SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1991-8610

By Senators McCaslin and Rasmussen

     WHEREAS, For over thirty years, Ernest F. LaPalm has diligently served the people of this state as an employee of the Washington State Employment Security Department; and

     WHEREAS, During his tenure with the department, Mr. LaPalm earned a reputation for honesty, integrity and fairness; and

     WHEREAS, Ernie LaPalm served as Chief Deputy to four Employment Security Commissioners representing four different governors over the past fifteen years; and

     WHEREAS, Shortly after responding to press inquiries concerning wrongdoing by a former Employment Security Director, Mr. LaPalm was summarily dismissed from state employment; and

     WHEREAS, Over six hundred state employees signed petitions protesting the dismissal of Ernie LaPalm and citing the chilling effect that his dismissal will have on state employees' willingness to discuss and expose abuse of public office and other governmental wrongdoing; and

     WHEREAS, On January 31, 1991, Ernie LaPalm left office, over objections coming from across the state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate, on behalf of the people of this state, thanks Ernie Lapalm for his years of service and expresses its regrets at the way in which those years have now come to an untimely end; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate hereby states its dedication to the protection of any state employee placed in the position of airing illegal actions on the part of public officials.

I, Gordon A. Golob, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1991-8610,

adopted by the Senate February 6, 1991.

GORDON A. GOLOB

Secretary of the Senate