HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2001-4636, by Representatives Hunt, Rockefeller, Santos, Tokuda, Kenney, Jackley, Kagi, McDermott, Romero, Berkey, Linville, Schual‑Berke, Lovick, Miloscia, O'Brien, Dunshee, Eickmeyer, Edmonds, Cody, Ruderman, Edwards, Simpson, Ogden, Quall, Darneille, Conway, Esser, Chopp, Murray, Kessler, McIntire, Morris, Reardon, Dickerson, Veloria, Fromhold, Kirby, Keiser, Hatfield, Wood, Haigh, Lantz, Fisher, Grant, Gombosky, Marine, Talcott and Skinner
WHEREAS, Walter C. "Walt" Woodward and his wife Mildred "Millie" Woodward lived on Bainbridge Island from 1940 until their recent passing; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward was a leading citizen, courageous newspaper editor, and community voice for many years; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward was an outspoken critic of the internment of the island's 240 Japanese American citizens during World War II, writing, "These Japanese haven't bombed anybody .... In the past they have given every indication of loyalty to this nation"; and
WHEREAS, Under Walt Woodward's leadership, the Bainbridge Review was the only newspaper on the West Coast to repeatedly remind its readers that the Bill of Rights had been violated for some of the readers' neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Walt and Millie Woodward arranged for camp residents from the island to become correspondents for the Review and in that way stay in touch with community members; and
WHEREAS, Walt and Millie Woodward's contributions were the topic of the PBS-TV video "Visible Target," and Mr. Woodward was one of only 100 citizens inducted into Washington State's "Centennial Hall of Honor" for humanitarian and civil libertarian contributions to the state's quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward was a recipient of the National Japanese American Citizen League's Edison Uno Civil Rights "Dove of Peace Award," and was the inspiration for the newspaper-editor character in David Guterson's award-winning novel, Snow Falling on Cedars; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward led campaigns for a "living memorial fund" to build new schools, libraries, and the Agate Pass Bridge; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward campaigned for Governor Dan Evans, was a candidate for Congress, served as chair of the state Pollution Control Hearings Board, and was the first hearing examiner for the state Shorelines Hearing Board; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Woodward was active in Kiwanis, the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Poulsbo Yacht Club, and once served as president of the Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association; and
WHEREAS, Walt and Millie's many contributions to the community prompted the Bainbridge Island School District to name its newest school Woodward Middle School; and
WHEREAS, Walt Woodward died on March 13, 2001, and Millie preceded him in death in 1989;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor the remarkable life and contributions of Walt Woodward to human rights and public service on Bainbridge Island and in the state of Washington; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to Walt and Millie Woodward's daughters, Mary, Mildred, and Carolyn, to the Bainbridge Island School Board, and to the Bainbridge Review.
I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of
Resolution 4636 adopted by the House of Representatives
March 23, 2001.
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Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk Cynthia Zehnder, Co-Chief Clerk