SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1996-8676

By Senators Franklin, Snyder, Sheldon, Wood, Spanel, Long, Fraser and Sutherland

     WHEREAS,  The Honorable Barbara Charline Jordan served for seven years in the United States Congress as a representative from the State of Texas; and

     WHEREAS, She was the first black state senator in the history of the State of Texas; and

     WHEREAS, She became, in 1972, the first southern black citizen elected to Congress since Reconstruction; and

     WHEREAS, She was an honored and outstanding member of the Democratic Party; and

     WHEREAS, As a junior member of the House Judiciary Committee, she became nationally known as a deliberate and forceful speaker and people's advocate; and

     WHEREAS, She was held in the highest esteem by the Democratic Party and addressed national conventions on three occasions; and

     WHEREAS, In both her private and professional life, Barbara Jordan set a standard of independence, eloquence, and integrity that we all would do well to strive to meet; and

     WHEREAS, Although her medical condition of multiple sclerosis confined her to a wheelchair she remained active as a professor at the University of Texas and in community affairs; and

     WHEREAS, She most recently served as chairperson of President Clinton's task force on national immigration policies; and

     WHEREAS, She became a model for African Americans and women who sought to make their voices heard in the political arena; and

     WHEREAS, At age 59, her life was cut far too short, she accomplished more than most others who live much longer; and

     WHEREAS, Many Americans will always remember her, appreciate her many contributions to her country as a public servant and stateswoman, and hold her memory in the highest esteem;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Senate of the State of Washington do pay their humblest respects to the memory of Barbara Charline Jordan on the occasion of her death, and urge all citizens of Washington to join them in mourning the passing of a great American leader; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted immediately to the family of Barbara Jordan, the University of Texas, the Congress of the United States, the Texas Democratic Party, and the Democratic National Committee.

I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1996-8676,

adopted by the Senate January 24, 1996.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate