NOTICE: Formatting and page numbering in this document may be different
from that in the original published version.
FORTIETH DAY
MORNING SESSION
House Chamber, Olympia, Friday, February 18, 2000
The House was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Speaker Ballard. The Clerk called the roll and a quorum was present.
The flag was escorted to the rostrum by a Sergeant at Arms Color Guard, Pages Rachel Wells and Daniel Jones. The prayers were offered by Pastor Jerry Cook, Eastside Foursquare Church, Kirkland and by Pastor Leslie David Braxton, Mt. Zion Church of Seattle.
Reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was ordered to stand approved.
RESOLUTIONS
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4757, by Representatives Lovick, Lantz, Rockefeller, O'Brien, Wensman, D. Schmidt, McDonald, Constantine, Conway, Santos, Hatfield, Carlson, Thomas, Hankins, Dickerson, Fortunato, Esser, Talcott, Kenney, Edmonds, Kagi, Veloria, Pflug, Skinner and Barlean
WHEREAS, Black History Month was established in February 1926 by Carter G. Woodson as Negro History Week and was later expanded to Afro-American History Month in 1976 in honor of the nation's bicentennial; and
WHEREAS, This year's theme for Black History Month is "Heritage and Horizons: The African-American Legacy and the Challenges of the 21st Century," as determined each year by the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History; and
WHEREAS, It was Carter G. Woodson's hope that through this special observance, all Americans would be reminded of their ethnic roots and develop a mutual respect for the contributions of all racial groups in America; and
WHEREAS, For more than 300 years as part of an established system of slavery and human bondage, Black Americans toiled and survived, and then overcame the degradation and shame of this system to become contributors at every level of our public and private endeavors; and
WHEREAS, The desire to succeed and contribute to America caused Black Americans to defy racial hostility, Jim Crow Laws, and economic and social injustices; and
WHEREAS, This willingness to succeed and the love for their country has left a positive impact on American culture and society in areas of education, medicine, industry, the military, religion, social sciences, philosophy, agriculture, engineering, and the arts; and
WHEREAS, Black Americans continue to contribute widely to the attainment of peace, equality, and justice, and all Americans deserve to know of the great moments and accomplishments of Black Americans; and
WHEREAS, George Washington Bush was the first Black American to serve in the Washington Territorial Legislature; Representatives Charles Stokes and Marjorie Pitter King were the first Black American man and woman to serve in the legislature following the proclamation of Washington statehood; and Charles Z. Smith was the first Black American to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature is honored to have among its former members the following elected Black American Representatives and Senators: Sam Smith, Michael Ross, Peggie Joan Maxie, George Fleming, Bill Smitherman, Jesse Wineberry, Vivian Caver, and Dawn Mason; and
WHEREAS, There have been major contributions made to Washington State history by Black American citizens including: Civil rights leader Edwin T. Pratt; poet Mona Lake Jones; artists Jacob Lawrence and James Washington; historian Esther Mumford; and musicians Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, and Jimi Hendrix; and
WHEREAS, Washington is a beautiful state, and America is a proud nation due to our recognition of the contributions made by many diverse ethnic populations and because of our ability to work together as a state dependent upon international peace, harmony, and cooperation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize February 2000, as Black History Month, in recognition of Americans of African descent who have contributed to America, a nation in which we take great pride; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State House of Representatives do hereby recognize and appreciate the many benefits of Black History Month to our citizenry and to our culture in general and that we urge all citizens of the State of Washington to join with us in taking the opportunity this month to explore this rich history and expand our world view; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Chair of the Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs, to Judge Charles Stokes, the first African-American member of the Washington State House of Representatives, and to Justice Charles Z. Smith of the Washington State Supreme Court.
Representative Lovick moved adoption of the resolution.
Representatives Lovick, Schmidt, Veloria, Santos, Tokuda, Wensman, Sump, Rockefeller and Conway spoke in favor of the adoption of the resolution.
House Resolution No. 2000-4757 was adopted.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4746, by Representatives Chopp, Ballard, Quall, Hatfield, Doumit, Lambert, Kessler, Grant, Buck, Fisher, Ogden, Linville, Conway, H. Sommers, Talcott, Dickerson, Radcliff, Carlson, Dunshee, Mulliken, Regala, Wolfe, Mastin, Rockefeller, Miloscia, Romero, Wood, Anderson, McMorris, Poulsen, Pennington, G. Chandler, Sump, Barlean, McDonald, Dunn, Schindler, B. Chandler, Campbell, Crouse, Cox, DeBolt, Van Luven, D. Sommers, Lisk, Esser, Schoesler, Ballasiotes, Bush, Cairnes, Carrell, Clements, Cody, Constantine, Delvin, Edwards, Eickmeyer, Ericksen, Fortunato, Haigh, Hankins, Huff, Hurst, Kastama, Keiser, Koster, Lantz, Lovick, Mielke, O'Brien, Parlette, Pflug, Ruderman, K. Schmidt, Schual-Berke, Scott, Skinner, Stensen, Sullivan, Thomas and Wensman
WHEREAS, Former Washington State Representative Bob Basich, who served six terms in unselfish, distinguished work for citizens of Grays Harbor, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum counties, and for all people of Washington, passed away this morning; and
WHEREAS, Affectionately and very appropriately known as "Coach," Representative Basich went peacefully to the next world; and
WHEREAS, Coach Basich and his wonderful wife, Anita, raised three exemplary children in Aberdeen, the city of his birth made all the better for his years of teaching, coaching, and mentoring; and
WHEREAS, The students and staff in classrooms all across Washington were always uppermost in the mind of Representative Basich through his unwavering commitment to improve and strengthen our schools; and
WHEREAS, During a legislative career that will be forever modeled by men and women here and in other state governments, Representative Basich placed maximum importance on protecting and preserving the natural resources that help make our great land so truly magnificent; and
WHEREAS, A United States Navy veteran of World War II, Representative Basich was a champion for the rights and recognition of servicemen and servicewomen who stood ready to make the ultimate sacrifice, and for those American heroes and heroines who did lose their lives in service to our country; and
WHEREAS, Coach Basich, our true friend and colleague, was tireless and scrupulous in his work to highlight the importance of self-esteem, personal accountability, and a positive mental attitude on the part of our young people; and
WHEREAS, The civic-mindedness of Representative Basich was reflected in his Associated Student Body presidencies at Aberdeen High School and Grays Harbor College, and later in his service on the Aberdeen City Council; and
WHEREAS, The steadfast and honorable perspective of Bob Basich was an honest-to-goodness touchstone for peers and contemporaries in classrooms of learning, in gymnasiums and fields of athletic endeavor, and in legislative halls; and
WHEREAS, Coach Basich earned All-American honors as a football player at St. Martin's College and is a member of the school's Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, In his years of teaching and coaching at the high school and college level, Representative Basich was a source of inspiration and motivation for thousands of young men and women; and
WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Coach Basich worked with young athletes of the Grays Harbor communities as an umpire, and as a baseball coach at the Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion, semiprofessional, and minor league levels; and
WHEREAS, A remarkable ballroom dancer, Representative Basich even as we speak is surely dancing with the angels; and
WHEREAS, Although the Legislature hasn't been the same without him and now the world won't be the same without him, Representative Basich would be the first to admonish that we not mourn his passing, but that instead we celebrate his life and the time that he laughed, played, and worked among us;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington celebrate the distinguished legislative, professional, athletic, and, most of all, the personal life of Washington State Representative Bob Basich; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the members of the family of Washington State Representative Bob Basich.
Representative Kessler moved adoption of the resolution.
Representative Kessler: "Thank you Mr. Speaker. It is with great pride and some very strong emotions at the passing of our Representative Bob Basich, that I rise to give tribute to a man that I served with on this House floor for several years. At the celebration of his life at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, many of you were there and you heard Senator Snyder discuss the birth date of Representative Basich and the day that he passed away, but he talked about the hyphen in between and that was the substance of Bob Basich’s life. This man was not just a legislator. He was the most well rounded individual I have known in many, many years. He was an absolutely devoted husband. A father that his children spoke so highly of at his celebration mass, a grandfather, he was a community activist, he was a coach, he was what all of us would like to be and that is well-rounded and devoted to our communities and our families. But around here I think all of us will remember, for those of us who served with him, he had a pin that he wore everyday and it said "ATTITUDE". Bob had this tremendous attitude all the time. He was a very happy person. If you were down he had a smile for you. If you said something that was in the least bit funny, his infectious laugh came out. He was always trying to make people feel good about themselves, feel positive about themselves. As his son John said at the celebration mass, "He made SELF-ESTEEM a buzz word in their house long before it became a national buzz word." Because he believed it. He believed it to his soul and he constantly reminded us of the importance of our individual self-esteem. And it was with great sadness that we lost him so suddenly. He was active right up to the very end. I think that it is with great pleasure that all of us can vote for this resolution and extend our love and our condolences to his family. Thank You!"
Representative Quall: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was seven and a half years ago, when I was elected. I met Bob Basich and Bob came up to me and said, " Are you any relation to the coach at Skagit Valley College?" and I said, "Yea, that’s me.", and that started our friendship. When I came here to Olympia, I found out that he was "COACH". I was at best, assistant coach. It started at that point and we developed a kindred spirit. His devotion to the Grays Harbor Area, that was pointed out the other day. It was Bob Basich that started the Coastal Caucus. He was committed to the citizens there and wanted what was best for them. He had a great commitment to self-esteem and he practiced it daily. His encouragement, his affirmations, his praise. You know, he used to make me laugh a lot and he would like to tease me. And what he would do, I wear a gold bracelet and he would come up to me and play with my gold bracelet and he would say, " Quall, you’re so Mod". Bob also had a spiritual side and he used to like to quote St. Francis of Assisi who said, "Teach the gospel daily and use words only when necessary." He practiced that. Last Wednesday, when I was in Aberdeen at the memorial service - I have been to a lot of memorial services and I know you have been too - I never in my life witnessed an out pouring of affection like I saw that day. I never saw so many grown men weep openly. It was in mid January, and I went with Representative Doumit, we went to Aberdeen, he was going to one of those political gatherings, so I got together with Bob and we went to a basketball game. We went to go watch his grandson play. And it was kind of interesting, because we came into the gym and there was Anita. He greeted her and we walked up the aisle and greeted his son-in-law, and then we walked up the aisle. We sat way up at the top, because he wanted to be able to critique the coach without anybody hearing it. We pretty much could have straightened out that coach in no time, but I will tell you that his grandson was a great player. I know that Bob was very proud of him. I think we will all agree, that it is seldom that you have what you can call a true friend. They are few and far between. I can say about Bob, that he was a true friend. He made an indelible mark on my life. It’s with honor to stand here and share these thoughts with you. Thank you."
Representative Mulliken: "Thank you Mr. Speaker. In 1995, when I came into this body as a freshman one of the things that I first became involved in, with the encouragement of my own seatmates, was to get involved in the Governor’s prayer breakfast. So as a freshman, I was on an executive board of something I knew very little about. But I learned a great deal from it. The good gentleman from District 40, along with my seat mates and several other members in both bodies, and Bob Basich, were very involved. Coming in as a freshman, sometimes if we’d not been involved in anything political ever before in our lives, we don’t realize that aisle down the middle can be crossed. I was one of those freshman who really didn’t know anybody across that aisle. I was a little intimidated to even get acquainted with anybody across that aisle. Bob Basich was one of the ones that changed that and opened that door up for me. I got involved in the Tuesday Morning Bible Study with legislators, staff members, and lobbyists. As we began to share our faith with one another - this was a man who loved his God, who knew his God and wasn’t afraid to express his love and his acceptance of God. It was a privilege to get to know him. I too was at St. Mary’s this week and I am so glad. It was a spiritually uplifting mass. I love Catholic funeral masses anyway. We did share that commonality. But, the thing that really impressed me besides the music, and the homily, and the presentations by his family, was the fact that the church, I think only held six hundred people and it was packed to standing room only and I know that there were well over the capacity in that church, which told me that this man had a richness even beyond these walls, that I only knew about in here. He was a very wealthy man, just evident by the people that were there paying tribute. I am so honored and feel so grateful and privileged to be able to support this resolution and I would like to thank the family of Bob Basich for sharing him, especially to a new freshman in 1995. He was a very effective legislator and person, and I really appreciate that. Thank you Mr. Speaker."
Representative Hatfield: "Thank you Mr. Speaker. When we honored Bob in his retirement in 1996, I told you all of this, but I was a staffer around here so I knew him starting about 1988. But, I had never gotten really close with him. To be honest, I think the family already knows this, my family and I actually opposed Bob on a few primary campaigns, and it had to do with the 19th District, which was split between an A and a B. There was Pacific County who wanted to do away with it and we had a difference of opinion. Bob felt that he represented the half of the district better, and if he’d had his way we all would have had half-districts and we would all probably like that a little bit better. So I came to this body thinking well I know Bob, but I am not going to get along with him very well. It wasn’t long before I realized that it was impossible not to like him. It was impossible not to love him. One time my dad, some of you know my dad, he is quite the character and wasn’t intimidated by anybody. He walked up to Bob and shook his hand, it was after one of the elections, it was in either November or December, and he said, "You know Bob, we supported you in the general", and without missing a beat Bob said, "You know Stan if the Hatfield Family ever supported me in a primary, I would know I was in trouble.", and after that Dad was at home he said, "You know that Basich, he’s alright." He was alright. He taught me a lot of things during the two years we spent here as seatmates. He taught me not to take myself or this place too seriously. I've got a few stories to share with you. I remember a few times, in the mens restroom you would see him in the mirror and he would kind of catch me out of the corner of his eye, and then he would sort of start primping himself and he would look in the mirror and say, " You know I must be twins, cause there is just no way one man could be this good looking." Another time, we were both on our way home. We traveled the same highway. I'd turn off at Montesano and head down to Raymond and he would go on to Aberdeen. I think it must have been after a Saturday session. I was driving along and here came Bob in his big blue car. He came up and pulled up along side of me, and looked over at me, just both hands on the wheel at first and with all seriousness and looked over at me and then he, with all seriousness as well, gave me a gesture that I can’t repeat here on the House floor. Then just sped on off towards Aberdeen after that. My favorite story though is when we were in a joint committee, I think it was House Education and Higher Education, Commerce & Labor was there I think as well. We were going over the Workforce Training Task Force recommendations, and I have shared this story with some of you. The visual, is a little bit better, it is one of those where you had to have been there. They had some great plans for education, and business came in and said here’s what we would like the students trained in because we need good workers. I thought this was all great, but it was a high price tag. So I thought this is going to be pretty expensive, and so you know how we pass notes in committee. I just wrote down - "Need $, this is going to be an expensive program." and I handed it to Bob and he looked at it again, with a serious look and he got out his pen and wrote on the bottom of it a little message for me, folded and handed it back to me. On the message it said, "I can only loan you 3 dollars." I lost it in committee. I had to go out. But on a serious side, some people have mentioned, Bob did form our Coastal Caucus and from the groans that I hear out of my colleagues, I know we are still a fairly effective force whenever I mention that word. He promoted the Twin Harbors every chance he got. He fought to keep our people working and he fought to keep our beaches open. I was going to mention that he probably had something to do with the clam digging this weekend. But I understand now it’s been canceled. I have a feeling Bob is lobbying God right now, about daemonic acid and trying to get something done about that. In 1996 after announcing a decision not to run, he told me. I never told anyone else this. But he said he wanted to go out on top. He'd had a tough primary and a tough general election that year, and he did "want to go out on top", he said. But you know from his dance classes that he continued to teach, his work in his church, his involvement in sports and continuing to promote self-esteem with kids. You know kids really were his life. The one thing that really struck me about Wednesday’s memorial was the number of kids that were there. That was really a glowing tribute to Bob. He was also just voted Best Senior Citizen Role Model, Aberdeen Daily World poll and so the article hasn’t even run in the paper yet. But Coach you went out on top. Thank you."
Representative Carlson: "Thank you Mr. Speaker. The memories that I have of Bob Basich certainly relate to the Appropriations Committee. When sitting in a 3:30 in the afternoon meeting, when you are having one agency group report one after the other, I am sitting on one side and he is sitting on the other side and the sun is sometimes coming in. Since he was from the foggy bottom, we can appreciate the fact that the sun was somewhat of a rare commodity and being born in Aberdeen, and Bob knowing that I was born in Aberdeen, we sometimes would get eye contact, but as I would swivel the chair and look up at that at about 4:30 in the afternoon presentation, Bob did have some struggles with the maintaining of the concentration on the enlightening conversation that the agency was presenting. But Bob was also a wonderful friend and coach, and I had the pleasure of knowing his son, who spoke at his memorial service and John, I am sure he hurt the worst, and I am sure the family is going to miss him as we are. Speaking in support of the resolution. Thank you."
Representative Radcliff: "Thank you Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen, I regret that I was unable to attend the service that took place last week for former Representative Basich because it sounds like it was a wonderful experience. My experience with Bob is a little different maybe than some of you. I never had the opportunity to really work with him. We didn’t serve on a committee together, we didn’t work an issue together. However, we did something better. We had an opportunity to play together and Representative Basich certainly knew how to play in a healthy spirit. I really got to know him through a time honored tradition around here, which regretfully I don’t have time to honor much any more, but that’s the Thursday night Karaoke sessions, and that is where Bob and I got to know each other, and it got to the point where every Thursday afternoon, he’d find me whereever I’d happen to be, just to find out if I was going to Karaoke that night. I always told him. He kind of made a joke about how he liked to hear me sing. I would always tell him that I was going there specifically just to watch him dance. I am telling you if you never saw this man dance, he could move like nothing I have ever seen. He was the most graceful thing on his feet I have ever seen. While music is a very big and important part of my life, I am a terrible dancer. And I used to love to just watch him. It got to the point and I think that Representative Dickerson will remember this. It got to the point, where Bob offered to give some of us dance lessons here. We used to meet over in Hearing room E, in the O’Brien Building and Bob would give us dance lessons before we would go to Karaoke. As much as I valued that opportunity, I am still a terrible dancer. I will never forget one day after Bob had let us know that he was not going to be running again. I’d had a particularly trying day, I hadn’t yet learned that some of the things that we pass around here are only bills and never become laws and I was very disturbed about something. I had been in Speaker Ballard’s office talking with him about an issue I was very concerned about and I was visible very upset. I left the Speakers office and walked out and down the steps into the Rotunda and there was nobody around and I happen to run into Representative Basich, who could tell that I was visible upset. All he had to do was take me and turn me a couple of turns, and we danced just a couple of steps, but I am telling you it changed that day for me. I remember saying to Bob on one of the committee weeks, just prior to his leaving the house, I said, "Bob I hope you will come back and see us pretty regularly." and he said, "You know he has seen other legislators leave the legislature and then come back and still feel like they are still in control of things." He didn’t want to do that. He wanted to leave on top, as his former seatmate noted. I really believe that he did leave on top, everybody that had an opportunity to serve with Bob, even though we didn’t get a chance to maybe work with him, he touched our lives and he touched us deeply. I am going to miss him, as we all are going to miss him. He was a valuable part of this body and a valuable part of my life. I can’t see the family, but I want you to know how much I value you, for sharing him with the Legislature and with Washington State for as long you did. Thank You!"
Representative Doumit: "Thank you Mr. Speaker and members of the House. I have the honor of serving in Bob’s seat in the House. He always encouraged me with a smile and with his useful way about life. We all have a lot of stories to tell Mr. Speaker, but with your permission, I would like to read a poem that Senator Snyder read, that I think has a message in it for all of us. Thank you. "I read of a man who stood up to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on his tombstone, from the beginning to the end. He noted that first came the date of his birth and spoke of the following dates with tears. He said that what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth and now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own - the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard. Are there things you would like to change? For you never know how much time is left, you could be that dash mid-range. If we could just look down long enough to consider what is true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel and be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we have never have loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash only lasts a little while. So when your eulogy is being read with your life action to re-hash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?" We feel Bob spent his dash extremely well Mr. Speaker. And would like to wish him Sine Die "Coach". We are going to miss you."
Representative Campbell: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Much like the gentleman from the 40th District, I came in with a big freshman class back in ‘93 and with great passion at that time about a number of issues and I remember very well being referred to as Kid, a couple of times. I had taken that a little personal at first, thinking I’m no kid! But, I soon learned to realize the love that was meant when it was said. I guess in a legislative sense indeed I was a kid, I just didn’t realize it. Like most teenagers, they know everything when they get there. But later on as the years unfold you realize how ignorant you really are. It was good to have Bob there at times when, believe it or not, I was involved in a controversial matter or two in those days. Bob was there to say "Kid, it’s going to be o. k. This is all going to go away and things are going to get better." And they did. It was his gentle hand and voice at times I think that really humanizes things around here. You always need a Bob Basich in the Body. You always need someone to kind of remind you that the issues, they come and then go. But, the people are things that we represent, and what we are, we bring to the table in a passionate way. But when the day is done it’s all of us together representing all of the people that we believe in and the issues that are in our heart that is what is left. Bob brought that gentle voice that I think made us realize, once again that it’s the individuals that matter. The institution is important. The biting, the mean-spiritedness had really no place and will go away. And you will remember the good times. I remember Bob in the most favorable way, like was heard so many times in previous speeches. The laughter, the joking, I can’t think of one negative thing I could say about Bob Basich. I remember when I left the Legislature in 1996 and came back I was saddened that he was not back here when I returned, because I really did enjoy the camaraderie and presence. I never actually served on a committee with Bob, although we talked together an awful lot. I certainly remember all those wonderful qualities that we have been talking about. Those of you who’ve not had the opportunity to serve with him, you missed a rich experience and I can tell you that Bob’s mark lays upon our hearts. Bob go with God, and look forward to seeing you again, someday. Thank you Mr. Speaker."
Representative Mastin: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I too, was a part of that class of ‘93 that came in and I actually knew Coach before then, because I didn’t know him, but I had seen him. I had been at the community college state finals, the team he was coaching, I don’t believe that they had won that year. I saw him when I was in High School. Then I came here, I too, like Representative Hatfield, had a conversation with him about this A/B Districts, and I tried to explain to him that indeed, as today I am the junior member from Walla Walla, I explained that to him and he said, "That is exactly why we want to go back to this A/B split, because you wouldn’t be here then." We had a good laugh about that. It was a difficult year. I think every year we have our difficult moments, but that year was particularly difficult. I had a lot of frustration and I just remember "Old Coach", with his little shuffle, and his little clap of the hands and his pointing at you, and I used to sit back on that couch back there sometimes, as I do today wondering why I am here. He came up to me and he reached over and patted me on shoulder and he said, "Kid, it’s going to be O. K." We deal with a lot of difficult issues here and at home we have problems as well. That is something about Coach that I will always remember, something that is in my mind and in my heart, is that the difficult times we face here and the difficult times we face in our lives, his words echo, echo in my memory "Kid, it’s going to be O. K." I think that helps me and I just wanted to express that. Thank you to the family. Thank you for having him be a part of our family here. He meant a lot to us in a lot of ways, as the comments you’ve heard have shown. I just want to stand in honor of "Coach" and the good work he did here and helping us as people and as legislators."
Representative Fisher: "Thank you Mr. Speaker. In 1988, Bob Basich decided that there should be a Korean War Memorial on this campus. I was State Government Chair at the time, the bill was given to my committee. He was absolutely relentless in getting that bill on to the calender. There wasn’t a day that went by that I wasn’t confronted with the Bob Basich shuffle either in the hallway, in my office, somewhere. That bill was going to be passed in this House. And it was. So if any of you wander over to D O T building, which I do on a regular basis, you will pass that monument. I hope at that time you lift your hat or wave your hand and think of Bob Basich because it’s there because of him."
House Resolution No. 2000-4746 was adopted.
Speaker Ballard: "The Speaker would like to take one moment of personal privilege and reflect on an individual that I think without question, everyone can say "To know Bob Basich, was to love Bob Basich." Every morning we had our bible study - once a week and Bob was there. That was one of the best days he had going and the next week it was one of the best days. He was positive, he was upbeat, he was a delight. We talked a lot about celebrating times in which there are difficult situations like this. I think without a question it is clear, that there is great celebration because of what Bob Basich brought into our lives. And we are all richer for it. The Speaker would like to introduce some family members of Bob Basich. Wife, Anita; Son, John. Would they please stand as we announce daughters, Kathy and Chris, son in-law, Leonard, grandchildren, Tiffany, Dominic, Brandon and Mara Lee, and several other cousins and members. Would they stand and be recognized by the Members.
There being no objection, all members' names were added to House Resolution No. 4726.
Speaker Ballard called upon Representative Pennington to preside.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4755, by Representatives Carlson, Ogden, Mielke, Boldt, Pennington, Dunn, Wensman and Thomas
WHEREAS, Fort Vancouver was established by the Hudson's Bay Company on March 19, 1825, becoming the first permanent nonnative settlement in what is today the State of Washington; and
WHEREAS, In the fields, forests, and rivers at Fort Vancouver, the Hudson's Bay Company began many of the Pacific Northwest's first industries: Agriculture, lumber, and fisheries; and
WHEREAS, Fort Vancouver was home to an incredibly diverse group of people from around the world including English, Chinook, Scottish, Klickitat, Iroquois, French-Canadian, Hawaiian, and Metis; and
WHEREAS, Fort Vancouver, despite being a British fort, aided American missionaries and Oregon Trail settlers who arrived in the 1830's and 1840's; and
WHEREAS, Fort Vancouver was the social, economic, and political center of the Pacific Northwest in the 1820's, 1830's, and 1840's; and
WHEREAS, The site of Fort Vancouver, its waterfront, portions of its agricultural fields, and employees' village are preserved and shared with the public by the National Park Service for both present and future generations; and
WHEREAS, The year 2000 is the 175th Anniversary of the establishment of Fort Vancouver; and
WHEREAS, The National Park Service has planned several events to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the establishment of Fort Vancouver, including a living history reenactment of the 1825 opening of the fort;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize the 175th Anniversary of the establishment of Fort Vancouver and its importance to our state's history; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Fort Vancouver Historical Site.
Representative Carlson moved adoption of the resolution.
Representatives Carlson and Ogden spoke in favor of the adoption of the resolution.
House Resolution No. 2000-4755 was adopted.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4756, by Representatives D. Schmidt, Wensman, Hatfield, Thomas, Hankins, Dickerson, Kagi and Pflug
WHEREAS, Alan Rosenthal is a professor of public policy at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University, and for two decades served as the Director of the Institute; and
WHEREAS, Professor Rosenthal has dedicated his professional life to studying state legislatures and has consulted with numerous state legislatures on matters of organization, procedure, and ethics; and
WHEREAS, Among Professor Rosenthal's several books are Legislative Life, Drawing the Line: Legislative Ethics in the States, and his most recent book, The Decline of Representative Democracy; and
WHEREAS, In the last several years, the Washington State Legislature has been honored to have Professor Rosenthal participate in the Legislative Staff Leadership Institute and serve as a featured speaker in the House of Representatives Integrity in Government Series; and
WHEREAS, Professor Rosenthal continues to share his expertise and experience and is working with the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Political Science Association, and the Center for Civic Education on a multiyear project entitled A New Public Perspective on Representative Democracy. This project is an outreach and civic education program to explain representative democracy, legislatures, lawmakers, and the legislative process to citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor Professor Alan Rosenthal for the numerous contributions he has made throughout the years to the understanding of state legislatures; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to Professor Rosenthal.
Representative Schmidt moved adoption of the resolution.
Representatives Schmidt and Dickerson spoke in favor of the adoption of the resolution.
House Resolution No. 2000-4756 was adopted.
Speaker Ballard introduced Professor Alan Rosenthal who addressed the House.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4732, by Representatives Ogden, Carlson, Dunn, Boldt and Wensman
WHEREAS, The Southwest Washington Independent Forward Thrust, or SWIFT, is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary this year; and
WHEREAS, Twenty-five years ago, the City of Vancouver celebrated its one hundred fiftieth birthday and hosted an auction to raise money for various celebratory activities; and
WHEREAS, The success of the auction, which raised twenty-eight thousand dollars, inspired Vancouver's civic leaders to turn the auction into an annual, community-wide affair, and created SWIFT; and
WHEREAS, SWIFT was formed to create community pride, to expand citizen involvement in the community, to help establish an identity for Vancouver and Clark County, and to raise money for community projects and needs that otherwise would not be met; and
WHEREAS, SWIFT has awarded two million nine hundred thousand dollars in grants to more than nine hundred nonprofit organizations that benefit people who live or work in Southwest Washington; and
WHEREAS, SWIFT's commitment to the Southwest Washington community demands that one hundred percent of all auction proceeds be given back to the community through grants; and
WHEREAS, Driven by volunteer efforts, SWIFT provides an opportunity for people from all backgrounds and experiences to work together and make a difference in the Southwest Washington community; and
WHEREAS, In the last twenty-five years, more than five hundred civic leaders have volunteered as SWIFT board members; and
WHEREAS, Through the continual sharing of time, abilities, and resources, SWIFT is not only a community success, but a symbol of the shared pride and spirit visible throughout Southwest Washington;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor SWIFT's contributions to Southwest Washington; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the City of Vancouver, and to SWIFT's board of directors.
Representative Ogden moved adoption of the resolution.
Representatives Ogden and Carlson spoke in favor of the adoption of the resolution.
House Resolution No. 2000-4732 was adopted.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4742, by Representatives Tokuda, Santos, Delvin, B. Chandler, Kenney, Quall, O'Brien, Romero, Cairnes, Schoesler, Veloria, Kagi, Murray, Wensman, D. Schmidt, Constantine, Conway, Thomas, Fortunato, Rockefeller, Edmonds and Pflug
WHEREAS, On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced assembly, evacuation, and internment of approximately 12,000 Japanese Americans residing in the state of Washington; and
WHEREAS, The order for assembly and detention at Camp Harmony in Puyallup, Washington, prior to evacuation and subsequent internment caused the Japanese Americans from the state of Washington to lose millions of dollars in property and assets, to suffer immeasurable physical and psychological damage, and to be deprived of their constitutional liberties without due process of law; and
WHEREAS, The alleged purpose of this drastic course of action was to prevent Japanese Americans, all of whom were deemed disloyal and untrustworthy, from committing acts of espionage and sabotage against the United States during the period of its involvement in World War II; and
WHEREAS, An overwhelming number of Japanese Americans from the state of Washington responded to questions of their loyalty and patriotism by volunteering from within barbed wire camps to serve in the United States Military Intelligence Service and the United States Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the latter of which became the most decorated American unit of its size in World War II with 7 Presidential Unit Citations, a Congressional Medal of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 588 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 9,486 Purple Hearts, and a total of 18 decorations from France and Italy; and
WHEREAS, A few equally patriotic Japanese Americans like Gordon Hirabayashi, then a student at the University of Washington, were willing to face imprisonment to seek justice by challenging the constitutionality of the evacuation and internment orders; and
WHEREAS, Hindsight has proven that the predominant factor that actually led to the internment of Japanese Americans was not a military necessity to protect the United States from possible espionage or sabotage, but was the result of "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership"; and
WHEREAS, Japanese American internees from the state of Washington endured economic, physical, and psychological hardship and suffered in silence for over 40 years before the state of Washington provided monetary redress and reparations to municipal and state employees;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, along with the people of Washington, pause in its endeavors this day to recognize the Japanese American internees from the state of Washington and honor their patience, heroism, sacrifice, and patriotic loyalty, and to remember the lessons and blessings of liberty and justice for all; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Nisei Veterans Committee, the Military Intelligence Service - Northwest Association, and the Japanese American Citizens League.
House Resolution No. 2000-4742 was adopted.
The Speaker (Representative Pennington presiding) called upon Representative B. Chandler to preside.
INTRODUCTIONS AND FIRST READING
HB 3144 by Representatives Conway, Clements, Thomas and Rockefeller; by request of Secretary of State
AN ACT Relating to electronic filing of corporation and limited liability company annual reports; and amending RCW 23B.16.220, 25.15.105, 25.15.085, and 25.15.095.
Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.
There being no objection, the bill listed on the day's introduction sheet under the fourth order of business were referred to the committees so designated.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
There being no objection, House Bill No. 2591 was referred to the Rules Committee.
There being no objection, the House advanced to the eighth order of business.
There being no objection, SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6194 was referred from the Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections to the Committee on Natural Resources, and ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 6250 was referred from the Committee on Agriculture and Ecology to the Committee on Finance.
There being no objection, the House advanced to the eleventh order of business.
There being no objection, the House adjourned until 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 21, 2000, the 43rd Legislative Day.
TIMOTHY A. MARTIN, Chief Clerk CLYDE BALLARD, Speaker
CYNTHIA ZEHNDER, Chief Clerk FRANK CHOPP, Speaker