An overflow crowd of more than 275 filled the council chambers and lobbies Feb. 27 as the King County Council approved an ordinance to replace the crown that has been the logo for King County for 38 years with the image of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the county’s namesake.

“King County is the first government in the nation to adopt the image of our foremost civil rights leader as its official logo. This is truly a day to celebrate,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, prime sponsor of the ordinance. “This change gives respect and visibility to the fact that our county is named in honor of Dr. King. The image of Dr. King will be a powerful and influential symbol for the many thousands of visitors to our region now and in the future. They will immediately see that our logo reflects a government committed to diversity, peaceful resolutions to differences, racial and religious tolerance, and social and economic justice for all of its residents.”

Councilmember Gossett met in January with Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of Dr. King, regarding the logo proposal and was told that the King family “certainly sees it as a great honor,” and has historically granted authority to schools, charities, non-profits and government entities to use Dr. King’s works and image without paying a royalty.

“With today’s action, the citizens of King County will at long last have a logo worthy of our great community,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “The image of Dr. King atop county letterhead, in county buildings, and on county vehicles will serve as a daily reminder of the values he inspired in all of us as Americans: freedom, equality, peace, and opportunity. His leadership, and the movement he ignited, allowed cultural and racial diversity to thrive in King County and throughout our nation. His legacy reminds us of the bedrock values of our democracy, a far cry from the imperial image of our current logo: a crown symbolizing monarchy and royalty.”

King County’s former symbol, a crown inside two circles, was the county’s fourth official logo since its creation by the territorial legislature in 1852. The crown logo was adopted as part of a public contest that followed voter creation in 1968 of the new charter form of government for King County. That logo later went through two minor revisions. (To see examples of all past King County logos click here Acrobat PDF)

The ordinance directs the County Executive to transmit for Council approval a new logo design in the likeness of Dr. King, along with graphic standards, guidelines and procedures for its use. Existing stocks of letterhead, envelopes and business cards will be depleted before new ones are ordered. For such durable items as vehicles and signage, the measure calls for replacement to be phased in during the ordinary course of business.

“In most cases, items bearing King County’s logo will be replaced as they wear out, which means the cost of transitioning to this priceless symbol will be marginal,” said Phillips.

The ordinance prohibits use of the new logo for purposes of fundraising or solicitation of donations, other than to the county and its Employee Charitable Campaign, or to advertise or promote commercial events or merchandise, goods or services.

“It is an honor to associate King County with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine. “By making Dr. King's image the symbol of King County, we provide a daily reminder of his challenge to us: That we as a nation continue to strive to live up to our ideals.”

When created in 1852, King County was named after U.S. Vice President and slaveowner William Rufus DeVane King. In 1986 the County Council passed a motion changing the county’s eponym to that of Dr. King. That motion did not have the force of law, however, until the state Legislature approved and Governor Gregoire in April 2005 signed Engrossed Senate Bill 5332 changing the county’s namesake.

“Twenty years ago, King County was renamed after the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “It’s time to change the King County logo to reflect that.”

King County now joins Seattle and the state of Washington in having logos that bear the likenesses of their namesakes. Since 1937 Seattle’s corporate seal has borne the image of Chief Sealth. The likeness of George Washington has graced the seal of the state of Washington since statehood in 1889.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system Type in “2005-0492”