WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to
recognize excellence in all fields of advocacy and endeavor; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva has exhibited true excellence throughout
his personal, professional, and public life, through his lengthy years
of service; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
and moved to Texas, Ohio, Oregon, Idaho, and Arizona and settled in
Toppenish, Washington with his family in 1958; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva married his friend and confidant,
Hortencia Villanueva, in 1969, and together, they were blessed with
seven children; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva began his work in manual field labor, but
soon emerged as a community leader, peacefully advocating for farm
workers rights and equal protection alongside César Chávez; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva is credited with helping to start the
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, which works to improve the life of
farm workers and the underserved, to strengthen their health and that
of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva has had a passion for promoting
elementary and higher education and schools for all, focusing in on the
children of low-income and farm-working families; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva worked as a community liaison for the
State's Department of Social and Health Services from 1994 through
2006; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva served as President of the United Farm
Workers of Washington from 1992 through 1996, and has further held
numerous positions on committees and boards since the late 1960's; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva is an ideal citizen of the State of
Washington, for he has shown that it is possible to be passionate for
a cause, and to find solutions and agreements without ever ignoring
professional etiquette, or using violence and anger; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva has performed his work as an activist
solely as a volunteer, and never for personal or monetary gain; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva has been and continues to be a champion
for Human Rights, Labor Rights, Migrant Farm Workers Rights, Education
Rights, and Child Labor Laws and a passionate and dedicated citizen to
the cause of equality; and
WHEREAS, Tomás Villanueva has been and continues to be a bright
minded and tender hearted individual, who has inspired many to stand up
for what is fair and right, and speaks passionately for the equality
and protection of others, and in doing so he has inspired laws to be
passed and people to unite to replace greed, prejudice, and injustice,
with acts of kindness, humility, and grace;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives
of the State of Washington honor Tomás Villanueva for his numerous
years of dedicated service, his personal and professional integrity,
and his dedication and faithfulness to the values of freedoms and
rights for which he as so assiduously worked; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be
immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of
Representatives to Tomás Villanueva.