SENATE BILL REPORT

SCR 8428

BYSenators DeJarnatt, Patterson, Rasmussen, Zimmerman, Hayner, Garrett, Conner, Bauer, Moore and Smith

Commending Julia Butler Hansen for her career of public service.

AS PASSED SENATE, JANUARY 29, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Julia Butler Hansen served 22 years in the Washington State Legislature and gave her full support to improvements in the highway, bridge and transportation systems of the state, achieving leadership roles that were heretofore unavailable to any woman.  She initiated laws establishing the Joint Committee on Highways and the Washington State Highway Commission, which removed the Governor's control of the state highway system.

Mrs. Hansen served 15 years in the United States House of Representatives, becoming the first woman ever to chair an Appropriations committee.  Upon her retirement from Congress she was appointed immediately to the Washington State Transportation Commission, serving as Chair in 1979-80.  She retired to her home in Cathlamet, Washington, December 31, 1980 after forty years of public service.  She is an expert on northwest history, a published author and has been a devoted wife and mother to her late husband, Henry and her son, David.

There is a landmark bridge between Mrs. Hansen's home in Cathlamet and Puget Island on State Route 409.  It was the first of many bridges built through the efforts of Julia Butler Hansen.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Transportation Commission shall commence proceedings to change the name of the Puget Island Bridge to the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge to commemorate her dedicated efforts to improve the state's transportation network.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested