HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4701

HR 4701

ByRepresentatives Jinkins, Stokesbary, Abbarno, Alvarado, Barkis, Barnard, Bateman, Berg, Bergquist, Berry, Bronoske, Caldier, Callan, Chambers, Chandler, Chapman, Cheney, Chopp, Christian, Connors, Corry, Cortes, Couture, Davis, Dent, Doglio, Donaghy, Duerr, Dye, Entenman, Eslick, Farivar, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Fosse, Goehner, Goodman, Graham, Gregerson, Griffey, Hackney, Harris, Hutchins, Jacobsen, Klicker, Kloba, Kretz, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Low, Macri, Maycumber, McClintock, McEntire, Mena, Morgan, Mosbrucker, Nance, Orcutt, Ormsby, Ortiz-Self, Orwall, Paul, Peterson, Pollet, Ramel, Ramos, Reed, Reeves, Riccelli, Robertson, Rude, Rule, Ryu, Sandlin, Santos, Schmick, Schmidt, Senn, Shavers, Simmons, Slatter, Springer, Stearns, Steele, Stonier, Street, Taylor, Thai, Tharinger, Timmons, Volz, Walen, Walsh, Waters, Wylie, and Ybarra

WHEREAS, James Truman (JT) Wilcox III was born in Tacoma and raised on his family's farm in rural Pierce County; and

WHEREAS, He grew up around hard-working people, family members, and many others who cared for animals, tilled the soil, and raised families; and

WHEREAS, Wilcox learned from his father, Jim Wilcox, and Billy Frank Jr., that their values were intertwined in the health of the Nisqually River, the richness of the soil, the abundance of the salmon, and the interconnection of protecting a culture that ran through the bloodlines of First Washingtonians and those who call this great state home today; and

WHEREAS, He graduated from Yelm High School; and

WHEREAS, Wilcox graduated from Washington State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history; and

WHEREAS, He is married to Kathy and they have three children - James (Azra), Donnie (Aileen), and Katie (Zane) - and a granddaughter, Emma; and

WHEREAS, Wilcox was employed for 23 years at his fifth-generation family business, Wilcox Farms, in farming, food processing, and finance; and

WHEREAS, He is a dairy farmer at heart; and

WHEREAS, Wilcox has been active in his community, including the Yelm Methodist Church, Roy Volunteer Fire Department, Pacific Education Institute, Yelm Lions Club, Graham Business Association, and the Nisqually River Basin Land Trust; and

WHEREAS, He was elected to the Washington state House of Representatives in 2010 to represent the 2nd Legislative District; and

WHEREAS, Wilcox was elected House Republican Leader in March 2018, a position he held until he stepped back in April 2023; and

WHEREAS, He has fought for responsible state budgets, accountable state government, salmon restoration, and the sustainable development of natural resources for the use of the people of Washington state; and

WHEREAS, Wilcox has advocated for the people, employers, projects, and communities of the 2nd Legislative District; and

WHEREAS, He has a tremendous record of integrity, honesty, and a sense of fairness in his commitment to the public interest—and the ability to work across the aisle on common policy agendas; and

WHEREAS, Wilcox always tried to do the right thing as Leader and prioritized his caucus, even when it was the hardest thing to do and came with a high personal cost; and

WHEREAS, He shared with many colleagues the importance of friendship—pulling up a chair for simple conversations that brought so many values together; and

WHEREAS, As Wilcox concludes his tenure in the Washington state House of Representatives, we extend our sincere appreciation for his dedicated service and steadfast commitment to his legislative responsibilities—his contributions have been invaluable, and his presence will be missed in the Washington state legislature;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize Wilcox's record of public service, both in and out of this chamber, on behalf of his district, his colleagues, and the people of the state of Washington.