TO THE HONORABLE LYNN PETERSON, SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, Former Washington state Senator Mary Margaret Haugen of Island County rose from humble beginnings to a long and distinguished career in public service, serving three terms as a member of the Stanwood school board, ten years in the Washington State House of Representatives from 1982 to 1992, and twenty years in the Washington State Senate from 1993 to 2013; and

WHEREAS, During her thirty-year tenure as a legislator, she built a reputation as one of the Steel Magnolias and for her considerable skill at working across the aisle, fostering cooperation, and championing progress over politics; and

WHEREAS, While in her capacity as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, steering billions of dollars across the state to build roads, fix bridges, and operate ferries, she never lost sight of the needs in her community; and

WHEREAS, She worked tirelessly to bring an Amtrak Cascades passenger rail stop to Stanwood in Snohomish County; and

WHEREAS, The Amtrak Cascades rail service began making stops at Stanwood station in 2009 and now makes four daily stops; and

WHEREAS, The six hundred-foot platform at Stanwood station is fully accessible and includes covered ramps, railings, seating, lighting, and landscaping to blend in with downtown Stanwood; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the State of Washington to recognize Mary Margaret Haugen's lifelong commitment to public service generally, and to her community of Stanwood specifically;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to name the Stanwood railway station, "Mary Margaret Haugen Station."

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Lynn Peterson, Secretary of Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Commission, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

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