WHEREAS, In 1962, Joe Duffie enlisted in the United States Army in Seattle, Washington; he later completed advanced infantry training in Fort Ord, California, where he was commended as most distinguished trainee of his Company; and then went on to the Airborne Course at Fort Bennett, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Joe went overseas to serve in Korea, where he departed with the rank of Squad Leader; and

WHEREAS, Following discharge, Joe enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard where he served for 31 years; and

WHEREAS, Joe first moved to Tukwila in 1967 and has lived in his current home since 1969; and

WHEREAS, In the Fall of 1981, Joe was elected to the Tukwila City Council and has been reelected with strong public support to 9 terms in office; and

WHEREAS, Joe got involved in public service to improve the quality of life in Tukwila neighborhoods and to improve transparency and accountability in government; and

WHEREAS, Joe continued his commitment to transparency by initiating the "Council Chat" program, which allows residents an opportunity to speak informally with individual Councilmembers; and

WHEREAS, Joe led the City of Tukwila toward being a community focused on diversity and inclusion with a school district that has been touted as the single most diverse in the country; and

WHEREAS, There has never been a stronger advocate for Tukwila's youth than Joe, and his work in the district has led to every student for generations knowing him by name; and

WHEREAS, Joe continues to lead a weekly running program for kids at Tukwila Elementary and Campbell Hill Elementary schools; and

WHEREAS, Joe has a passion for hunting, fishing, and restoring classic cars; and

WHEREAS, Joe and his wife, Jacquelyn, raised their three children: Jacquelyn, Renae, and Kerwin in Tukwila; and

WHEREAS, Upon Joe's retirement the Tukwila City Council will lose a strong voice for progress that has served the citizens of Tukwila for over 35 years;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize Joe Duffie for his many years of dedicated public service to the City of Tukwila, the State of Washington, and the United States of America.