WHEREAS, There are over 200 local Chambers of Commerce in the state of Washington representing approximately 65,000 small businesses and employing over 3,000,000 citizens; and

      WHEREAS, Washington State Chambers of Commerce raise over 40,000,000 dollars annually for local community enrichment projects, involving more than 20,000 volunteers who generously give their time and talent; and

      WHEREAS, Washington State Chambers of Commerce managed in excess of 4,000,000 visitor and relocation inquiries last year, and at the same time served over 25,000 businesses that sought information about expanding their companies in our state; and

      WHEREAS, Chambers of Commerce across Washington state have served their local communities with distinction, dedication, and dignity, enhancing the state's economy and improving the quality of life for its citizens;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate officially recognize the invaluable work local Chambers of Commerce provide to both the economy and citizens of this state; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

      Senator Hewitt spoke in favor of adoption of the resolution.

      The President declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8621.

      The motion by Senator Hewitt carried and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS

      The President welcomed and introduced members of the American Diabetes Association who were seated in the gallery.

MOTION

      On motion of Senator Eide, the Senate reverted to the sixth order of business.

SECOND READING

CONFIRMATION OF GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTS

MOTION

      Senator Fraser moved that Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9027, Chris Hedrick, as a member of the Board of Trustees, The Evergreen State College, be confirmed.

      Senator Fraser spoke in favor of the motion.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Regala, Senators Berkey, Fairley, Haugen, Poulsen and Prentice were excused.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Brandland, Senators Benton, Clements, Holmquist, Morton, Parlette and Roach were excused.

APPOINTMENT OF CHRIS HEDRICK

The President declared the question before the Senate to be the confirmation of Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9027, Chris Hedrick as a member of the Board of Trustees, The Evergreen State College.

      The Secretary called the roll on the confirmation of Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9027, Chris Hedrick as a member of the Board of Trustees, The Evergreen State College and the appointment was confirmed by the following vote: Yeas, 31; Nays, 0; Absent, 7; Excused, 11.

      Voting yea: Senators Brandland, Brown, Carrell, Delvin, Eide, Franklin, Fraser, Hargrove, Hatfield, Hewitt, Honeyford, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, Marr, McAuliffe, McCaslin, Murray, Oemig, Pflug, Pridemore, Rasmussen, Regala, Rockefeller, Schoesler, Sheldon, Shin, Spanel, Stevens, Swecker and Tom - 31

      Absent: Senators Hobbs, Jacobsen, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Weinstein and Zarelli - 7

      Excused: Senators Benton, Berkey, Clements, Fairley, Haugen, Holmquist, Morton, Parlette, Poulsen, Prentice and Roach - 11

Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9027, Chris Hedrick, having received the constitutional majority was declared confirmed as a member of the Board of Trustees, The Evergreen State College.

MOTION

At 10:23 a.m., on motion of Senator Eide, the Senate was declared to be at ease for the purpose of Joint Session.

JOINT SESSION

      The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) called the House to order.

      Mark Frydrychowski, Session Legislative Assistant to Senator Swecker gifted the Chamber with a selection of classic guitar music.

      The Sergeant at Arms announced that the Senate had arrived. The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) requested that the Sergeant at Arms of the House and the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate escort President Pro Tempore Rosa Franklin, Majority Caucus Chair Harriet Spanel, Vice President Pro Tempore Paull Shin and Republican Floor Leader Mark Schoesler to seats on the Rostrum. The Senators were invited to seats within the Chamber.

      The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) called upon President Pro Tempore Franklin to preside over the Joint Session.

      President Pro Tempore Franklin called the Joint Session to order. The Clerk called the roll of the House and Senate and a quorum was present.

      President Pro Tempore Franklin introduced the statewide elected officials: Secretary of State Sam Reed and State Treasurer Mike Murphy.

      The Clerk called the roll of the former members who were in attendance: Rick Bender, Bill Brumsickle, Don Carlson, Barbara Cothern, Richard King, Bill Kiskaddon, R.H. "Bob" Lewis, former Secretary of State Ralph Munro, Gary Nelson, Cathy Pearsall-Stipeck, Paul Sanders, Rollie Schmitten, Gary Strannigan, Art Wang, William E. "Bill" Young and Hal Zimmerman.

      The Flags were escorted to the Rostrum by the Olympia Marine Corps League Color Guard. President Pro Tempore Franklin led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance.

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

      President Pro Tempore Franklin announced the purpose of the joint session was to conduct memorial services in memory of departed former members of the Legislature. On behalf of the Senate and the House of Representatives, President Pro Tempore Franklin extend a welcome to all the family members who were present. President Pro Tempore Franklin turned the gavel over to Speaker Pro Tempore Lovick to conduct the service.

      Father Benedict Auer, St. Martin's University gave the Invocation: "The other morning, Mount Rainier had a shadow against the clouds in the sky, which is unique and happens only on certain rare mornings. The ability to see this shadow is even rarer because the shadow is often covered by gray cloudiness, and you miss it. But this year, it was visible in a pink and salmon colored sky. Today we invoke the Creator of the beauty of this state and our country as we memorialize those individuals who have served our State so well.

      Creator of all that is seen and unseen, we come together to remember, for as Joseph Campbell wrote, "To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." We know we carry with us all those who shaped our lives either directly or indirectly. We are all on a quest or search for truth, while some of us recognize this better than others. This morning, we honor those who saw this pilgrimage clearer than any of us, and committed themselves to changing and caring for our state in all its needs.

      Our State stands as a monument to those who have represented us and dedicated themselves to our service. Together as community we uplift and care for each other. In some people this service is greater than others. The British poet, Christina Rossetti, reminded us in the nineteenth century:

"Remember me when I am gone away.

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold my hand.

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay."

This day we remember. We recall. We see with our ears and hear with our hearts. We see through a glass darkly, but we recognize their departure and mourn their leaving, but as the author of The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery wrote, "Higher Education & Workforce Education or she who has gone, so we cherish their memory. They abide in us, more potent, nay, more present than the living person."

      It is with deep gratitude that we remember and honor departed members of this Legislature who have made their transition, passing from this earthly life. We grieve, but as Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth: "Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the fraught hearts and bids it break." At this time, we give sorrow words. We are thankful for each of these persons, their dedication speaks to everyone. Their example of leadership and commitment spurs us on to imitate their examples.

      A native American explanation captures our purpose today:

"You shall ask

What good are dead leaves

And I will tell you

They nourish the sore earth.

You shall ask

What reason is there for winter

And I will tell you

To bring about new leaves.

You shall ask

Why are the leaves so green

And I will tell you

Because they are rich with life.

You shall ask

Why must summer end

And I will tell you

So that the leaves will die."

      The cycle of life is a gift from you, O Great Creator of all things. Hebrew Scriptures tells us:

"For everything there is a season

A time to be born and a time to die;

A time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to break down and a time to build up;

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn and a time to dance;

For everything there is a season,

And a time for every matter under heaven."

      Today we remember and thank the Creator of all those sent to us who served and cared for us. We offer gratitude for the uniqueness of all who you created, O Divine Creator, and knowing our lives will never be the same because of these people. As the Medieval Mystic, Meister Eckhart wrote: "The greatest prayer you can say is thank you."

      Thank you and Amen."

      The Olympia High School Concert Choir under the direction of Dan Schwartz sang "Song of Triumph."

      Mr. Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding): "We are assembled today to pay tribute to the lives and services of the distinguished former members of the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives who have passed from among us. The people of our State are grateful for their service. The Sixtieth Legislature of the State of Washington conveys its respects to those deceased legislators.

      They once sat in the hallowed chambers of the House and Senate; answered roll calls on sometimes critical perplexing bills, attended committee meetings, above all else, served to the best of their abilities to make our State a better and more enjoyable place to live. While their journey in this life is completed, their achievements, records and valued services have been recorded in the journals of the Senate and House, and are now and forevermore a permanent part of the history of the State of Washington.

      We express our sympathies to the bereaved families and their friends and also share with them on this memorable occasion the fond and happy memories of these legislators, who served well beyond their call of duty and responsibilities and truly loved this great State. They have indeed left a legacy of dedicated service that will remain forever etched in our hearts, our memories and our Legislative records."

      Speaker Pro Tempore Lovick and President Pro Tempore Franklin called the roll of the deceased former members of the Senate and House of Representatives assisted by Candlelight pages, Brittany Warner and Aiden Borer.

Member                                                  District and Years served

Russell Austin Jr.                                                       33rd District

House 1980-81

Memorialized by Representative Shay Schual-Berke

Robert C. Bailey                                                          19^th District

House 1951-57, Senate 1957-77

Memorialized by Senator Brian Hatfield

H. Stan Bradley                                                           31^st District

House 1971-73

Memorialized by Representative Larry Seaquist

George W. Clarke                                                        41^st District

House 1967-71, Senate 1971-85

Memorialized by Representative Fred Jarrett

Hubert F. Donohue                                                9^th, 11^th District

Senate 1973-81

Memorialized by Representative Phyllis Kenney

Martin J. Durkan                                                  31^st, 47^th District

House 1957-58, Senate 1959-1975

Memorialized by Representative Pat Sullivan

Ruth Fisher                                                                 27th District

House 1983-2002

Memorialized by Representative Jeannie Darneille

Herb Hadley                                                               18th District

House 1963-1965

Memorialized by Representative Ed Orcutt

Dick Hemstad                                                            22nd District

Senate 1981-1985

Memorialized by Representative Gary Alexander

Geraldine McCormick                                                   5^th District

House 1969-82

Memorialized by Senator Chris Marr

Art Moreau                                                                  42^nd District

House 1975-79

Memorialized by Senator Dale Brandland

Curtis Smith                                                                13^th District

House 1979-90

Memorialized by Representative Maralyn Chase

Thomas Allen Swayze Jr.                                            26^th District

House 1965-73

Memorialized by Senator Derek Kilmer

Jim West                                                                        6^th District

House 1983-87, Senate 1987-2003

Memorialized by Senator Mike Hewitt

Walter Williams                                                          43^rd District

House 1961-62, Senate 1963-70

Memorialized by Senator Tracey Eide

      Rabbi Dan Bridge, Rabbi Emeritus, Hillel, Foundation for Jewish Life, University of Washington gave the Memorial Prayer: "In speaking of people of greatness, Sir Isaac Newton quoted Bernard of Chartes claiming that we stand on the shoulders of giants. Today we call out the names of Washington State legislators and we light these candles to reminder ourselves that we are here only because we are able to stand on their shoulders. Today we are in this hall of great promise to remember first, the emptiness, the sadness left in the spaces they occupied in our lives, and in the life of this great State. And secondly we stand here to remember their legacies. Rabbi Bernard Raskas describes the impact of a person's life. "What is this immortality in which I believe. I believe that a person lives in his or her family. I believe in the immortality of friends and helpfulness. And I believe that there is a form of immortality in the institutions we build and the causes we espouse."

      And thirdly, we light these candles so that we can be inspired – we the people who stand on the shoulders of these legislators – those who came before us. They have certainty lifted us up. I pray we will remember to be inspired by their lives. And that we will be moved – moved enough to act as their hands in a world to which they no longer belong – a world that needs so much fixing.

      A prayer the Jewish Reform Movement reads "May the nobility in lives and the high ideals they cherish endure in our thoughts and live on in our deeds." Zichronam livracha - May we make the memories a blessing

      The Olympia High School Chamber Choir, directed by Dan Schwartz sang "Set me as a Seal".

      The Olympia Marine Corps League Detachment Color Guard presented of Flag. Sergeant Michelle Wheeler, 133rd Army National Guard Band played "Taps".

      Pastor Phil Rue, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Olympia gave the closing prayer: "Oh mighty and most gracious God, it is in Your heart to love and to seek the wholeness of all of the creation. We give You thanks for those whom You have worked in and through, and who have reflected that grace and whom we honor this day.

      We are grateful for their contributions. We are grateful for their legacy. As You have called us to love justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly before You, we thank You for that reflection, and what they have given to us. We ask and we pray that Your spirit would be infused within us. Look over us that we might know Your justice, that we might act with compassion and care, that we might know the wisdom of walking humbly before You and each other. Continue to place within the leaders of this great State the conviction of those things that are dear and precious, and the wisdom to know our fallibilities. And the ability to work together.

      Let your blessing be upon those who have loved those we honor this day. Let your blessing be here in this place where decisions are made, where there is service and concern for the people who are represented. Help us always to remember the calling that is ours as we continue to serve in this place. Grant us your grace to love, to serve, to care.

      We pray this in your great name. Amen."

      "Amazing Grace" was played on the bagpipes by Lieutenant Keith Huntley of the Washington State Patrol.

      Speaker Pro Tempore Lovick returned the gavel to President Pro Tempore Franklin who thanked the members of the Memorial Committee and everyone who participated in the day's ceremony.

      President Pro Tempore Franklin turned the gavel over to Speaker Pro Tempore Lovick who asked the Sergeant at Arms of the House and Senate to escort President Pro Tempore Franklin, Majority Caucus Chair Harriet Spanel, Vice President Pro Tempore Paull Shin and Minority Floor Leader Mark Schoesler from the Rostrum and the senators from the Chamber.

      On motion of Representative Kessler, the Joint Session was dissolved.

      The Senate was called to order at 11:23 a.m. by President Pro Tempore.

MOTION

      At 11:23 a.m., on motion of Senator Eide, the Senate adjourned until 12:00 noon, Thursday, February 8, 2007.

BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate

THOMAS HOEMANN, Secretary of the Senate