WHEREAS, State Representative Brendan Williams successfully completed the trifecta of state government duty serving in all three branches even before his election to the House, as a judicial law clerk for Justices Gerry Alexander and Bobbe Bridge of the Washington Supreme Court; as executive secretary for former House Speaker Brian Ebersole, and as aide and intern for former Senator Al Bauer; and as a governor's intern for former Governor Booth Gardner; and
     WHEREAS, In a demonstrable attempt to tear down the Cascade Curtain, Brendan Williams received his Bachelor of Arts degree at The Evergreen State College, his Master of Arts degree in Criminal Law at Washington State University, and his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Washington Law School; and
     WHEREAS, Prior to his election, Brendan built a successful career as an attorney and business consultant, and as executive director of the Washington Health Care Association; and
     WHEREAS, Once in public office, Representative Williams judged every bill on its merits and by what he believed would provide the best future for the people of Washington, and most notably his beloved wife, Nicole, and son, Blake; and
     WHEREAS, The 2007 third grade class of Boston Harbor Elementary received an invaluable lesson in civic engagement, as well as the complexity and fragility of our ecosystem, from Representative Williams, who assisted them in successfully naming the Pacific Chorus Frog the official amphibian of Washington State; and
     WHEREAS, Voting record aside, Brendan goes unmatched in sartorial splendor on the House Floor; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Williams' support for children and families stricken by autism won him accolades and awards from those whose lives he touched in the pursuit; and
     WHEREAS, Recognizing the "Rolling Dinner Break" meant that legislators would have a moment of respite and nourishment, but often at the staff's expense, Brendan regularly took it upon himself to treat the legislative staff to a much appreciated pizza delivery; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Williams took a tenacious approach to his legislation, from the protection of the neediest citizens living in homeless encampments, the care and support for victims of domestic violence, to the banning of the barbarous treatment of force-fed ducks and geese from bourgeois menus; and
     WHEREAS, In the grand tradition of many great civic leaders, Representative Williams took great pride in not only earning the respect and admiration of his allies, but also the ire of his political and philosophical opponents; and
     WHEREAS, Remaining resolute in his protection of civil liberties and consumer protection, Brendan also welcomed the allegiance – and friendship - of those same opponents when interests aligned, or when the work day at the Capitol ended; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Williams gave voice to the constituency of the 22nd Legislative District, representing the core of our state's employees; and
     WHEREAS, In his vigilant pursuit of progressive legislation, Brendan was never one to sanitize his comments, despite remaining dutifully committed to sanitizing his hands with frequent and copious amounts of Purell; and
     WHEREAS, Our loss in the House of Representatives will only be overshadowed by the welcome reception Brendan will receive from citizen-activists across Washington who stand up for progressive causes;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington honor the service, the integrity, the generosity, and the accomplishments of Brendan Williams as the public servant of the 22nd Legislative District; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the family of State Representative Brendan Williams.