OLYMPIA — Native American Heritage Day is one step closer to becoming an official state holiday, under a bill passed on Friday, Feb. 14, by the Senate.

Senate Bill 6078, sponsored by Sen. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, would declare the fourth Friday in November a state and school legal holiday. Under state law, state offices and schools are already closed the day immediately following Thanksgiving Day.

“This holiday is extremely significant to the many tribal members in our state,” McCoy said. “It offers people a chance to celebrate the culture, traditions and languages of Native Americans.”

Only two other states have designated days honoring Native American heritage as state legal holidays. SB 6078 now goes to the Washington State House of Representatives for consideration.