WHEREAS, It is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and
     WHEREAS, State Representative Alex Wood has honorably served the people of his community, his legislative district, and the State of Washington with extraordinary excellence; and
     WHEREAS, Alex Wood was born in Canada and was fortunate enough to be raised in Sequim, Washington, and became a citizen of the United States of America in his late teens; and
     WHEREAS, Alex Wood graduated from Sequim High School and attended the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications at Washington State University; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Wood is a decorated Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service, held the position of Navigator on the U.S.S. Grant, and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal on two occasions; and
     WHEREAS, He developed a successful career from 1979 to 1996 as a broadcast journalist and radio and television talk show host, fields in which he excelled and for which he was recognized twice with the Columbia School of Journalism Armstrong Award; and
     WHEREAS, Alex Wood served seven terms in the Washington State House of Representatives as State Representative from the 3rd Legislative District, serving the heart of Spokane; and
     WHEREAS, Alex Wood has served as vice chair of the House Commerce and Labor Committee and as a member of the House Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee, and the House Transportation Committee, and previously was also a member of the House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee and the House Health Care Committee; and
     WHEREAS, Thousands of Washingtonians with gambling addictions have been able to receive adequate treatment thanks to Representative Alex Wood's tireless efforts to raise awareness about problem gambling year after year until he successfully passed legislation to that effect in 2003, and in 2005 was pivotal in helping to secure funds for the creation of the Problem Gambling Program under the Department of Social and Health Services; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Wood is a former ex officio member of the Washington State Gambling Commission, whose mission is to protect the public by ensuring that gambling is legal and honest; and
     WHEREAS, Alex Wood has a keen ear for a wide assortment of music genres, and is an avid reader who greatly enjoys the feel of paper in his hands and, thus, makes it a point to read the actual newspaper instead of an online version, and still uses the library to check out books, the old-fashioned way; and
     WHEREAS, Alex Wood is appreciated and respected for his sincerity, his kindness, his boldness and for having the best speaking voice in this legislative body;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington honor State Representative Alex Wood for his fourteen years of dedicated commitment, his personal and professional integrity, and his respect and admiration for the institutions that he worked so diligently for; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the Washington State House of Representatives to State Representative Alex Wood.