HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 96-4705, by Representatives Mason, Dickerson, Kessler, Patterson, H. Sommers, Keiser, Ogden, R. Fisher, Jacobsen, Cole, Tokuda, Grant, Basich, Hatfield, Rust, Conway, Chappell, Dellwo, Scott, Costa, Murray, Cody, Regala, Veloria, Cooke, Hankins, Ballasiotes, Mitchell, Foreman and Scheuerman

       WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington Legislature to recognize individuals who have exemplified outstanding leadership and contributions to society and American history; and

       WHEREAS, In 1966, Barbara Jordan began her political career when she was elected to the Texas State Senate, the state's first Black Senator since 1883; and

       WHEREAS, Barbara Jordan was the first African-American woman in the country to preside over a legislative body; and

       WHEREAS, In 1972, Barbara Jordan was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where she stayed until 1978; and

       WHEREAS, During her terms in the Texas Senate and the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan was known and respected as a champion of civil rights, minorities, and the poor; and

       WHEREAS, Between 1979 and 1982, Barbara Jordan was a professor at the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at the Austin campus of the University of Texas; and

       WHEREAS, Barbara Jordan gained great acclaim as the keynote speaker at the 1972 and 1992 Democratic National Conventions; and

       WHEREAS, Barbara Jordan was inducted into the Texan Women's Hall of Fame in 1984, the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1990, and the African-American Hall of Fame in 1993; and

       WHEREAS, Barbara Jordan is the recipient of a long list of awards and honors, including being named as "One of the most influential women in American history," by countless publications; and

       WHEREAS, Barbara Jordan championed the cause of morality and ethics in politics and government; and

       WHEREAS, January 17, 1996, Barbara Jordan died, bringing the end of a magnificent and inspiring story of human achievement;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives along with the people of the state of Washington mourn the untimely death of Barbara Jordan, a great American woman; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Texas State Legislature and the National Political Congress of Black Women.

          I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

         Resolution 4705 adopted by the House of Representatives

                            January 22, 1996.

                     ________________________________

                      Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk