WHEREAS, The coastal community of Tokeland and the entire state of Washington, in July of 2006, lost an extraordinary treasure with the passing of Bob McCausland, an artist and commentator of great and deserved renown; and
     WHEREAS, Bob and Ruth McCausland had only recently said farewell to their beloved northwestern Pacific County neighborhoods, moving to Olympia to plant new roots near one of their two sons; and
     WHEREAS, Mr. McCausland's endearing and enduring Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper character, "Hairbreadth Husky," from 1960 to 1982 hued the victories and rued the defeats of the University of Washington football team; and
     WHEREAS, A true "Renaissance Couple," the McCauslands later graced coastal Washington with their artistic flair, historical insight, ornithological acumen, and dedicated community service; and
     WHEREAS, The McCauslands were honored by their fellow Tokelanders in 1999 with Citizens of the Year recognition, and they were feted by the Aberdeen Museum of History in 2004 with Historians of the Year distinction; and
     WHEREAS, The Westport Maritime Museum lecture hall is very appropriately named in their honor; and
     WHEREAS, Bob McCausland, who had been an artist at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer for more than 30 years, later painted, whittled, cut stained glass, and drew a weekly cartoon for The Daily World newspaper; and
     WHEREAS, His murals celebrate and ennoble communities up and down the coast, he carved plaques for ships along Westport's harbor, and he carved the figurehead of Lady Washington for the state's centennial ship; and
     WHEREAS, Ruth McCausland authored a comprehensive and respected regional history volume called Washington's Westport, and she has written a South Beach Bulletin newspaper column sharing her considerable knowledge of birds; and
     WHEREAS, Her diverse contributions to community life and lore have also included articles for the Pacific County Historical Society's quarterly journal; and
     WHEREAS, Bob McCausland and Ruth Bjornstad met in an art class in 1937, and they were married four years later; and
     WHEREAS, In 1971, the McCauslands bought property on land overlooking Willapa Bay and launched a seven-year home-building project for their retirement haven; and
     WHEREAS, They went on to become charter members of the Westport-South Beach Historical Society; and
     WHEREAS, According to a January 16, 2001, article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper, the McCauslands "show what being partners--and being part of a community--are all about";
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington honor the wonderful life of Bob McCausland, and celebrate the team of Bob and Ruth McCausland for their tireless and genuine commitment to making Washington a better place for all Washingtonians; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Ruth McCausland, to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper, to The Daily World newspaper, to the South Beach Bulletin newspaper, the Pacific County Historical Society, and to the Westport-South Beach Historical Society.