By Senators Schoesler, Hewitt, Litzow, King, Becker, Honeyford, Bailey, Braun, Pearson, Dammeier, O'Ban, Rivers, Parlette, Angel, Brown, Padden, Warnick, Dansel, Ericksen, Miloscia, Hill, Hargrove, Hobbs, Chase, Sheldon, Benton, and Fraser

WHEREAS, Judy Rogers-LaVigne has been drawn to the world of politics for much of her adult life, like a moth to a bug zapper; and

WHEREAS, Judy began her career with the Washington legislature as a session aide in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Later that same year Judy served as the state coordinator for Initiative 601, working closely with her friend and mentor state Senator Linda Smith; and

WHEREAS, Judy served as a dedicated congressional staffer for United States Representative Linda Smith from 1995 to 1997, providing compassionate, patient, and dedicated service to the hundreds of individuals and families who sought assistance from the 3rd district congresswoman; and

WHEREAS, Judy returned to the Washington legislature in 1999 as a legislative assistant for state Senator Joe Zarelli; and

WHEREAS, During that same year Judy met the love of her life, George LaVigne, who swept her off her feet by providing a Y2K fix to her home computer--when Judy saw her cat loved George, the rest was history; and

WHEREAS, Judy's husband, George, is wondering what to do with the hundreds of Beanie Babies Judy is now bringing home from her office; and

WHEREAS, Judy became the executive assistant to the Republican Caucus in 2007, where she has provided excellent administrative assistance, motherly advice, and adult supervision; and

WHEREAS, Judy took to heart the insightful advice of her predecessor, Bonnie Boushele, that "a well-fed senator is a happy senator"; and

WHEREAS, This advice led to visits to the Majority Coalition Caucus room by not only Majority Coalition members, but also other visitors like Senator Hargrove; and

WHEREAS, Judy's sons, Shay, Chris, and Andy, are indeed the pride of her life, but they now have serious competition with the arrival two years ago of granddaughter Macy, and the pending arrival of a second granddaughter, to be named later; and

WHEREAS, Judy is also responsible for a constituent, Miss Heidi, who brings great joy to all she meets and who is a particular favorite of Senator Fain's and Senator Hewitt's offices; and

WHEREAS, Judy will be sorely missed by all who know her and have had the privilege to work with her during her more than two decades of service at the Washington legislature;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate officially honor and thank Judy Rogers-LaVigne for her many years of dedication and hard work on behalf of the people of the state of Washington; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Judy Rogers-LaVigne and her family.