WHEREAS, Earl Hale is retiring from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges on January 20, 2006, after thirty-five years of total service and the last nineteen years as the Executive Director; and
     WHEREAS, Earl Hale has helped the State Board to ensure that the two-year college system maintains an open door to public education for nearly half a million Washington residents every year; and
     WHEREAS, Earl Hale has articulately and effectively communicated the system's core mission and values to leaders across the state, including business, state government, faculty unions, the K-12 system, and four-year colleges and universities; and
     WHEREAS, Earl Hale has overseen tremendous growth of the two-year college system with the addition of the technical colleges into the system in 1991, and two additional community colleges since 1994; and
     WHEREAS, Earl Hale has been instrumental in bringing the community and technical college communities together, to support each other, and to work with the universities and colleges to provide access to a comprehensive education system for all students in the State of Washington;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate hereby commend Earl Hale for his tireless efforts on behalf of the two-year college system and his deep commitment to serving the citizens of Washington over the last thirty-five years; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Earl Hale.