SENATE RESOLUTION
8737

By Senators Hewitt, Finkbeiner, Roach, Deccio, Stevens, Zarelli, Benton, Mulliken, Brandland, Schoesler, Pflug, Swecker, Delvin, Johnson, Schmidt, Kastama, Berkey, Pridemore, Weinstein, Carrell, Shin, Jacobsen, Poulsen, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Spanel, Franklin, Haugen, Hargrove, Honeyford, Regala, Rasmussen, McAuliffe, Fairley, Fraser, Sheldon, Keiser, Eide, Prentice, Rockefeller, Esser, Parlette, Benson, Doumit, Thibaudeau, Morton and Brown

     WHEREAS, Senator Bob Oke has served the people of the 26th Legislative District as a dedicated and respected member of the Washington State Senate since 1991; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke has served as Republican Whip and chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke's understanding and commitment to improving Washington State Parks and the management of game fish and birds has made him a valuable ranking member on the Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation Committee; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke has served continuously on the Senate Transportation Committee throughout his sixteen years of public service in the Washington State Senate; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke's unmatched dedication, determination, and leadership on the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge project has resulted in the construction of the longest suspension bridge to be built in the United States since 1964; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke has fought relentlessly to keep young people from starting to smoke and to protect all people from the dangers of second-hand smoke; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke's great courage during his illness has strengthened the faith of all who know him; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke and his lovely wife, "Mrs. Oke," brought with them to the Senate a message of love, strength, and family; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke has been known to check in with staff using a cell phone while standing atop his car in the middle of nowhere while hunting pheasants; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke will long be remembered for his love of the Mariners and his understanding of the importance of ball games, fishing, and other outdoor activities to the bond between a parent and a child; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke has worked throughout his legislative career in a bipartisan, respectful, and honorable manner; and
     WHEREAS, Senator Oke has earned the love and respect of his colleagues and staff members from both sides of the aisle;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate and staff express our deep appreciation to Senator Bob Oke for his commitment and dedicated service to the people of the 26th Legislative District and to the people all across Washington State; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Senator Bob Oke, Senator Ken Jacobsen, the Mayor of the City of Port Orchard, the Mayor of the City of Gig Harbor, and the Mayor of the City of Bremerton.

I, Thomas Hoemann, Secretary of the Senate,
do hereby certify that this is a true and
correct copy of Senate Resolution 8737,
adopted by the Senate
March 7, 2006

THOMAS HOEMANN
Secretary of the Senate