WHEREAS, The Washington State House of Representatives recognizes the many years of service that Maryann Mitchell gave to the people of this state, and desires to pay tribute to her, celebrate her life, applaud her accomplishments, and honor her contributions to the state of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, In 1961 Maryann Mitchell, as a lifeguard and a water safety instructor with the King County Parks Department, began teaching swimming lessons to developmentally disabled children; and
     WHEREAS, In 1967 Maryann Mitchell and the King County Parks Department worked together to create an innovative athletic program for the developmentally disabled, which quickly spread throughout the state as a forum for the developmentally disabled to participate in athletic competitions; and
     WHEREAS, Based on Maryann Mitchell's work with the King County Parks Department in creating an innovative athletic program and the subsequent growth of the program to statewide participation in athletic competitions for the developmentally disabled, Maryann founded the Washington State Special Olympics, which later presented her with the opportunity to work with Eunice Kennedy Shriver as a team organizer in the creation of both the National and International Special Olympics in which Maryann would play a vital and active role, as well as serving as the state director for the Washington State Special Olympics from 1971-1972 and again from 1977-1978; and
     WHEREAS, Maryann Mitchell became a strong voice for the developmentally disabled during her time working for the King County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) in which she advocated for the disabled community in the courts and the legislature, helping create House Bill No. 90 known as the "education for all law"; and
     WHEREAS, Maryann Mitchell continued to advocate for the elderly and disabled through her personal and political support of the South King County Multi-Service Center, serving as a board member from 1992-1994; and
     WHEREAS, In 1987 Maryann Mitchell served as the Chairwoman of the "Federal Way First!" cityhood campaign, which was instrumental in the city of Federal Way incorporation in 1990; and
     WHEREAS, Maryann Mitchell had much compassion for animals and in particular was concerned over the quality of life provided for animals living in zoos, and in 1986-1990 she served on the Woodland Park Zoo Oversight Committee, which oversaw the budget and design work for building new habitats for elephants, wolves, giraffes, and gorillas housed at the zoo; and
     WHEREAS, Maryann Mitchell played an active and influential role as a member of the Pacific Northwest Aquatics Foundation, which was created to build the Weyerhaeuser pool located in Federal Way, in hopes of hosting the aquatics portion of the 1990 Goodwill Games; and
     WHEREAS, Maryann Mitchell enjoyed the outdoors and nature and contributed to ensuring that urban areas maintained natural environments by working on the King County Open Space Bond Issue campaign, which was designed to help preserve and develop parks, trails, recreation areas, and wetlands; and
     WHEREAS, In 1990 Maryann Mitchell was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives, representing the 30th District as a moderate Republican who came to Olympia with clear priorities to find solutions for transportation, addressing the needs of the elderly and disabled, and working on building a sound state budget; and
     WHEREAS, During Maryann Mitchell's ten years in the Washington State Legislature, her roles included serving as the Vice-Chairman on the House Transportation Committee from 1995-2000, serving as the CoChairman on the Capital Budget Committee in 1999, and serving as the CoChairman of the House Transportation Committee in 2000 and 2001; and
     WHEREAS, Maryann Mitchell's leadership on the Legislative Building Preservation and Renovation Commission, and her leadership within the Legislature, was instrumental in starting the long-delayed rehabilitation of the State Capitol Building; and
     WHEREAS, Maryann Mitchell was known in the Legislature as a fair but tough negotiator, and someone who was a no-nonsense hard worker, yet was fun, had a good sense of humor, and always a pleasure to work with; and
     WHEREAS, Maryann Mitchell was a legislator who was willing to work with both sides of the aisle to achieve an end goal, as she would give in the hopes that she would get, but never compromised her beliefs; and
     WHEREAS, Maryann Mitchell was loved by most and respected by all and will be deeply missed by her colleagues, friends, and family who include her husband Sam Mitchell, her five grown children: Margaret Velte, Jill Snyder, Laura Ladabour, Rob Mitchell, and Rick Mitchell, and her six grandchildren: Jon Nelson, Ross, Ryan, and Kurt Mitchell, and Alex and Tyler Velte.
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives does extend its deepest condolences to the family of Maryann Mitchell; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitably inscribed copy of this resolution be sent to her husband, Sam Mitchell.