WHEREAS, R.H. "Andy" Anderson has had a long and illustrious career in broadcasting and politics; and
     WHEREAS, Andy began as a sports photographer for Lincoln High School in the last half of the 1940s, and had his political "birth" covering House Un-American Activities Committee hearings in Seattle as a University of Washington journalism student in 1950; and
     WHEREAS, His love of jazz led him to AM radio, where he pulled records and then did free news breaks at KRSC and later KVI; and
     WHEREAS, Andy joined KRKO in Everett as a radio news reporter in 1952, ignited by his longtime interest in politics and the Army vs. McCarthy hearings; and
     WHEREAS, The way some folks love baseball, Andy was totally engrossed by politics, fascinated by the players in that 'danse Macabre'; and
     WHEREAS, In 1955, Andy moved to KVOS radio and TV in Bellingham, where he did "rip and read" news and commercials from a 7 foot by 10 foot studio with one camera, and developed his forte--politics and broadcasting--especially during campaign and election times; and
     WHEREAS, Andy befriended a political and jazz soul mate, Al Swift, who joined KVOS as an announcer in 1956, and along with Bill Clement, became a Democratic troika in Whatcom County politics; and
     WHEREAS, Andy wrote scripts and produced feature films and commercials for CANAWEST Film Productions in Canada from 1965 to 1976, when he moved back to KVOS as news director; and
     WHEREAS, He developed an impressive news crew at KVOS, until the station was taken over in 1983 and the management eliminated the news department and told Andy he had one week to 'clear his desk'; and
     WHEREAS, Al Swift was then the U.S. Representative from the Second Congressional District when his district manager Bill McDonald (Dean Mac) passed away. Al needed someone who knew him and his politics so he offered the job to Andy because their history made a perfect match; and
     WHEREAS, Al decided not to run again in 1994, so Andy was given the sad task of closing the office and decided to retire; and
     WHEREAS, Andy ran a consulting business for a few years, until young Rick Larsen won the Second district seat. Larsen hired as his district director Jill McKinnie, who had worked for Al Swift and then Senator Patty Murray. She suggested Andy to her new boss, for the north part of the district, and Andy was rejuvenated; and
     WHEREAS, Andy loves politics but now needs time to travel, work in his vegetable garden, and kick back after his incredible ride giving his talents, knowledge, and love to his job for many years;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington commend the life, the work, and the dedication of R.H. "Andy" Anderson for his commitment and service to journalism and politics in Whatcom County, Washington State and the United States; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Andy Anderson and his family.