SENATE RESOLUTION
8680

By Senators Spanel, Hale, Franklin, Kastama, Fraser, Haugen, T. Sheldon, Prentice, Rasmussen, McAuliffe, Benton, Brandland, Brown, Carlson, Deccio, Doumit, Eide, Esser, Fairley, Finkbeiner, Hargrove, Hewitt, Honeyford, Horn, Jacobsen, Johnson, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McCaslin, Morton, Mulliken, Oke, Parlette, Poulsen, Reardon, Regala, Roach, Rossi, Schmidt, Sheahan, B. Sheldon, Shin, Stevens, Swecker, Thibaudeau, West, Winsley and Zarelli

     WHEREAS, Gene Gotovac was a beloved friend, colleague, and 18-year member of the Senate family; and
     WHEREAS, He began working for Senate security in 1985 and was elected sergeant-at-arms in 1999; and
     WHEREAS, Reminiscent of a Vatican guard, Gene displayed a quiet dignity, upholding confidentiality and using discretion at all times; and
     WHEREAS, He was a wonderful ambassador of the Capitol Campus, taking great pride in the legislative institution and treating legislators, staff, pages, and visitors with kindness and respect; and
     WHEREAS, An Aberdeen native, he loved both Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, always striving to make the area a better place to live; and
     WHEREAS, Concerned about Aberdeen's youth, Gene was instrumental in conducting a community fund-raiser whose proceeds went toward the purchase of lights for Pioneer Park baseball field, allowing children to play baseball safely into the evening; and
     WHEREAS, A successful businessman, he owned Gotovac's, a men's clothing store, and the Spar Café in Aberdeen, a favorite gathering place for discussions of sports and politics; and
     WHEREAS, Gene was "everyone's friend," always giving generously of himself, joyfully making others happy; and
     WHEREAS, An avid sportsman, he enjoyed going to Seattle Mariners baseball games and playing golf, particularly at Airport Golf Center in Tumwater, where within a year, he scored two holes in one; and
     WHEREAS, He is survived by his loving wife, Linda; daughter, Joanne Romayne Leach; grandson Patrick Leach; son, Norman Eugene; stepsons Wade Mitchell and Dave Mitchell; stepdaughters Kori Mitchell and Valerie Deyette; and extended family; and
     WHEREAS, On June 10, 2002, Gene Gotovac ended his fight with leukemia, surrounded by his loving family and close friends; and
     WHEREAS, Gene will forever remain in our hearts; in the words of former Senator Sid Snyder, "Goodbye – and Sine Die – old friend";
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate celebrate the life of our colleague Gene Gotovac and recognize his devotion to public service; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Gotovac family.

I, Milton H. Doumit, Jr., Secretary of the Senate,
do hereby certify that this is a true and
correct copy of Senate Resolution 8680,
adopted by the Senate
April 28, 2003

MILTON H. DOUMIT, JR.
Secretary of the Senate