HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2022-4670

HR 4670

ByRepresentatives Jinkins, Wilcox, Abbarno, Barkis, Bateman, Berg, Bergquist, Berry, Boehnke, Bronoske, Caldier, Callan, Chambers, Chandler, Chapman, Chase, Chopp, Cody, Corry, Davis, Dent, Dolan, Donaghy, Duerr, Dufault, Dye, Entenman, Eslick, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Frame, Gilday, Goehner, Goodman, Graham, Gregerson, Griffey, Hackney, Hansen, Harris, Harris-Talley, Hoff, Jacobsen, J. Johnson, Kirby, Klicker, Klippert, Kloba, Kraft, Kretz, Leavitt, Lekanoff, MacEwen, Macri, Maycumber, McCaslin, McEntire, Morgan, Mosbrucker, Orcutt, Ormsby, Ortiz-Self, Orwall, Paul, Peterson, Pollet, Ramel, Ramos, Riccelli, Robertson, Rude, Rule, Ryu, Santos, Schmick, Senn, Shewmake, Simmons, Slatter, Springer, Steele, Stokesbary, Stonier, Sullivan, Sutherland, Taylor, Thai, Tharinger, Valdez, Vick, Volz, Walen, Walsh, Wicks, Wylie, Ybarra, and Young

WHEREAS, In his ninth term diligently serving the best interests of families in the 38th legislative district in Snohomish County, State Representative Mike Sells has established himself as a consistent progressive force in the Washington State Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Representative Sells, a teacher at heart, made it his mission to impart knowledge to students in elementary as well as secondary levels with the Everett School District for over three decades; and

WHEREAS, He also made a difference in the lives of thousands of students with his service to educators as president of Local 772 for the American Federation of Teachers from 1969 to 1980, and then as the Everett Education Association president for the next 18 years; and

WHEREAS, In his quest to ensure Washingtonians have opportunities that will help them pursue meaningful work in the fields of their choice, Representative Sells sponsored bills to create the Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center at Paine Field, develop internship and apprenticeship opportunities, establish WSU Everett, and bring a Bachelor of Science nursing program to Everett Community College through UW-Bothell; and

WHEREAS, An unyielding advocate for labor and working families, Representative Sells served as the elected secretary-treasurer of the Snohomish & Island County Labor Council from 1976 to 2014, coordinating 65 different AFL/CIO unions in Snohomish County, representing more than 42,000 working people; and

WHEREAS, He has exemplified leadership, dedication, and commitment at the helm of the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee since 2011, and in that role succeeded in reforming the Unemployment Insurance system, modernizing Workers' Compensation, strengthening safety standards in the workplace, and helping to establish Paid Family and Medical Leave for Washington workers; and

WHEREAS, Representative Mike Sells pointed out he owes his accomplishments in legislating to the work and support of community and tribal leaders in Everett, Marysville, and Tulalip, adding: "They helped set agendas for our communities, listened to the people, and helped build the support structures for moving legislation forward. We don't do these things alone if we wish to be successful. It is the same with the great advocates for working people we have in this state. I was lucky to have a great group of partners and a family that supported my work.";

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington salute and celebrate Representative Mike Sells for his dedication to the people of the 38th legislative district and, indeed, to the people of the entire state of Washington; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the family of Washington State Representative Mike Sells.