SENATE RESOLUTION
8633
BySenator Schoesler
WHEREAS, Stephen Roy Lindstrom was born in Pendleton, Oregon, on May 20, 1946; and
WHEREAS, Stephen grew up in Ione, Oregon, becoming the fourth generation of Swedish homesteaders; and
WHEREAS, He started his schooling career attending schools throughout Ione, Oregon; and
WHEREAS, Stephen had always been an overachiever, participating in sports, student government, music, and community affairs while in high school; and
WHEREAS, Of course he graduated from high school with honors; and
WHEREAS, Stephen started college at Pacific Lutheran University and ultimately graduated from Eastern Oregon College; and
WHEREAS, After college, Stephen enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees; and
WHEREAS, He served several tours of duty in Vietnam and Antarctica; and
WHEREAS, During his military service Stephen was awarded many honors and medals for his service, most notably the Navy Achievement Medal for Community Service; and
WHEREAS, After his service he worked as the manager of the Port of Marrow; and
WHEREAS, Stephen's start in politics came when he worked as the Vice President of Pacific Northwest Waterways, where he was an advocate for trade and economic development of the Northwest; and
WHEREAS, To continue in politics, Stephen worked as a contract lobbyist and lobbied in Olympia for over 40 years; and
WHEREAS, During this 40 years, Stephen lobbied for many different clients, ranging from transportation to health care, higher education, special districts, business associations, and more; and
WHEREAS, Over the 40 years, he collected many obscure trivia facts, so he always had a "Did you know…" for everything; and
WHEREAS, Stephen was selected as a contract lobbyist in 1991 to help the Washington Student Lobby; and
WHEREAS, Stephen was hired by Brendan Williams, who still to this day does not regret the decision, stating, "Steve was a character, one-of-a-kind. I never regretted choosing him for that special role," and Stephen mentored dozens of lobbyists in his four-decade career; and
WHEREAS, Stephen also created the Wednesday Night Study Group, a group of health care professionals, advocates, regulators, and legislators, which he was passionate about and even scouted out the venues, and chose the food, drink, and guests for years and years, making sure that the group's week was up to his own epic sense of standards; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Stephen collected many pieces of historical art, as he was committed to historical preservation; and
WHEREAS, Stephen served on the Washington State Capital Facilities Committee, serving the State Capitol and the State of Washington with a commitment to art and historic preservation; and
WHEREAS, Stephen truly was a man who believed one should live a life of showing kindness to all and enhancing the lives of those you meet;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington recognize and commemorate Stephen Roy Lindstrom on his outstanding service and consideration to everyone.