HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2018-4671, by Representatives Pollet, McCabe, Wylie, Fey, Dolan, Johnson, Kilduff, Ryu, and Dent

WHEREAS, The tireless efforts, vision, and eloquent advocacy of Russell Jim "Kii'ahł" inspired generations of new leaders of the Yakama Nation and Washington State, while creating a healthier legacy for generations to come from the removal of millions of tons of contamination along the Columbia River; and

WHEREAS, Russell Jim served on the Yakama Tribal Council and led Washington State in understanding and rejecting the federal government's nomination of Gable Mountain, a sacred site along the Columbia River, as the nation's disposal site for High Level Nuclear Waste; and

WHEREAS, Russell Jim's leadership for Washington and the nation included leadership on Washington State's Nuclear Waste Advisory Council and the federal State-Tribal Working Group; and

WHEREAS, Russell Jim created the Yakama Nation's Environmental Restoration and Waste Management program, and served as its director for thirty-seven years, to protect fish, plants, and other resources in and around the Columbia River, and to advocate for cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation; and

WHEREAS, Russell Jim's decades of environmental advocacy and eloquence speaking for tribal sovereignty has created a legacy that will span generations, inspired new generations to be active in their communities, and should always be remembered; and

WHEREAS, Russell Jim has received an honorary doctorate degree from Heritage University for his dedication to the betterment of the health, culture, and natural environment of the Yakama Nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor Russell Jim "Kii'ahł" who has provided immeasurable contributions to the causes of environmentalism and the preservation of Yakama traditions.

 

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

Resolution 4671 adopted by the House of Representatives

February 14, 2018

 

 

 

 

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Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk