WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock has exhibited true excellence throughout his personal, professional, and public life; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock has exhibited the highest levels of excellence during his lengthy years of public service; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Northwestern University in 1970 and a master's degree in hospital administration from the University of Michigan in 1972; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock moved to Yakima in 1978, where he served as senior vice president and chief financial officer for what is now Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital until he retired in 2011; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock has held a number of board and leadership positions in various nonprofit organizations in Yakima, including Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health, the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Yakima Sunrise Rotary, and the Yakima Hearing and Speech Center; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock is the interim chief operations officer for Heritage University and serves as a consultant for the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock served as cochair of the citizens' committee for the Yakima School District's 2001 levy and has strongly supported local education programs; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock has served with distinction and honor since 2005 as a member of the Yakima School District Board of Directors – Position 3; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock's top priority as a school board member and leader has been to ensure that every child receive a good education that is meaningful throughout their life and career; and

WHEREAS, Under John Vornbrock's leadership, the Yakima School District provided new and engaging alternative education programs for students, including the Eisenhower High School's Advanced Placement Program, Davis High School's International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, an online education program, and other sports and fine arts programs; and

WHEREAS, John Vornbrock, the father of three grown children, has announced his intention to step down from his school board position in February 2018 so that he can spend more time with his newly retired wife, Paula;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington honor John Vornbrock for his years of dedicated service, his personal and professional integrity, and for making Yakima and the State of Washington a better place to live, work, and raise a family; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to John Vornbrock.