AN ACT

 

          Whereas the State of Oregon has a state flag, a state animal (the beaver), a state flower (the Oregon grape), a state bird (the western meadowlark), a state seal, a state tree (the Douglas fir), a state fish (the Chinook salmon), a state gemstone (the sunstone) and a state rock (the thunderegg); and

          Whereas the State of Oregon is the only state in the western half of the continental United States without an official state fossil and remains one of only 16 states without such designation; and

          Whereas a number of organizations and residents representing all areas of Oregon have been engaged in a long-term economic, research and educational effort to draw attention to Oregon’s paleontologic and geologic resources, and designation of an official state fossil will demonstrate support and a visual image for that effort; and

          Whereas the Metasequoia, or dawn redwood, is easily identified, is among the most abundantly found fossils in Oregon today and is widely distributed in the fossil record of western North America; and

          Whereas the Metasequoia represents Oregon’s ancient past as it flourished in the Miocene epoch of 25 to 5 million years ago and left its record embedded in rocks across the Oregon landscape despite volcanic explosions, deep lava flows and earthquakes; and

          Whereas although the Metasequoia became extinct in Oregon five million years ago, paleontologists discovered living 100-foot Metasequoia trees in a remote area of China over 50 years ago and brought specimens back to the United States for propagation, thus ensuring that live Metasequoia trees can be found today; now, therefore,

 

Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:

 

          That the Metasequoia, the symbol of paleontologic and geologic interest that best represents Oregon’s ancient past, is the official fossil of the State of Oregon.

 

Filed in the Office of the Secretary of State May 12, 2005

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