WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature recognizes and honors the life and lifetime contributions of Ernest Ignacio Jose "Ernie" Aguilar, born on March 19, 1919, in Mexico City and died March 15, 2010; and
     WHEREAS, In the name of public service Ernest Aguilar gave of his time, talent, resources, and skills during his entire lifetime towards the advancement of the Hispanic community and all citizens of Washington State; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie Aguilar is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Clementina (Tina) Aguilar; his children, Kenny, Alan, Paul, Gloria McGriff, Michael (deceased), and Ernest (Nachito); his grandchildren, Maria Aguilar, Shana Konschuh, Darci and Alan Aguilar; and his great-grandchildren, Anthony and Alexander Konschuh; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie and Tina Aguilar's son Michael was the first Hispanic born in Washington State to graduate from West Point, and later unselfishly gave his life in the line of duty in a military training maneuver; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie and Tina's son Kenny has achieved international recognition as the former Director of Personnel for NASA; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie Aguilar proudly served this country and was a decorated veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie Aguilar, as a tireless public servant and true visionary of the community, was instrumental in the creation of the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs and was a member of its first governing board; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie Aguilar was a former Thurston County Deputy Sheriff, the first Mexican-American to run for County Office in Washington State, and a former member of the Washington State Jail Commission; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie Aguilar was a founding member and is now Chairman Emeritus of the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which promotes the self-determination and economic development of the State's Hispanic community; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie Aguilar was one of the original founders and the first Chair of the Board of the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Toppenish, Washington, which has improved access to medical care for all people in the community; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie Aguilar was the initiator and founder of the Washington State Catholic Hispanic Ministry within Catholic Charities; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie Aguilar has demonstrated a selfless commitment to higher education with the creation of the Ernie Aguilar Scholarship Fund that has been established at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business for Latino students who are pursuing their Masters in Business Administration; and
     WHEREAS, Ernie Aguilar's international leadership achievements and dedication to the advancement of the Mexican and the Mexican-American communities were acknowledged by the President of Mexico when he was awarded the Ohtli Medal, Mexico's highest civilian honor;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate urge all citizens of the State of Washington to join us in congratulating and recognizing Ernie Aguilar for his unique and courageous vision, tireless public service, and legacy of accomplishments on behalf of Hispanics and all citizens of the State of Washington; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the family of Ernie Aguilar, the Consul General of Mexico, the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs, the Washington Latino Advocacy and Leadership Institute, and the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.