HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2023-4624

HR 4624

ByRepresentatives Senn and Berry

WHEREAS, Deborah Senn, born on March 8, 1949, was a tireless consumer advocate who was elected in 1992 becoming the first woman elected to serve as the state's insurance commissioner; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Senn was a national leader on a broad range of issues, including implementing the nation's first regulations for environmental clean-up claims, protecting victims of domestic violence from insurance discrimination, guaranteeing women have access to obstetrician gynecologists, lowering the waiting period on preexisting conditions, and implementing equal recognition of all licensed health care providers; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Senn was the first insurance commissioner in the United States to call for regulatory action on behalf of Holocaust victims denied insurance benefits, leading to the creation of the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims in 1998, and resulting in tens of thousands of elderly claimants around the world receiving long delayed compensation; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Senn, through the United States Department of Treasury, consulted with finance ministries and central banks in developing and transitioning countries to strengthen their ability to regulate the insurance sector and effectively safeguard consumers; and

WHEREAS, Deborah Senn represented a container ship captain who won a major gender discrimination case after being denied a license to become the first female vessel pilot in Puget Sound; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Senn loved supporting and mentoring women in public service; and

WHEREAS, Judaism played an important role in developing Senn's commitment to Tikkun Olam, the Jewish concept of "repair of the world"; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Senn loved watching baseball, showing vizslas at dog shows, singing and writing plays, playing tennis, and spending time in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Senn was married for 38 years to Rudi Bertschi who called her "his magic"; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Senn died on February 18, 2022, from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the contributions and positive generational impacts of Deborah Senn's service on this day.