WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature recognizes the thirty-five years of strong and devoted service provided by former House and Senate member Paul Conner; and
     WHEREAS, Mr. Conner, born in 1925, was a lifelong resident of the 24th District, residing in the Port Angeles and Sequim area; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner was an orphan in his youth who was gratefully taken in by many families in the Port Angeles area; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner has attributed the efforts of these families to his personal commitment to public service; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner was first elected to the Senate in 1957 where he served the 24th District until 1959; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner was then elected to the House of Representatives in 1958 to serve the 24th District from 1959 until 1977 as House Majority Whip, House Caucus Chairman, and Chairman of the House of Transportation Committee; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner fell only one vote shy of being elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in the early 1970s; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner was elected in 1977 to the Senate continuing his service to the 24th District until 1993; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner was very passionate and very committed to transportation and natural resource issues in his district; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner was amazingly successful in the battle to remove tolls on the Hood Canal Bridge, instrumental in the authorization of the year-round state ferry service between Port Townsend and Keystone, and in drafting a 29 million dollar salmon enhancement program; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner was also legendary for his constituent work, sending out letters to constituents on their birthdays and combing through the newly distributed district phone books to call people he had not yet met; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner was also famous for the postsession letters he would send to staff and lobbyists thanking them for their good works on his behalf, as well as on behalf of the state and its citizens; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner worked in Port Angeles outside of his legislative position for Clallam County Public Utility District, and later as a longshoreman in the International Longshoremen's Union Local 27; and
     WHEREAS, In 2001 Mr. Conner was inducted into the Washington State Eagles Hall of Fame after many years of serving as a member and officer of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and
     WHEREAS, Paul Conner was a skilled statesman and inspirational leader; and
     WHEREAS, In his passing on January 27, 2008, we all mourn the loss of Paul Conner and will miss his contributions to the entire state of Washington;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate, on behalf of the residents of the state of Washington, honor the service and devotion of all thirty-five years that Paul Conner contributed and extend its deepest condolences to his wife Thelma, his family, friends, and community; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to his wife Thelma, and the family and friends of Paul Conner.