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King County
Executive Office
Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711
Image: King County Exeutive Ron Sims, News Release

March 11, 2007

New logo represents values of county and its citizens

New king county logoThe proposed new King County logo, an original graphic image of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was unveiled at a community celebration attended by current and former county elected leaders, the governor and community leaders.

Tomorrow's historic vote by the King County Council on whether to adopt the new logo is the culmination of a 20-year effort to change the county's namesake from a 19th Century slave-owner and change its logo from a gold crown to an image of Dr. King.

"We are a community and region that strives to live the legacy of Dr. King where diversity, equality and justice are valued as we meet the challenges of the 21st century," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "This symbol instantly sends a message about our government and our values. Council Chair Larry Gossett is to be commended for persevering in making this change."

Many communities have named schools, buildings, parks and streets after Dr. King, but King County will be the first in the nation to adopt the civil rights leader and Nobel Laureate as its logo.

Logo unveilingKing County was originally named in 1852 after then-Vice President William Rufus de Vane King, a plantation slave owner from Selma, Alabama, and a strong supporter of the Fugitive Slave Act. In 1986, King County Councilmembers Bruce Laing and Sims successfully sponsored the name change to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The legislature didn't officially approve the change until 2005, after six years of effort by key legislators.

Councilmember Larry Gossett first introduced legislation to change the county's logo from the gold crown to the image of Dr. King in 1999, it was reintroduced in 2005. State Legislators Adam Kline, George Fleming, Eric Pettigrew and Sharon Tomiko Santos were also instrumental in building support for the change at the state level. Governor Christine Gregoire signed the name change legislation April 19, 2005. Once the state approved the name change, the council approved the logo change in February 2006.

"Martin Luther King Jr. taught us all about the value of patience and perseverance in the face of obstacles," said Gossett. "I am grateful that after 20 years of work, we can now celebrate seeing our vision become reality."

In 2006, the county embarked on a nearly year-long process that included choosing an artist to create the new logo, and involving community members, county employees and county technical staff in the process to provide input on what the design should look like.

County leaders chose Tony Gable Design Group of Seattle out of 29 firms competing for the contract, the largest response to a design contract in county history. Gable impressed the design selection committee with his experience, diverse design work, knowledge of the community and passion for the project.

After community leaders and county staff helped narrow logo options, the final logo design was chosen by a committee comprised of Sims, Gossett, Prosecutor Norm Maleng, Sheriff Sue Rahr and Superior Court Presiding Judge Michael Trickey.

The county is using a low-cost, five-year phased approached to transition to the new logo during which time both the old logo and new logo will be seen. Unless it creates a public safety issue, materials with the crown logo will be used until new supplies are needed. Supplies of stationery and business cards with the gold crown will be used up before orders are placed for the new logo. New vehicles and equipment will get the new logo as they are purchased.

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  Updated: March 12, 2007