HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4697, by Representatives Ericks, Alexander, Anderson, Angel, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Blake, Campbell, Carlyle, Chandler, Chase, Chopp, Clibborn, Cody, Condotta, Conway, Crouse, Dammeier, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Driscoll, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericksen, Fagan, Finn, Flannigan, Goodman, Green, Haigh, Haler, Hasegawa, Herrera, Hinkle, Hope, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jacks, Johnson, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Klippert, Kretz, Kristiansen, Liias, Linville, Maxwell, McCoy, McCune, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Nealey, Nelson, Orcutt, Ormsby, Orwall, Parker, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Probst, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schmick, Seaquist, Sells, Shea, Short, Simpson, Smith, Springer, Sullivan, Takko, Taylor, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, White, Williams, and Wood

     WHEREAS, Representative Al O'Brien has dedicated his life not to fame or fortune, but to public service; and
     WHEREAS, Al O'Brien was born in Seattle and served in the United States Marines as a Warrant Officer during the Vietnam War, where he was seriously wounded in combat; and
     WHEREAS, After recovering and returning home to Seattle, Al O'Brien put on a different uniform, keeping the streets of Seattle safe for 29 years before retiring as a Sergeant with the Seattle Police Department; and
     WHEREAS, Al has mentioned on this floor that he lost many friends who wore those same two uniforms; and
     WHEREAS, Al remained active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Lynnwood and the American Legion Post in Mountlake Terrace; and
     WHEREAS, Al received his bachelor's degree from Seattle University in sociology, and later his master's in public administration, and he also taught at City University and Seattle University; and
     WHEREAS, Before coming to the House of Representatives in 1996, Al O'Brien served on the Mountlake Terrace City Council for five years and in the Marine Reserves for 12 years; and
     WHEREAS, Here in the House of Representatives, Al was chair of the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee and a strong voice for protecting children and other vulnerable people from predators; and
     WHEREAS, Al O'Brien has two sons, Christopher and Michael, and he has also been someone for hundreds of college students, staff, and fellow lawmakers to look up to; and
     WHEREAS, Al has always been involved in the community, serving as president of his local Kiwanis and a member of the board of directors for both the ARC of Snohomish County and the Bridge to Promise;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives and the State of Washington celebrate and honor the distinguished legislative career and accomplishments of Representative Al O'Brien, and wish him the very best in his next endeavor, even though we will miss him deeply; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Washington State Representative Al O'Brien and his family.

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of
Resolution 4697 adopted by the House of Representatives
March 10, 2010

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Barbara Baker, Chief Clerk