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SECOND DAY
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NOON SESSION
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Senate Chamber, Olympia, Tuesday, January 15, 2002
The Senate was called to order at 12:00 noon by President Pro Tempore Franklin. No roll call was taken.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.
MESSAGE FROM STATE AGENCY
STATE OF WASHINGTON
REPORT OF THE WASHINGTON STATE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING
JANUARY, 2002
INTRODUCTION
The following report has been prepared by the Washington State Redistricting Commission in accordance with the requirements of RCW 44.05.080(7). This report includes the redistricting plan resolutions prepared by the Commission for legislative and congressional districts, statewide and individual district maps, and population reports.
The Commission expects to provide subsequent report addendums at a later date.
The Report on the Washington State Redistricting Commission is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
January 14, 2002
MR. PRESIDENT:
The House has passed:
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8422,
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8423,
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8424, and the same are herewith transmitted.
CYNTHIA ZEHNDER, Chief Clerk
SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT
The President signed:
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8422,
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8423,
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8424.
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
SB 6299 by Senators Jacobsen, Oke, Spanel, Morton, Hargrove and Rasmussen (by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife)
AN ACT Relating to duplicate fish and wildlife documents; and amending RCW 77.32.256.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6300 by Senators Jacobsen, Oke and Morton (by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife)
AN ACT Relating to requiring recreational fishing licenses; and amending RCW 77.32.010.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6301 by Senators Oke, Jacobsen, Spanel, Snyder, Hargrove and Rasmussen (by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife)
AN ACT Relating to group fishing permits; adding a new section to chapter 77.32 RCW; and repealing RCW 77.32.235.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6302 by Senators Fairley, Kline, Franklin, Keiser and McAuliffe
AN ACT Relating to workers' compensation for multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome; adding a new section to chapter 51.08 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 51.32 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions.
SB 6303 by Senators Franklin and Long
AN ACT Relating to nonparental visitation rights; amending RCW 26.09.240 and 26.10.160; adding a new section to chapter 26.10 RCW; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 6304 by Senators Prentice, Parlette, Rasmussen and Oke
AN ACT Relating to the hand harvesting of fruit; and amending RCW 49.46.060.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions.
SB 6305 by Senator Jacobsen
AN ACT Relating to tax exemptions for high gas mileage vehicles; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Environment, Energy and Water.
SB 6306 by Senator Jacobsen
AN ACT Relating to cultural resources with respect to forest practices; and reenacting and amending RCW 76.09.020.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6307 by Senator Jacobsen
AN ACT Relating to the sale of logs and wood from state-owned aquatic lands; and amending RCW 79.24.580.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6308 by Senators Prentice, Winsley and Fairley (by request of Employment Security Department)
AN ACT Relating to application methods for unemployment insurance temporary total disability determinations; and amending RCW 50.06.030.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions.
SB 6309 by Senators Prentice, Winsley and Fairley (by request of Employment Security Department)
AN ACT Relating to correcting rate class 16 in schedule B by amending RCW 50.29.025 and making no other changes; and amending RCW 50.29.025.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions.
SB 6310 by Senator Jacobsen
AN ACT Relating to strong beer; amending RCW 66.24.244, 66.24.250, 66.24.261, 66.24.270, 66.24.290, 66.24.320, 66.24.330, 66.24.371, 66.24.452, and 82.08.150; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions.
SB 6311 by Senators McCaslin and Winsley
AN ACT Relating to juror compensation; amending RCW 2.36.150, 3.50.135, 35.20.090, 84.52.010, 84.52.043, and 43.135.060; and adding a new section to chapter 84.52 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 6312 by Senator McCaslin
AN ACT Relating to excess property tax levies of up to six years; amending RCW 17.28.100, 17.28.252, 35.58.116, 35.61.210, 36.58.150, 36.60.040, 36.68.480, 36.73.060, 36.83.030, 36.100.050, 70.44.060, 70.94.091, and 84.52.052; and providing a contingent effective date.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6313 by Senator Oke
AN ACT Relating to derelict fishing gear; amending RCW 77.15.170; adding new sections to chapter 77.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 77.55 RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6314 by Senator Prentice
AN ACT Relating to choice of law and forum for computer information agreements; and adding a new chapter to Title 4 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 6315 by Senators Gardner, Snyder, Carlson, Roach, Winsley, Hale and Rasmussen (by request of Secretary of State Reed)
AN ACT Relating to funding and expenditures of the secretary of state; amending RCW 43.07.037, 43.07.130, 40.14.020, and 42.17.710; adding a new section to chapter 43.07 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 42.52 RCW.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6316 by Senators Kastama, Horn, Prentice, Johnson, Eide, Finkbeiner, McCaslin, McDonald, Swecker, Jacobsen, Fairley, Oke, Costa, Thibaudeau, Morton and Benton
AN ACT Relating to electric personal assistive mobility devices; amending RCW 46.04.320, 46.04.330, 46.04.332, 46.04.670, 46.20.500, 46.61.710, and 35.75.020; and adding a new section to chapter 46.04 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Transportation.
SB 6317 by Senators Kline, McCaslin, Fairley and Winsley
AN ACT Relating to awarding costs to the prevailing party for enforcement of the judgment in small claims cases; and amending RCW 12.40.105.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 6318 by Senators Keiser and Fairley
AN ACT Relating to city charter elections; and amending RCW 35.22.100, 35.22.190, and 35A.09.070.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6319 by Senator Fraser
AN ACT Relating to numbering, placement, and division of subsections; amending RCW 90.03.290 and 90.03.380; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Environment, Energy and Water.
SB 6320 by Senators Gardner, McCaslin, Horn, T. Sheldon, Winsley and Oke (by request of Secretary of State Reed)
AN ACT Relating to voter registration applications; and amending RCW 29.07.115.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6321 by Senators Gardner, McCaslin, Roach, T. Sheldon, Keiser, McAuliffe, Hale and Oke (by request of Secretary of State Reed)
AN ACT Relating to electronically filing declarations of candidacy; amending RCW 29.15.010 and 29.15.030; adding new sections to chapter 29.15 RCW; and creating new sections.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6322 by Senators Gardner, McCaslin, Fairley, Roach, Keiser, Winsley, Hale and Oke (by request of Secretary of State Reed)
AN ACT Relating to methods and procedures for vote recording and reporting; amending RCW 29.33.041, 29.33.081, 29.33.130, 29.33.145, 29.33.300, 29.33.310, 29.33.320, 29.33.330, 29.33.350, 29.04.200, and 29.85.051; adding a new section to chapter 29.85 RCW; repealing RCW 29.33.340; and prescribing penalties.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6323 by Senators Gardner, McCaslin, Fairley and Winsley (by request of Secretary of State Reed)
AN ACT Relating to requirements for filing an initiative or referendum; and amending RCW 29.79.010.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6324 by Senators Gardner, Horn, T. Sheldon, Roach, McCaslin, Winsley and Hale (by request of Secretary of State Reed)
AN ACT Relating to a statewide voter registration data base; adding a new section to chapter 29.04 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6325 by Senators Gardner, Horn, T. Sheldon, Roach, McCaslin, Winsley and Oke (by request of Secretary of State Reed)
AN ACT Relating to the administration of elections; and amending RCW 29.60.010, 29.60.030, 29.60.040, 29.60.070, 29.60.080, and 29.60.090.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6326 by Senators Prentice and Winsley
AN ACT Relating to filing reports with the insurance commissioner; and amending RCW 48.05.390.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions.
SB 6327 by Senators Johnson, Zarelli, Hale, Hewitt, Benton, Rossi, Morton, Horn, Winsley, Finkbeiner, Haugen, Keiser, Long, Rasmussen and Oke
AN ACT Relating to United We Stand license plates; amending RCW 46.16.313, 46.16.233, and 46.16.290; and adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Transportation.
SB 6328 by Senators Parlette, Gardner, Hale, Honeyford, Rasmussen and Oke
AN ACT Relating to the definition of cherry harvest temporary labor camp; and amending RCW 70.114A.110.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions.
SB 6329 by Senators Regala, Honeyford, Fraser, Jacobsen and Winsley
AN ACT Relating to vehicles exempted from emission control inspection requirements; and amending RCW 46.16.015.
Referred to Committee on Environment, Energy and Water.
SB 6330 by Senators Regala, Jacobsen, Poulsen, Oke and Swecker
AN ACT Relating to metropolitan park districts; and amending RCW 35.61.010, 35.61.020, 35.61.030, 35.61.040, and 35.61.050.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SB 6331 by Senators Poulsen, Jacobsen, Regala, Oke and Swecker
AN ACT Relating to the use of revenues under the county conservation futures levy; and amending RCW 84.34.230.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6332 by Senators Poulsen, Jacobsen, Regala and Swecker
AN ACT Relating to operation and maintenance of open space, agricultural, and timber lands acquired through the conservation futures program; and amending RCW 84.34.230 and 84.34.240.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6333 by Senators Jacobsen, Poulsen, Regala, Oke, Swecker and McAuliffe
AN ACT Relating to authorizing a local option sales tax to fund parks and recreational facilities; and adding a new section to chapter 82.14 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6334 by Senators Jacobsen, Poulsen, Regala, Oke and Swecker
AN ACT Relating to providing funding for parks and recreational facilities; amending RCW 82.46.010; reenacting and amending RCW 82.46.035; and adding a new section to chapter 82.46 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Parks and Shorelines.
SB 6335 by Senators Long and Hargrove (by request of Department of Social and Health Services)
AN ACT Relating to forensic evaluations; and amending RCW 10.77.060.
Referred to Committee on Human Services and Corrections.
SJM 8026 by Senators Fraser, Honeyford and Regala
Requesting increased borrowing authority for the Bonneville Power Administration.
Referred to Committee on Environment, Energy and Water.
SJM 8027 by Senators Parlette, Gardner, Carlson, Hewitt, Swecker, Oke, Long, McCaslin, Benton, Sheahan, Rossi, Winsley, Eide, Keiser, McAuliffe, Hale, Roach, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen
Requesting a day of recognition for fire fighters and emergency medical service technicians.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SJR 8222 by Senator McCaslin
Amending the Constitution to expand the duration excess property taxes can be imposed.
Referred to Committee on State and Local Government.
SCR 8425 by Senators Thibaudeau, McAuliffe, Parlette and Kohl-Welles
Creating the Health Care Insurance Options Working Group.
Referred to Committee on Health and Long-Term Care.
MOTION
At 12:03 p.m., on motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, the Senate recessed until 3:30 p.m.
The Senate was called to order at 3:30 p.m. by President Owen.
MOTION
At 3:30 p.m., on motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, the Senate was declared to be at ease to retire to the House of Representatives for a Joint Session.
JOINT SESSION
The Sergeant at Arms of the House announced the arrival of the Senate at the bar of the House.
Speaker Chopp instructed the Sergeant at Arms of the House and the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate to escort the President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen to his seat on the rostrum.
The Senators were invited to seats within the House Chamber.
Speaker Chopp declared the Joint Session to be in order.
The Clerk of the House of Representatives called the roll of the House.
The Secretary of the Senate called the roll of the Senate.
Speaker Chopp presented the gavel to the President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen.
APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The President of the Senate appointed Senators Johnson, Kastama, Kline and Sheahan and Representatives Cairnes, Lysen, McIntire and Nixon as a special committee to escort the Supreme Court Justices from the State Reception Room to the House Chamber.
The President of the Senate appointed Senators Carlson, Regala, McAuliffe and Roach and Representatives Chase, Morell, Orcutt and Upthegrove as a special committee to escort the State Elected Officials from the State Reception Room to the House Chamber.
The President of the Senate appointed Senators Fraser and Hewitt and Representatives Kagi and Pflug as a special committee to inform Governor Gary Locke that the Joint Session has been assembled and to escort him from his office to the House Chamber.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS
The President of the Senate welcomed and introduced the Supreme Court Justices: Chief Justice Gerry L. Alexander, Associate Chief Justice Charles Z. Smith, Justice Charles W. Johnson, Justice Barbara A. Madsen, Justice Richard B. Sanders, Justice Faith Ireland, Justice Bobbe Bridge, Justice Tom Chambers and Justice Susan Owens.
The President welcomed and introduced the State Elected Officials: Secretary of State Sam Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson, State Treasurer Mike Murphy, State Auditor Brian Sonntag, State Attorney General Christine Gregoire, Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.
INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS OF THE CONSULAR ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON
The President introduced the following honored guests from the Consular Association of Washington, who were seated in the back of the House Chamber: The Honorable H. Ronald Masnik, President of the Consular Association of Washington and Consul of Belguim; The Honorable Miguel Velasques, Vice President of the Consular Association of Washington and Consul of Peru; The Honorable Dave Baron, Secretary of the Consular Association of Washington and Vice Consul of the United Kingdom; The Honorable Roger Simmons, P.C., Consul General of Canada; The Honorable Jorge Gilbert, Consul of Chile; The Honorable Vassos Demetriou, Consul of Cyprus; The Honorable Yoshihara Araki, Deputy Consul General of Japan; The Honorable Moon Byung-rok, Consul General of the Republic of Korea; The Honorable Jorge Madrazo, Consul of Mexico; The Honorable Nikolai Vinogradov, Consul of the Russian Federation; and the Honorable Jack K.C. Chiang, Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle.
INTRODUCTION OF GOVERNOR AND MRS. GARY LOCKE
The President welcomed Governor and Mrs. Gary Locke and instructed the committee to escort them to the rostrum.
The flags were escorted to the rostrum by American Legion No. 138 Color Guard of Olympia.
The prayer was offered by Chaplain Wilby Casey from the Tacoma Fire Department.
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OWEN
President Owen: “The purpose of this joint session is to receive the State of the State Address from his Excellency, Governor Locke.”
The President of the Senate introduced The Honorable Governor Gary Locke.
STATE OF STATE ADDRESS
BY GOVERNOR GARY LOCKE
Governor Locke: “Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Honorable Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, distinguished Justices of the Supreme Court, statewide elected officials, members of the Washington State Legislature, my wife, the First Lady of the state of Washington, members of the Consular Association, my fellow Washingtonians.
“On a Tuesday morning last September, we awoke to what started as an ordinary day. We awoke to thoughts of the Mariners beating Anaheim, to the smell of brewing coffee, to the sounds of children scrambling down the stairs in those first days of a new school year, but our peace and tranquility were shattered as we turned on the television sets to images of anguish and horror. Sounds and pictures of destruction, terror and suffering seared into our memories.
“We will forever remember where we were and how we felt on September 11th--witnessing the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers live on television--even before the anchors could comprehend what was happening--the fear that cities across America were under attack--feelings of vulnerability, the loss of serenity in our daily lives.
“So, we gather now in an age tarnished by the evils of a few, and yet invigorated by the goodness and decency of so many. Within hours of the attacks, we witnessed the true spirit of the American people, surging up and washing over our despair. In our state, we saw neighbors come together and stand guard at area mosques against acts of ignorance and bigotry. We saw our children create artwork and raise money for the families of the victims. We saw firefighters throughout Washington travel to Ground Zero in New York City to help in the rescue and recovery efforts among the twisted steel.
“We saw members of our National Guard, who are specially trained to respond to any chemical, biological or nuclear threat, assist law enforcement here and in other states, and we saw state employees from our Department of Labor and Industries and the Emergency Management Division go to New York to aid in the recovery efforts. Please join me in recognizing all of these brave men and women from our state, some of whom are with us here this afternoon--firefighters from the Tri-Cities--members of our National Guard and employees in the Department of Labor and Industries. Please stand and receive our salute and our thanks. Thank you for your dedication. Let’s also pause and thank all of our dedicated state and local public servants who each day labor to provide for the safety and security of all of our residents.
“Twenty-four hours after the terrorist attacks, I was overwhelmed to see the sea of faces, 10,000 strong, at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, singing patriotic songs but condemning discrimination. Then, two days later, more than 30,000 people gathered at the Westlake Center in Seattle, joining in a West Coast-wide moment of silence in tribute to the victims of September 11. From the extraordinary outpouring of patriotism, prayer and generosity among children and adults, we understood that the anguish that flows from the terrorist attacks cements our character and unites our faith.
“As a nation, we were wounded last year, but in the words of Abraham Lincoln, ‘We bound up our nation's wounds with the strength and resolve of our people.’ In the face of adversity, we must draw together and labor in common cause for the greater good. Today, we face forces unseen, but we accept those challenges with determination and optimism. More than four decades ago, President Kennedy said, ‘In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger.’
“Eleven days ago, Green Beret Sergeant First Class Nathan Chapman, who lived with his wife and two young children in Puyallup, was the first combat fatality in Afghanistan. He served and died defending our freedom. Six days ago, Marine Sergeant Nathan Hays of Wilbur, Washington, was one of seven Marines killed in a U.S. military plane crash. Let's observe a moment of silence for them and their families and friends.
“Imagine the state we could create if each of us captures just a small portion of their courage and energy and dedicates it to the greater good. These are trying times. We find ourselves with a state economy and a state budget ravaged by war and a national economic recession. We'll pull through, just as we have in the past, but only by working together. I believe in a better future for our state. I believe that we're a resilient people. How well and how fast we respond depends on the foundations we lay in the months ahead.
“Just last year, in the year 2001, we weathered an earthquake, a drought, tragic wildfires, an energy crisis, and the uprooting of the Boeing corporate headquarters. At times, our experience resembled the biblical ‘Twelve Plagues of Egypt’--minus the locusts--but our citizens persevered with courage and optimism.
“Together, we averted an energy crisis by promoting conservation, by bringing more energy online and by planning strategically for our energy future.
“Together, we responded quickly and effectively to our state's drought by purchasing water for farmers, by conserving, and reforming our outdated water laws.
“Together, we continued to move people from welfare to work.
“Together, we invested in smaller class sizes and targeted assistance to low-performing schools.
“Together, we established the Competitiveness Council to identify ways to reinvigorate our business climate.
“We must build upon our past successes, to enhance our economic vitality, to preserve our way of life, and to put our people back to work. A study issued last week estimates that as many as 50,000 people in our state will lose their jobs as a direct result of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Our state has been one of the hardest hit by the national economic recession. Today, we have laid-off aerospace workers, struggling to pay their mortgages. Today, we have aluminum workers in Spokane and Goldendale worried about college tuition for their children. Today, we have recent college graduates unable to find work. Their stories transcend statistics.
“Just thousands of families across our state have had to adjust their personal budgets in these tough economic times, so too must we rewrite our state budget. I've proposed many state budgets as a legislator and governor, but believe me, this was the toughest. All of the programs that I have proposed for elimination or reduction provide valuable services to real people in every part of our state.
“My proposal narrows state government's role as a social services provider, but it protects the most vulnerable children and vulnerable adults, for we must ensure that the safety net remains strong and intact. The budget I'm proposing lays the foundation for our future. The half-a-billion dollars in proposed spending cuts will save more than that, more than a billion dollars in the next biennium.
“In addition to reducing costs and preserving core services, we continue to improve business practices within state government and achieve millions of dollars in savings through efficiencies. We can balance our budget without a general tax increase. Education, of course, remains our paramount duty. Great public schools are the cornerstones for our state's long-term success. That's why funding for basic education, class-size reduction and higher academic achievement simply cannot be compromised. The planned enrollment increases in higher education must be maintained. Indeed, we must retrain even more workers, so that when our economy improves--and it will--our workers will be ready for family-wage jobs.
“Now is a time for tough decisions. We have a $1.25 billion deficit that we must address. I know many legislators have differing ideas on the solution. I pledge to work together with all of you to develop a fair, balanced and humane budget for the people of our state. Rewriting the budget is part of our constitutional charge. We are required to have a balanced budget. In so many areas, like transportation, education, clean and plentiful water, and economic revitalization, we must ask ourselves, ‘If we don't act, who will?’ These problems won't fix themselves. We must rise to the challenge. We must accept the risks. We must act.
“Our transportation problems present us with just such a challenge. We all want Washington and our citizens to prosper. We will not prosper with a transportation system that is broken, that chokes progress, that diminishes our competitiveness. Our businesses understand that. Our farmers understand that. Our families and our friends understand that. Our state's Competitiveness Council determined that the single most important thing we can do to embrace our state's economy and quality of life is to enact a long-term transportation plan that fixes congestion. We must not allow our economic future to grind to a halt on our broken streets and highways. Whether we live in the country or the city, we must ensure the safety of our loved ones who now travel highways in desperate need of repair.
“We tackled transportation last year. We failed. We did not get there. We must tackle it again this session and this time we must act. We must provide statewide funding for transportation improvements in every part of our state and we must authorize regions to partner with the state to build projects faster and to meet unique transportation needs. We must act for the farmer in Eastern Washington, hauling his harvest to market. We must act for the commuter stewing in gridlock that robs her of time with family, time helping her children with homework, time enjoying life. We must act for the businesses that would grow in Washington State if it weren't for the traffic.
“There is no reason why we can't pass transportation reforms and efficiencies within the next few days and have it on my desk for signature. Improving transportation provides lasting economic development in rural and urban counties. It reduces congestion, enhances safety and enables businesses to grow. Highway construction alone will create more than 20,000 new private-sector jobs throughout our state in the first few years. We must act, because what's at stake is the future of our state.
“Of course, we have other objectives. In education: Yes, our test scores are rising, but we must work to erase the growing disparity in achievement among ethnic groups. Education begins at home and that's why we must encourage more parental involvement. Because reading is the foundation of academic success, I will launch a major literacy and parental involvement campaign this spring, mobilizing the help of businesses, volunteers and non-profits. In water, we must build on our successes from last year and ensure safe, clean and abundant water for our growing communities, for farmers and for fish.
“I'm taking administrative action and submitting legislation to implement recommendations of our state's Competitiveness Council. Together we will forge ahead with tax simplification and streamlining our permitting process, but without compromising our environmental standards. Lastly, I'm proud that our state is better prepared than most to respond to any terrorist attack, but we need stronger laws to prevent and prosecute terrorist acts, while at the same time ensuring our civil liberties. I urge you to pass the legislation that our great Attorney General and I have submitted to you. Let's pass legislation mandating harsher penalties for those who commit crimes motivated by bigotry and hate.
“Of course, we have other objectives, but I won't list them all today–for this is no ordinary session and this is no ordinary time. We live in an age of an invigorated initiative process, one that holds a mirror to citizens and elected officials alike. It's a cherished part of our state's governing process, but so, too, is the legislative process. We manifest a government of, by and for the people. Ladies and gentlemen, if we want to reinforce faith in government by our citizens, we must deliver.
“I was moved by the patriotism, prayer and the generosity of the thousands of citizens across our state who assembled to memorialize the victims of terror. I was so proud that our citizens expressed solidarity with their Muslim neighbors. They renewed my faith that we can create great possibilities for our children and our grandchildren. We approach the enormous challenges before us, not because they're easy--they're not–but because they're right for our state and they're right for future generations to come
“Early, on that sad morning last September, one of the first lawmakers to come into my office and offer his support was House Co-Speaker Clyde Ballard. Minutes later, Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder joined me to reassure Washingtonians over the radio and television that our state government was vigilant and ‘on the job.’ On that day we stood and came together not as Democrats and Republicans, but as Americans. The American people demand that. In matters of public service and the greater public good, partisanship falls away.
“Sergeant First Class Nathan Chapman volunteered for duty in Afghanistan. He volunteered and told his wife there was a 50/50 chance he would not come home. He served and died to protect our liberty and to ensure our freedom. We, too, volunteered. We volunteered for public office to serve the people of our state and to create a better way of life for our children and our grandchildren. Sergeant First Class Chapman and Sergeant Hays did their duty for love of our country. Now we must do our duty for the love of our state.
“Thank you, and God bless you. God bless America. God bless freedom-loving people all across the world.”
The President of the Senate asked the special committee to escort the Honorable Gary and Mrs. Locke from the House Chamber.
The President of the Senate asked the special committee to escort the Supreme Court Justices from the House Chamber.
The President of the Senate asked the special committee to escort the State Elected Officials from the House Chamber.
MOTION
On motion of Representative Kessler, the Joint Session was dissolved.
The President of the Senate returned the gavel to Speaker Chopp.
Speaker Chopp instructed the Sergeant at Arms of the House and the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate to escort the Senators from the House Chamber.
The Senate was called to order at 4:37 p.m. by President Owen.
MOTION
At 4:37 p.m., on motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, the Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2002.
BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate
TONY M. COOK, Secretary of the Senate