HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4705, by Representatives Kessler, Lisk, Alexander, Anderson, Ballard, Ballasiotes, Barlean, Benson, Boldt, Buck, Bush, Cairnes, Campbell, Carlson, Carrell, B. Chandler, G. Chandler, Chopp, Clements, Cody, Constantine, Conway, Cooper, Cox, Crouse, DeBolt, Delvin, Dickerson, Doumit, Dunn, Dunshee, Edmonds, Edwards, Eickmeyer, Ericksen, Esser, Fisher, Fortunato, Gombosky, Grant, Haigh, Hankins, Hatfield, Huff, Hurst, Kagi, Kastama, Keiser, Kenney, Koster, Lambert, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, Mastin, McDonald, McIntire, McMorris, Mielke, Miloscia, Mitchell, Morris, Mulliken, Murray, O'Brien, Ogden, Parlette, Pennington, Pflug, Poulsen, Quall, Radcliff, Reardon, Regala, Rockefeller, Romero, Ruderman, Santos, D. Schmidt, Schindler, K. Schmidt, Schoesler, Schual‑Berke, Scott, Skinner, D. Sommers, H. Sommers, Stensen, Sullivan, Sump, Talcott, Thomas, Tokuda, Van Luven, Veloria, Wensman, Wolfe and Wood

      WHEREAS, It is the goal of most working people to retire at a relatively young age and enjoy family and friends, travel, garden, read, and otherwise take life easy without the need to report to work daily; and

      WHEREAS, Dean Foster, co-chief clerk of the House of Representatives, having committed his working life to serving the people of the state of Washington, retired from a long and distinguished career in state service in 1996, promising his loving wife Sharon that they would at last travel, and do things together; and

      WHEREAS, To honor the occasion of his retirement, hundreds of friends did gather for dinner and speeches and to share "Dean Foster stories," and reminisce about his work, from humble beginnings as bill room clerk in the state House of Representatives, to serving as chief clerk of the House, co-chief clerk of the House, staff director for the Senate, and chief of staff for governor Booth Gardner; and

      WHEREAS, With over five hundred witnesses to his retirement, his wife Sharon was prompted to think, "Wow, he really did it!"; and

      WHEREAS, In November 1998, the state House of Representatives, for only the second time in the state's history, was tied, 49-49, and needing a co-chief clerk C someone who could help legislators navigate the choppy waters of shared power; and

      WHEREAS, It was widely whispered that Dean Foster had served as co-chief clerk during the first tie, but was retired and serving as Sharon's secretary, which might mean he was available C or not; and

      WHEREAS, Dean, forsaking friends and family and freedom, agreed to return to the House to help, but only for a short while, during which time his gracious manner, wise counsel, help, and guidance have been invaluable to members of both parties; and

      WHEREAS, Dean Foster now once again forswears 80-hour work weeks and public service, returning home to reading, gardening, fishing, travel, and Sharon, who once again is relieved that he really did it;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members and staff of the House of Representatives publicly thank Dean Foster for his service as co-chief clerk during the 1999 Legislative Session, for his long and distinguished career as a public servant, and for the sacrifice of leaving retirement to come and serve as our mentor, friend, and colleague, and thank his wife, Sharon, for sharing him with us.

                 Adopted by the House of Representatives

                               May 19, 1999

________________________________             _____________________________

Clyde Ballard, Co-Speaker                           Frank Chopp Co-Speaker