WHEREAS, Washington State Representative Patricia Lantz has served
the people of the 26th District and Washington with honor and
distinction for six terms; and
WHEREAS, Representative Lantz has announced that she will not seek
reelection to the Washington State Legislature this year; and
WHEREAS, Each and all of Representative Lantz's 12 years of
outstanding service to the people of Washington were shining examples
of her core principles of honor, integrity, compassion, and justice;
and
WHEREAS, Representative Lantz is the longest-serving House
Judiciary chair in Washington State history; and
WHEREAS, Representative Lantz's heartfelt devotion to ensuring
equal justice for all has vastly improved fair legal representation for
the poor and needy of all faiths, religions, ethnic backgrounds, and
ages in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, Representative Lantz's compassion for people and passion
for justice has earned her Legislator of the Year awards from the
Washington State Bar Association, Washington State Trial Lawyers
Association, and the Washington State District and Municipal Court
Judges' Association; and
WHEREAS, Representative Lantz's career-long commitment to fair
treatment for all in taxes and tolls will help save the people of the
26th District and Washington hundreds of millions of dollars in tolls
on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge; and
WHEREAS, Generations of Washingtonians will benefit from
Representative Lantz's advocacy for high-quality education from
preschool to graduate school; and
WHEREAS, Representative Lantz was a driving force behind historic
state laws that are working today to deter domestic violence and heal
domestic violence victims; and
WHEREAS, Numerous leading organizations, including the Arts
Alliance, Washington Credit Union League, Washington State Association
of County Clerks, and the Association for Library Trustees and
Advocates, have bestowed well-deserved honors on Representative Lantz
for her integrity, vision, and public service; and
WHEREAS, Representative Lantz is retiring to turn her full
attention to John Lantz, her husband of 48 years, and to her three
children, and five wonderful grandchildren, whose gain is our loss; and
WHEREAS, Representative Lantz will now be able to spend more time
enjoying the extraordinary beauty and recreational opportunities of
Washington's natural environment, which she has done so much to defend
and protect; and
WHEREAS, The Representatives, Senators, and staff of the Washington
State Legislature will sorely miss Representative Lantz and her
leadership;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives
of the State of Washington celebrate and long remember the character,
accomplishments, and distinguished career of Representative Patricia
Lantz, and wish her and her loved ones all the best in the years ahead;
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 Patricia Lantz and
her family.