WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and
     WHEREAS, Washington State Representative Jeanne Edwards, first elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1998, is serving her third term of unselfish, distinguished service to the citizens of the first legislative district; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Edwards has announced that she will not seek reelection to the Washington State Legislature; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Edwards' life and career as a Washingtonian began when she moved to Seattle from Colorado in 1950; and
     WHEREAS, She and her late husband, Bill, built a home in Bothell in 1960, where they raised three sons and a daughter; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Edwards is now the proud grandmother of five grandchildren between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine; and
     WHEREAS, Most recently, Representative Edwards has served the people of the state of Washington as an integral part of the House committees on health care, transportation, and local government; and
     WHEREAS, During her legislative career, Representative Edwards has distinguished herself by demonstrating leadership in the areas of affordable health care, higher education, and local government; and
     WHEREAS, The tireless work and advocacy of Representative Edwards helped to establish the Washington State Children's Health Insurance Program so that children living in poverty could have access to health care; and
     WHEREAS, Thousands of students have been able to access higher education through Representative Edwards' contributions in helping to secure funds to build the University of Washington Bothell campus and Cascadia Community College; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Edwards has served her community as a member of the Bothell City Council, Board Chair of Community Transit of Snohomish County, Board Chair of the Washington State Transit Association, a member of the Snohomish County Board of Health, legislative chair of the King County Human Services Roundtable, and a member of the King County Regional Transit Committee; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Edwards' career has included serving as a reporter and then reporter/editor for the Everett Herald for thirteen years; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Edwards has also served as the executive director of Community Health Centers of Snohomish County; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Edwards played an instrumental role in opening the first Health Center in Sultan; and
     WHEREAS, Among numerous accomplishments, Representative Edwards is most proud of raising her four children to be contributing adults to society; and
     WHEREAS, Our friend and colleague will remain in our thoughts and hearts;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington honor her excellence in service and the untold legislative and personal accomplishments and contributions by State Representative Jeanne Edwards to her office, her constituents, and colleagues, and especially to the citizens of the great state of Washington; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Washington State Representative Jeanne Edwards and the members of her family.