HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4685, by Representatives Santos, Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Angel, Appleton, Armstrong, Asay, Bailey, Billig, Blake, Buys, Carlyle, Chandler, Chopp, Clibborn, Cody, Condotta, Crouse, Dahlquist, Dammeier, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Fagan, Finn, Fitzgibbon, Goodman, Green, Haigh, Haler, Hansen, Hargrove, Harris, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hope, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jinkins, Johnson, Kagi, Kelley, Kirby, Klippert, Kretz, Kristiansen, Ladenburg, Liias, Lytton, Maxwell, McCoy, McCune, Miloscia, Moeller, Morris, Moscoso, Nealey, Orcutt, Ormsby, Orwall, Overstreet, Parker, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Pollet, Probst, Reykdal, Rivers, Roberts, Rodne, Ross, Ryu, Schmick, Seaquist, Sells, Shea, Short, Smith, Springer, Stanford, Sullivan, Takko, Taylor, Tharinger, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Walsh, Warnick, Wilcox, Wylie, and Zeiger

     WHEREAS, Representative Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney has honorably and distinguishably served the people of the 46th Legislative District for 15 years; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney has led with wisdom, grace, and dignity; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Gutiérrez Kenney's past is just as interesting as her present; she was born in Hardin, Montana to hardworking migrant farm workers; and
     WHEREAS, Being one of eight children, Representative Gutiérrez Kenney grew up in the Yakima Valley area and worked in the fields from the age of five; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Gutiérrez Kenney was appointed to the Washington State Legislature in January of 1997 and is currently finishing her eighth and final term representing the residents of the 46th Legislative District; and
     WHEREAS, In her professional, as well as legislative activities, Representative Gutiérrez Kenney has consistently addressed important and difficult issues concerning health, education, affordable housing, and economic development and has led successful efforts in obtaining funding for farm worker housing since 1999; and
     WHEREAS, She has lead the way in higher education in Washington State, supporting legislation that benefited high-demand fields, allowed branch campuses to offer four-year degrees, increased investments into higher education, especially scholarships and loan-forgiveness programs, and created the Opportunity Grants program; and
     WHEREAS, She has sponsored landmark legislation aimed at providing in-state tuition at Washington's public colleges and universities for undocumented students who graduate from Washington high schools, as well as legislation to create scholarships and expand access to higher education for low-income and minority students in Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Two of her legacy measures have received national accolades, including recognition from President Barack Obama, and the Opportunity Grants and Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (IBEST) programs will continue to help young people reach their dreams for generations to come; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Gutiérrez Kenney has been a tireless champion for minorities in the State of Washington; she cofounded the Washington State Migrant Child Care Centers, the Educational Institute for Rural Families, and the Farm Workers Clinics, as well as being instrumental in establishing statewide Child Care and Early Childhood Education Teacher Training Programs; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Gutiérrez Kenney has also been a successful champion for women's rights, especially for Latinas and other minorities; she has cosponsored bills protecting women and children from human trafficking, violence, and predatory behavior; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Gutiérrez Kenney has received numerous awards distinguishing her hard work and relentless pursuit of providing the residents of Washington with a better place to call home, including passage of her legacy document recording fee measure;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives celebrate and commemorate the distinguished legislative, professional, and personal career of Washington State Representative Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney.

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of
Resolution 4685 adopted by the House of Representatives
March 8, 2012

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Barbara Baker, Chief Clerk