S-3740.1  _______________________________________________

                    SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8023

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

By Senators Deccio, Owen, Newhouse, Sellar, Snyder, Bauer, McCaslin, A. Anderson, Prince, Rasmussen and Roach

Read first time 01/11/96.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Requesting the department of transportation to name an overpass after Senator Matson.

    TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:

    We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, Senator James T. Matson has served the people of the Yakima Valley and the State of Washington with distinction during his sixteen-year tenure in the Legislature; and

    WHEREAS, Senator Matson is known and respected for his legislative knowledge and political instincts; and

    WHEREAS, Senator Matson has displayed his leadership skills, whether serving as Senate Minority Leader of the Senate Republican Caucus or, most recently, as Chairman of the Senate's Committee on Labor and Commerce; and

    WHEREAS, Senator Matson's penchant for straight talk and reputation as one who does not go back on his word was refreshing during these times of political rhetoric and double talk; and

    WHEREAS, Senator Matson has been a powerful ally and promoter for the state's agricultural industry, fighting for right-to-farm laws and reducing unnecessary government red tape; and

    WHEREAS, Senator Matson has supported efforts to give police and investigators the necessary tools to fight drugs and crime; and

    WHEREAS, Most notably, Senator Matson distinguished himself as a taxpayer advocate, leading the way for smaller, leaner state government; and

    WHEREAS, Throughout his legislative career, Senator Matson fought hard to keep government off the backs of businesses, farmers, and citizens; and

    WHEREAS, Senator Matson has been a strong supporter of the Yakima Valley, evident in such projects as the rebuilding of the Clear Creek Dam; and

    WHEREAS, Opinion leaders have called Jim "one of the best legislators this past quarter century," " . . . one of the most highly respected, intelligent and independent-minded lawmakers in Olympia," describing him with words such as "honesty," "integrity," and "commitment"; and

    WHEREAS, It was always important for Senator Matson to do first-class work for the Senate and the people who elected him and, throughout his years of service, Senator Matson never let either of them down;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the State Department of Transportation name the overpass at Selah, Washington after Senator James T. Matson.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the State Department of Transportation.

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