WHEREAS, Washington State Representative William "Ike" Eickmeyer is serving his fifth full term of unselfish, distinguished service to the citizens of Mason, Grays Harbor, Kitsap, and Thurston counties; and
     WHEREAS, Bill Eickmeyer has announced that he will not seek reelection to the Washington State Legislature this fall; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Eickmeyer, born in Spokane, but for many decades a resident of the Hood Canal community of Belfair, will now no doubt dedicate a far larger percentage of his time to fishing and hunting; and
     WHEREAS, The capable legislative hand of Bill Eickmeyer has gone such a long way toward crafting and perfecting so many sterling responses to challenging public policy questions; and
     WHEREAS, During a legislative career that will forever be modeled by men and women in our own and other state governments, "Mr. Hood Canal" has invested a tremendous commitment of time, attention, and sheer brain power toward protecting and preserving America's great fjord; and
     WHEREAS, Just a few years back, Representative Eickmeyer's House Select Committee on Hood Canal wrapped up a biennium's worth of work investigating the grand but threatened inlet from top to bottom; and
     WHEREAS, Our true friend and colleague, Ike Eickmeyer has also devoted himself to legislative research and development in matters involving issues as diverse as rural economics, small business development, juvenile justice, and family law; and
     WHEREAS, Representative Eickmeyer, an Army veteran and a graduate of Western Washington University, for many decades served as the Executive Director of the Sound Institute of Family and Children Services; and
     WHEREAS, The true and strong civic-mindedness of this good gentleman from the 35th Legislative District over the years has included his indefatigable commitment to such wide-ranging organizations as the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, the Board of Directors of the Washington Association of Child Caring Agencies, the Board of Directors of the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Directors of the North Mason School District; and
     WHEREAS, He has also tirelessly served as the Chair of the Kitsap County Law and Justice Advisory Committee and the Chair of the Kitsap County Juvenile Justice Advisory Board; and
     WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature will not be the same without him;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington celebrate and commemorate the distinguished legislative career of Washington State Representative Bill Eickmeyer; 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 Bill Eickmeyer.