WHEREAS, Dennis R. Lewis is retiring this year as Director of Senate Security; and
     WHEREAS, Denny, as he is known by his friends, colleagues, and his Senate family, has been part of the security team for the Washington State Senate since the 1995 session and a permanent member of Senate Security since serving as Sergeant at Arms during the 1997 session; and
     WHEREAS, Denny served in many capacities as a Washington State Patrol Trooper starting with his original assignment in 1969 as a Patrol Cadet in Ellensburg and including executive protection, special services, bomb detection, and capitol security; and
     WHEREAS, Denny served as the regional vice president of the National Governor's Security Association in 1982; and
     WHEREAS, Denny is a native of the beautiful Pacific Northwest having been born and raised in Oregon and attended Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland and the Washington State Patrol Academy; and
     WHEREAS, Denny was a member of the United States Air Force for eight years and served in Vietnam and the Philippines; and     
     WHEREAS, The Senate thanks Denny's wife, Nancy, and his children Kristine and Travis for sharing him with us for the past 16 years; and
     WHEREAS, Denny has honorably, bravely, and selflessly dedicated himself to the protection of all those who serve and work in the Senate and the citizens who come to the Capitol to participate in their government; and
     WHEREAS, Denny, with his always ready smile and kind words, is respected and admired by the members of his Senate family; and
     WHEREAS, Denny is regarded by other security staff as the most considerate gentleman they have ever worked for; and
     WHEREAS, When Denny called to check on things while on vacation he was always told: "The fire is out, nobody was injured, and we should be back in the building in a week." To which he replied, "I'm never calling you guys again." But he always did, because he always cared; and
     WHEREAS, Denny has probably made more than a million cups of coffee in the last 16 years for thirsty and tired senators;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members, with the Washington State Patrol and staff of the Washington State Senate acknowledge and honor Dennis R. Lewis for his 39 years of service to the State of Washington, and extend our heartfelt gratitude for his friendship and his concern for our safety; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Dennis R. Lewis.