WHEREAS, Mayor Donnetta Walser was a pillar of the Monroe community; an exemplary public servant; and a beloved educator, wife, mother, and grandmother; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Walser spent 28 years as a public school teacher; she taught for 1 year in Morton, Washington, before moving to Monroe where she taught for the next 27 years; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Walser led a grant-funded program at Monroe Middle School that catered to kids struggling with attendance or failing grades; and regardless of their struggles, Mayor Walser would always remind her kids that they were gifted; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Walser was always proud of the success of her students; and she cherished the phone calls from past pupils expressing their thanks for her hard work and influence; and

WHEREAS, During their schooling, many citizens of Washington are inspired by a special teacher, and for many students in Monroe, Mayor Walser was that teacher; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Walser was not content to retire after nearly 30 years as a teacher, and instead, demonstrated her deep commitment to her community by running for office; and

WHEREAS, Once on the Monroe City Council, Mayor Walser poured herself into the work, and approached her position as a full-time job; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Walser's 32 years in local politics included years on the Monroe City Council, the Monroe Civil Service Commission, the U.S. 2 Safety Coalition, the Snohomish County League of Women Voters, the Snohomish County Senior Services' Board of Directors, and two terms as the Mayor of Monroe; few citizens of any state can proudly claim such a diverse background of hard work, family life, and political engagement; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Walser's graceful demeanor and formidable devotion to her community served her well on the otherwise all-male Monroe City Council; she was known for her ability to build compromise and work long nights at council meetings that sometimes stretched into morning; and even after meetings that lasted until 2:00 a.m., she would return home to work a little longer and correct students' papers; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Walser leaves behind her loving husband of 45 years, Fred; her sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Stacey and Matt and Kimberly, respectively; her grandchildren, Morgan and Nathan, born of Matt and Kimberly; her brother, Gordon Halverson; niece, Candace Burnikel, and nephew, Rod Stevens;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor Mayor Donnetta Walser, and recognize her years of exemplary public service, dedication to the education of young people, unwavering commitment to community development, and love for her family and the people she served.