WHEREAS, Don C. Brunell has honorably served the Association of Washington Business, the fourth largest state chamber of commerce in the U.S., for nearly 30 years; and
     WHEREAS, A proud Montana native, Don Brunell came to the Evergreen State in 1978 through his work with the forest products company, Crown Zellerbach Corp., combining his love of the outdoors with his interests in politics and business; and
     WHEREAS, In 1981, Don was appointed to the Association of Washington Business Executive Committee and chaired the Association's Natural Resources and Environment Council until 1985; and
     WHEREAS, In 1986, Don was appointed vice chairman of government affairs for AWB, and, a year later, president of AWB, and in the time since, has grown the organization from under 1,000 members to what is now the state's largest business advocacy organization with more than 8,000 private employers of all industry and sizes; and
     WHEREAS, Under Don Brunell's 28 years of leadership, the Association of Washington Business has been designated as the state's manufacturing association by the National Association of Manufacturing and twice recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as an Accredited Chamber with Distinction, and is currently just one of four state chambers "accredited with distinction"; and
     WHEREAS, Through his extensive work with Washington Business Week and the Don C. Brunell Scholarship, Don Brunell has helped encourage generations of high school students with an interest in business to achieve their entrepreneurial goals; and
     WHEREAS, In his role as AWB President, Don Brunell has had the honor of working with five Washington governors, including Governors Gardner, Lowry, Locke, Gregoire, and Inslee, as well as the leaderships of Speakers Ehlers, King, Ebersole, Ballard, and Chopp; and
     WHEREAS, Each Christmas since 1988, the holidays for many rural families in Washington have been a bit brighter - and the Legislative Building a bit more festive - since Don Brunell founded the Holiday Kids' Tree Program, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for needy families around the state and establishing the community tradition of a tree lighting each December in the state capitol; and
     WHEREAS, Don Brunell has, throughout his distinguished career, maintained his strong belief in family, as evidenced by his marriage of 42 years to wife Jeri, children Jennifer, Carey, Erin, Don, Dan, and Colleen, and 14 grandchildren; and
     WHEREAS, Don Brunell has also remained committed to those serving in the U.S. armed forces, himself a veteran with 23 years of service in the U.S. Army, Montana and Washington Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve as a special forces, infantry, and public affairs officer; and
     WHEREAS, Don Brunell will retire from AWB in January 2014, making this his last legislative session as president of the state's largest and oldest business association;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor Don C. Brunell for his long-time commitment to the legislative process and to the free enterprise system we enjoy in this nation and great state of Washington; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business.