WHEREAS, Dr. Jon R. Almquist, a pediatrician at Virginia Mason Federal Way, retired September 9, 2007, after 43 years in pediatrics; and
     WHEREAS, Jon wanted to be a physician from the time he was eight or nine and graduated from Yale University School of Medicine in 1965, then returned to Seattle to begin his career as a pediatrician; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Almquist's patients called him "the child whisperer" because he was so extraordinarily talented with children, playing with kids while examining them with the kids most of the time not knowing they were being examined; and
     WHEREAS, Jon's joyfulness as a pediatrician was infectious, and his heart was so full and willing to help others that he changed many lives; and
     WHEREAS, One woman remembered Dr. Almquist closed his practice for one day and came to the hospital to supervise care of her son who had been hit by a car and suffered a head injury; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Almquist, through his medical practice, invested in the social, emotional, and mental health of thousands of young people in the Federal Way area and remains active in the Boy Scouts of America; and
     WHEREAS, Dr. Almquist was the recipient of Virginia Mason's Tate Mason Award for the 2002 Outstanding Physician Award, served as Clinical Professor of Pediatrics for the University of Washington, held a position on the American Academy of Pediatrics, and held many other positions on medically related committees;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate acknowledge and honor Dr. Jon R. Almquist, whose dedication, professionalism, and medical expertise enriched the lives of thousands of Puget Sound area children and their families, and has helped contribute to the betterment and well-being of the community he served.