SENATE RESOLUTION
8699



By Senator Honeyford

     WHEREAS, This year marks the one hundredth year of service provided to the Sunnyside community by C. Speck Motors. Four generations of the Speck family have worked to provide automobile service to the community; and
     WHEREAS, The Speck family came to Sunnyside in 1908. Clayton Speck, an enterprising young business man, worked in the restaurant business for several years before turning to the automobile industry. He started the Sunnyside garage in 1911, and then the Speck-Rowland Garage the following year. The garage sold Buick and GMC Trucks, and eventually added a Chevrolet division. The dealership became C. Speck Motors in 1920; and
     WHEREAS, Even during the great depression Clayton Speck added a new dealership facility. Though he was criticized at the time for that decision, Speck was able to keep the shop running by manufacturing parts for the military; and
     WHEREAS, Clayton Speck is remembered as a man of great character and generosity, contributing to orphanages and other community projects; and
     WHEREAS, Clayton's son James R. Speck left the University of Washington in 1950 to run the dealership when Clayton became ill. James continued to run the dealership until 1975. James continued his father's tradition of helping the community by supporting activities such as American Legion baseball, little league baseball, and the school Patrol. He also served as President of Washington State Auto Dealers Association in 1966; and
     WHEREAS, In 1975, James C. Speck became the third generation to run C. Speck Motors. He served on the General Motors Dealers Advisory Board in 1985. He added a Nissan franchise to the dealership in 1985, and added a new showroom; and
     WHEREAS, In 1994, Kathryn Speck, James C. Speck's daughter, began working for the dealership. She became the Dealer Principal in 1998. She moved the dealership to a larger location, and it is now one of the largest in the area;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate thank and congratulate the Speck family and C. Speck Motors for providing one hundred years of service to the Sunnyside area; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Speck family.