This image shows a restoration of a Daspletosaurus torosus, whose nickname is Suciasaurus rex. Photo by Steveoc 86 / Wikipedia (use permitted with attribution).
Official State Dinosaur of Washington
On May 4th, 2023, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law House Bill 1020 that designated the “Suciasaurus rex” as the official state dinosaur of Washington. All State Dinosaurs & Fossils
Discovery
In 2012 researchers from Burke Museum discovered a fossil along the shores of Sucia Island State Park in the San Juan Islands. They returned with a team of paleontologists to excavate the fossil to be further studied at the Burke Museum. The fossil is 16.7 inches long and 8.7 inches wide. Paleontologists Dr. Christian Sidor and Brandon Peecook were able to determine the femur is from a theropod dinosaur.
State Symbol
In 2019 Ms. Amy Cole's fourth grade class at Elmhurst Elementary in the Franklin Pierce School District researched the dinosaur discovery and how a bill becomes a law. They proposed the idea for the "Suciasaurus rex" to be the official state dinosaur to Rep. Melanie Morgan's (D-Parkland) office. Rep. Melanie Morgan sponsored a bill along with Lisa Callan (D-Issaquah) and Cindy Ryu (D-Lynnwood). It was a several year process but this taught the students that change can take some time.
Washingtonian of the Day
On signing day eighth-grader Athena Tauscher was recognized as “Washingtonian of the Day” for her work on the bill.
