S-432                 _______________________________________________

                                   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8405

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senators Peterson, Patterson, Bauer, Zimmerman, Hansen, Conner, Garrett, Bender, Sellar, Newhouse, Vognild, Moore, Talmadge and Conner; by request of Lieutenant Governor

Read first time 1/23/87 and referred to Committee on  Transportation.

WHEREAS, Senator Al Henry served southwestern Washington in the Legislature for over forty years and represented the area longer than any other legislative member; and

          WHEREAS, Al Henry devoted his efforts during these forty years to improving the quality of life for not only the citizens of his district, but the citizens of the entire state; and

          WHEREAS, Senator Henry's commitment to State Government was evidenced by his having been elected to serve as President Pro Tempore of the State Senate for sixteen years, and as Mayor of White Salmon for fourteen years; and

          WHEREAS, Al Henry always responded to the needs of his constituents; and

          WHEREAS, Senator Henry recognized the importance of transportation to the economy of Washington and the quality of life for its citizens; and

          WHEREAS, Al Henry served as Chairman of the House Committee on Roads, Streets and Bridges in 1945, and continued throughout his career to dedicate his energies toward improvements for highways and bridges as well as other modes of transportation throughout the state; he chaired the Legislative Transportation Committee from 1967 to 1973 and the Senate Transportation Committee from 1976 through 1980; and

          WHEREAS, The Senator was instrumental in the passage of legislation authorizing numerous bridge projects around the state, some of the more noteworthy being the Hood Canal and the second Lake Washington Floating Bridges; the second Tacoma Narrows Bridge; the high level West Seattle Bridge and the I-205 Bridge; and

          WHEREAS, Numerous organizations within Al Henry's area have submitted letters to Lieutenant Governor John A. Cherberg, in his capacity as President of the Senate and to the present legislative delegation from the seventeenth legislative district requesting special recognition of their former Senator's many accomplishments;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That the Washington State Legislature recognize and extend its best wishes to one of the most dedicated individuals to have ever served the citizens of the state -- (and a man attributed by the Senate as having the "fastest gavel in the West"); and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to change the name of the Wind River Bridge in Skamania County to the Senator Al Henry Bridge.