SENATE RESOLUTION

                                                    1994-8663

By Senators Fraser and Franklin

         WHEREAS,  Cora Pinson devoted much of her time and energy to the people and the community of Olympia before she passed away on January 17, 1994; and

         WHEREAS, She was the first African-American woman in the state of Washington to be elected to a city council; and

         WHEREAS, Cora Pinson was a respected member of the Olympia City Council from 1987 to 1991 where her talent for bringing people and ideas together, and her concern for diversity greatly enriched the council and the entire local community; and

         WHEREAS, She also enriched our state and our nation through her active involvement in the Association of Washington Cities, the National League of Cities, and the region's Department of Social and Health Services Advisory Committee; and

         WHEREAS, Her leadership as a member of the Housing Authority of Thurston County, the Downtown Olympia Kiwanis Club, the Thurston County Economic Development Council, and the Greater Olympia Visitor and Convention Bureau, as well as her creation and production of a radio show focusing on cultural diversity, yielded even further contributions to the public good; and

         WHEREAS, She founded the Thurston County Black Historical and Cultural Society and the Olympia Chapter of Blacks in Government, and was also a devoted member of the NAACP and the Olympia Urban League; and

         WHEREAS, Her deep commitment to the South Sound's religious community, including her key leadership role in the founding and development of the New Life Baptist Church, inspired respect, admiration, and faith in others; and

         WHEREAS, She will always be remembered for her zest and enthusiasm and the balance she maintained in her political life; and

         WHEREAS, Her family, friends, and community will forever remember her as a gifted and powerful speaker; and

         WHEREAS, She was a woman who blessed her community with a great sense of humor and a beautiful singing voice; and

         WHEREAS, She served as a mentor and role model to many youth in the Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater area, instilling them with a sense of pride and self-esteem; and

         WHEREAS, Her outstanding service as a state employee for the Washington State Employment Security Department further reflected her public service commitment; and

         WHEREAS, Cora Pinson was a well-loved political activist who cared deeply about others and her community, and her presence will be greatly missed;

         NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize and honor Cora Pinson for her life of outstanding public service in the state of Washington; and

         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Cora Pinson's brother, Curtis Buntyn and his wife, Linda; her daughter, Cheryl Andrews; and her mother, Josephine Alexander.

 I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1994-8663,

adopted by the Senate January 21, 1994.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate