By Senators Liias, Fain, King, Keiser, Benton, Nelson, Frockt, Jayapal, McCoy, McAuliffe, Fraser, and Habib

WHEREAS, Joan M. "Joni" Earl is retiring from her position as Chief Executive Officer of Sound Transit after leading the agency for fifteen years; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Earl's prior government experience as Deputy County Executive of Snohomish County, City Manager of Mill Creek, and Director of Internal Management and Chief Fiscal Officer of Kitsap County together made her uniquely suited to pay attention to both the big picture and the financial bottom line, and she brought to Sound Transit laser-sharp business sense and drive for results; and

WHEREAS, From the time she was named Acting Executive Director in January 2001 and made Executive Director six months later, Ms. Earl instilled an agency culture of accountability and transparency around doing public projects; and

WHEREAS, In her 15 years leading Sound Transit, the agency evolved to become one of the nation's leading transit agencies; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Earl and her leadership team dramatically restructured the way Sound Transit manages major projects, which by 2003 led to the restoration of $500 million in federal funding for building the initial segment of the Link regional light rail system; and

WHEREAS, Link light rail service opened between Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport in 2009; and

WHEREAS, As Sound Transit's CEO and throughout her public career, Ms. Earl has forged important partnerships, working closely with elected and community leaders at all levels and across political aisles, in particular with the late Representative Ruth Fisher, after whom the Sound Transit board room is named; and

WHEREAS, Sound Transit's regional system of ST Express buses, Sounder trains, and Link light rail will provide more than 41 million rides this year, improving the economic and social health of central Puget Sound, home to 40 percent of the state's population, 70 percent of our state's economic activity, and 97 percent of our state's congestion; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Earl's extraordinary vision and leadership provide a legacy for generations to come, truly leaving Puget Sound communities and our economy better than she found them, and we are grateful for her remarkable contributions to the state of Washington; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Earl's service is marked not only by her accomplishments, but also through the dignified way she treated her coworkers, employees, and the community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize and congratulate Ms. Joni Earl for her lifetime of outstanding public service, and for her dedication to transparency and accountability in doing the public's business; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Ms. Earl and to the Board of Directors of Sound Transit.