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SECOND DAY

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NOON SESSION

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House Chamber, Olympia, Tuesday, January 9, 2001

The House was called to order at 12:00 p.m by Speaker Chopp. The Clerk called the roll and a quorum was present.

Reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was ordered to stand approved.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

January 8, 2001

Mr. Speakers:

The President has signed:

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8400,

and the same is herewith transmitted.

Brad Hendrickson, Deputy Secretary

January 8, 2001

Mr. Speakers:

The Senate has adopted:

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4400,

and the same is herewith transmitted.

Brad Hendrickson, Deputy Secretary

SIGNED BY THE SPEAKERS

The Speakers signed:

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4400,

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8400,

The Senate appeared at the Chamber doors and requested admission. The Sergeant at Arms of the House and the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate escorted President of the Senate Brad Owen, President Pro Tempore Rosa Franklin, Majority Leader Sid Snyder, Minority Leader Jim West, and Senators Pat Hale and Karen Fraser to seats on the Rostrum. The Senators were invited to sit within the Chamber.

JOINT SESSION

Speaker Chopp called the Joint Session to order. The Clerk called the roll of House members and a quorum was present. The Clerk called the roll of Senate members and a quorum was present.

The purpose of the Joint Session was to recognize retiring State officials for their long and effective service to the State of Washington. The Joint Session also complied with the constitutional requirement of canvassing the vote for and against referenda and initiatives, and for the constitutional elective officers.

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE

The Honorable Speakers

House of Representatives

State of Washington

Olympia Washington

I, Ralph Munro, Secretary of State of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that according to the provisions of RCW 29.62.130, I have canvassed the returns of the 2,517,028 votes cast by the 3,335,714 registered voters of the state for and against the initiatives and resolution which were submitted to the vote of the people at the state general election held on the 7^th day of November, 2000, as received from the County Auditors.

State of Washington , Initiative No. 713

"Shall it be a gross misdemeanor to capture an animal with certain body-gripping traps, or to poison an animal with sodium fluoroacetate or sodium cyanide?"

State of Washington , Initiative No. 722

"Shall certain 1999 tax and fee increases be nullified, vehicles exempted from property taxes, and property tax increases(except new construction) limited to 2% annually?"

State of Washington , Initiative No. 728

"Shall school districts reduce class sizes, extend learning programs, expand teacher training, and construct facilities, funded by lottery proceeds, existing property taxes, and budget reserves?"

State of Washington , Initiative No. 729

"Shall school districts and public universities be authorized to sponsor charter public schools, independently operated, open to all students, and subject to revised state regulation?"

State of Washington , Initiative No. 732

"Shall public school teachers, other school district employees, and certain employees of community and technical colleges receive annual cost-of-living salary adjustments, to begin in 2001-2002?"

State of Washington , Initiative No. 745

"Shall 90% of transportation funds, including transit taxes, be spent for roads; transportation agency performance audits required; and road construction and maintenance be sales tax-exempt?"

State of Washington , Senate Joint Resolution No. 8214

"Shall the state constitution be amended to permit state funds held in trust for persons with developmental disabilities to be invested as authorized by law?"

I further certify that, according to the provisions of RCW 43.07.030, I have canvassed the returns of the votes cast at the state general election held on the 7^th day of November, 2000, for all federal, legislative and joint judicial offices, and that the votes cast for candidates for these offices are as follows:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and affixed the official seal of the state of Washington, this 7^th day of December 2000.

RALPH MUNRO

Secretary of State

In view of the election results, certified to by the Secretary of State, and to which there have been no protests, the Joint Session declared the following qualified citizens to be elected the constitutional elected officials for the State of Washington:***

Gary LockeGovernor

Brad OwenLieutenant Governor

Sam ReedSecretary of State

Mike MurphyState Treasurer

Brian SonntagState Auditor

Christine GregoireAttorney General

Terry BergesonSuperintendent of Public Instruction

Doug SutherlandCommissioner of Public Lands

Mike KreidlerInsurance Commissioner

Speaker Chopp called upon President of the Senate Brad Owen to preside over the Joint Session.

The President appointed a special committee to escort the Supreme Court Justices from the State Reception Room to the House Chamber: Representatives Carrell, Hatfield, Lantz and Pearson and Senators Constantine, Kline, Sheahan and Zarelli.

The President appointed a special committee to escort the statewide elected officials from the State Reception Room to the House Chamber: Representatives Edmonds, Hunt, Morell and Schmidt and Senators Costa, Oke, Roach and T. Sheldon.

The President appointed a special committee to escort the statewide elected officials and honoree from the State Reception Room to the House Chamber: Representatives Ballasiotes and Veloria and Senators Honeyford and Prentice.

The President appointed a special committee to advise Governor Gary Locke that the Joint Session had assembled and to escort him from his chamber to the House Chamber: Representatives Armstrong and Linville and Senators Deccio and Eide.

The Supreme Court Justices arrived, were escorted to the floor of the House Chamber and were introduced: Chief Justice Gerry L. Alexander and Justices Charles W. Johnson, Richard B. Sanders, Faith Ireland, Bobbe J. Bridge, Tom Chambers and Susan J. Owens.

The statewide elected officials arrived, were escorted to the floor of the House and were introduced: State Treasurer Mike Murphy, State Auditor Brian Sonntag, State Attorney General Christine O. Gregoire, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson. The statewide elected officials-elect were introduced: Secretary of State-elect Sam Reed, Commissioner of Public Lands-elect Doug Sutherland and Insurance Commissioner-elect Mike Kreidler.

The Governor arrived, was escorted to the Rostrum of the House and was introduced.

The statewide elected officials and honoree arrived, were escorted to the Rostrum of the House and were introduced: Secretary of State Ralph Munro, Commissioner of Public Lands Jennifer Belcher and Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn, and Representative Renee Radcliff.

The flag was escorted to the rostrum by a Sergeant at Arms Color Guard, Pages Kyle Ritter and Tyler Seick.

Prayer was offered by Mr. Joe Harris, Chief Financial Officer, St. Vincent De Paul, Seattle.

Mr. Harris: "Lord, you have called us to a unique vocation, that of service to your people in Washington State. Grant us patience to listen carefully to every request for help. Give us also wisdom to seek just solutions to the problems affecting our community.

And, finally, show us the meaning of humility that we may know that successes and failures as defined by the standards of the world are sometimes only an exercise in vanity. We ask for this help in the name of the Lord, Amen."

Speaker Ballard: "It is with great sadness that we say goodbye temporarily to a distinguished colleague Representative Renee Radcliff. Renee has served her constituents in this institution with honor and dignity. She raised the level of esteem for public service. In her own way, she has touched each of us and leaves a lasting mark on this institution by setting high standards for herself and all of us as law makers. We owe a great deal of thanks to Renee Radcliff for her years of dedicated service in Olympia. We will miss her thoughtful leadership and her kind manner. She has been a model legislator. Each of us would do well to conduct the business of our offices with the same strong compassionate approach that has made her such an effective voice for her constituents. We will miss her warm demeanor and her great singing voice. I asked her to help me with my singing. She listened briefly. She said 'I don’t mind the difficult but I can’t handle the impossible.' We will miss her great since of humor. We will loose her as a colleague but never as a friend. And I hope she will accept this invitation to be here to spend time with us, to counsel us, and to laugh with us whenever she wishes to bless us with her presence.

You are welcome back anytime, Renee. Perhaps the only consolation that I have is that I know she has the desire and the strength to return to us someday as a legislator. You, I and the people of this State can look forward to a day when she will serve in this body once again.

Renee, we love you and God's speed."

Representative Renee Radcliff: "Speaker Ballard told me I had to open this and it’s quite heavy. And it’s from Talcotts. I was hoping it was a diamond; it’s very large. I’ve got a hunch it’s a paper weight. It’s the seal of the State of Washington and a beautiful paper weight – thank you so much and thank you for your kind remarks, Speaker Ballard. I knew I should have prepared remarks and I didn’t.

Until very recently I thought I would serve in this chamber forever or at least until I’m as old as Speaker Ballard. You know, he can’t take me off any committee at this point.

Sometimes life deals us a hand that we are not entirely prepared to play but we take those cards and we play them to the best of our ability. And even at times when the game is painful and difficult, we still play to win. Those of you who know me best, know that ultimately I never lose. And so it is with difficult that I leave you. But I do hope that some day I’ll be able to return. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving with each and every one of you, and even on those days when we had vigorous disagreements, I never doubted for a moment that you had the best interest of the people of your districts at heart. I value that in you. If there is just one thing I could leave you with – and I would like to leave you with a thousand things but this is not an opportunity for me to lobby you – but just one thing, if you are having some of those vigorous disagreements, work those issues out because those tend to be the most important things we do. But as you work those issues diligently remember who you are dealing with and that each one of you represents the people of this State. Treat each other with the kindness, the dignity and the respect that each one of you so richly deserves.

In closing, I want to say thank you to the House Republican Caucus, to Speaker Ballard and to my Legislative Assistant Nian Fakkema. Thank you to all of you for putting up with me – some days that was the greatest challenge of them all. And I appreciate it. To each one of you thank you for your friendship. I hope that even though I’m not here, you’ll know that my heart is here with you. That friendship will continue. Especially, thank you so much for so thoughtfully representing the people of your district and for caring so much about this State that we all love.

Thank you and do good work."

Representative Shay Schual Berke: "It is a distinct privilege for me to have the honor to say thank you to Deborah Senn. For all the dedication and service that you have given to the people of this State of Washington. Deborah, you are talented and bright. You have always championed the people.

Deborah’s commitment to fairness and justice shines thorough her every action and has for every moment she’s been in public service. We know that Deborah has transformed the Office of the Insurance Commissioner from a little known agency, quietly working with the insurance industry into a strong and an effective consumer advocacy agency that has been there for our people when they have most needed it. And thanks to her vision and effort, every one knows they can call the SHEBA hotline when they need to. She has worked for the vulnerable and to create meaningful solutions for them – solutions which will continue. This is Deborah Senn's real gift and her legacy to us – the people of the State of Washington.

Her instinct has always been for how real people feel the effects of what we do. One of my most moving experiences as a freshman legislator was when I met a young woman who had had a heart transplant. It is not difficult to imagine how sick that young woman must have been but she survived her surgery and was doing well thanks to life sustaining medication. I met her though after her insurance company denied continued coverage for that medication, and despite the fact that she had done everything she could for herself, I met her because Deborah Senn and her office intervened for this young woman. She got her coverage continued for her medication and today Victoria is healthy and vibrant. There are so many others who have Deborah and her good work to thank for their continued well being.

I know in the short time that I’ve known Deborah Senn, I've come to realize she can also surprise us. Many have come to expect to see her riding her Harley in black leather at a parade and she certainly hasn’t shied away from the press or publicity, now has she? I heard a story when I first got here about then Representative Phil Dyer introducing a bill that some felt was just a little bit favorable for the insurance industries and how Commissioner Senn held a press conference with bags of gravy train dog food at her door.

Well, Deborah is also committed to family like all of us. She has many sides and despite all of her hard work, she spends much time with her mother.

She is a ardent advocate of fairness and justice. We know that many people have opinions but relatively few step up to the plate to take action. A personally relevant example from this past session was when Deborah championed Holocaust survivors' right to get the insurance assets that been withheld from them for so many years. If her style has at times been controversial – well that's what people that fight for our rights sometime need to be. There are many people in Washington that are alive today because Deborah Senn was fighting in their corner, in their time of need and today feel a tremendous sense of lost.

Now, Deborah, I would like to tell you what I think your true legacy is, and for which we all owe a great debt of gratitude – never again will the Office of the Insurance Commissioner be seen as the quiet agency working only with the insurance industries. Never again will consumers feel that they have nowhere to turn in their time of need. Never again will we have an insurance commissioner who does not believe that he or she is the true champion of all the people of the State of Washington. So for myself personally, and on behalf of the Legislature and all those out there grateful for the good work that will endure, I thank you, Deborah Senn."

Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn: "Thank you, Shay. Thank you, members of the Legislature and State elected officials, and Governor Locke. I’m so honored to be here. I was going to wear my leather but I didn’t think it was suitable until I saw Ralph's tartan. So I’m kind of sorry that I didn’t wear my leather outfit like I had planned.

I want to start by asking my chief deputy and members of my staff who have come to be here today to stand and be recognized because this is the most awesome staff in State Government. So please stand up. I love you guys.

Also, everyone in this room knows how hard political life is on a spouse or partner. They are truly the unsung heroes of politics. They share your joys and highs but they also suffers your blows and your stress. They are very patient about the countless hours of out of town meetings in which you're missing in action. About sixteen years ago, I had a big wedding reception but we held the ceremony in private because I was too shy to get married in front of people. Well I’m over my shyness. So I want to, in front of all of you, recognize and say thank you, my incredible husband Rudy Burch, and tell you I love him so much.

Thank you, this has been the best eight years of my life and I know that everyday because when I’m in a restaurant in Seattle, the waiter comes up to me and says our rules limiting preexisting conditions enabled him to get health insurance. And I know that everyday because just last week at Cosco, a meat cutter stuck her head out from behind the counter and thanked me for my work on prescription drug coverage. I know that because at the Ellenberg's rodeo, one of the one hundred thousand Prudential policy holders came up to me and said thank you, that Prudential gave $13,000 in a refund because of the settlement on the case on unfair sales practices. I know that everyday because Kim was able to rebuild the home her spouse blew up and was able to do it with her home owners insurance money because of the work of my great staff and because the Legislature passed a good law. And perhaps the greatest satisfaction is to know my staff and I have been part of saving a life. The scriptures tell you that if you save one life, you save the world. I am proud everyday that we fought to continue the coverage that Shay mentioned of Victoria Dole’s heart transplant medicine. We also fought to get Jay Ellison’s stem cell transplant for his multiple sclerosis coverage and now he is walking. Both Jay & Victoria in spite of their struggle, came Olympia to advocate for patients bill of rights. They came today so please recognize Jay Ellison and Victoria Dole because it was you – the Legislature, Jay and Victoria – who did this for the people of the State of Washington.

So the next time you hear about a poll that says young people don’t want to go into politics or public service, just remember they are young, just shrug and remind them that public service is a sacred trust. So when you pass transportation this session, which will no doubt make our roads safer, you will save one life and will save the world and when you pass the DSHS budget and help children or a bill to protect our resources or to save our salmon, you will have saved one life and you will save the world. What you do here in this Chamber is a sacred trust.

Finally on a personal note – perhaps one of the proudest moments of this eight years was when this Legislature unanimously passed the Holocaust Survivors Assistant Act. I thank you Senators Margarita Prentice, Adam Kline, Jim West, Don Benton. I thank you Representatives Shay Schual-Berke, Renee Radcliff, Sharon Tomiko Santos and Brad Benson. And many others.

So I bid you farewell. But of the four us honored today, my departure from public service is not entirely voluntary. Yesterday one of my staff suggested that I quote a very wise man Arnold Schwartzeneger 'I’ll be back'. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Senator Karen Fraser: "Thank you. It is my honor to recognize Commissioner of Public Lands Jennifer Belcher. As we gather here in the House Chamber today in joint session, I suspect Public Land Commissioner Jennifer Belcher's thoughts must be filled with many memories and a lot of nostalgia – in part because she began her elected career in this chamber as a member of the House of Representatives. Her service began in 1983 and she served five consecutive terms; that's ten vigorous years. I was privileged to serve with her during my first two terms and her last two terms, along with Insurance Commissioner-elect Mike Kreidler who at that time was State Senator. I always appreciated her kind and informative assistance in helping me to learn the ways of the House and the Legislature. All who have been here know how important it is to get some good advice early on.

In the House, Representative Belcher was widely admired for her strong capable leadership. She made a major mark on many policy areas. She chaired the Natural Resources Committee; she worked hard to improve the status of women; she sought fair pay and just treatment for all working people; and she was one of the 'Steel Magnolias' that developed the foundation for our growth management policies.

Representative Belcher was highly regarded for her caring, her commitment to public service and as a tough negotiator. She has always been dedicated to the voters who recognized her enormous capabilities and elected her twice to serve as Commissioner of Public Land. She continued to demonstrate these qualities in addition to showing what a capable executive she is.

In the role of Public Lands Commissioner, for those who are watching this ceremony who are not as familiar with it as some of us, it is truly a position of very great public trust for present and future generations. The impact of her work will last a century or more. Her role is critical to our state's economy, the quality of our natural resources, our state's financial capacity and continuation of our recreational and cultural heritage. As Commissioner of Public Lands, she been the manager of our great state's legacy of trust lands and resources granted to us at Statehood. We are one of the few western states that continues to have a large amount of these lands still in the public trust. These lands include timber lands, agricultural lands, aquatic lands which includes the bottom of Puget Sound and the bottom of many of our lakes and rivers, and she was entrusted with leadership on forest practices policies. As we all know there no shortage of divers and strongly held opinions on what should be contained in all these complex policies. So it takes a head and firm commitment to serve effectively in this role which she has certainly done and this is in the easiest of times.

During her tenure, we have gone through a period of considerable change in our State. The context has included very great population growth, significant economic change, growing stress on our natural resources which has culminated in many listings under the Endangered Species Act.

So Commissioner Belcher will be remembered for much during her 8-year two-term tenure as Commissioner of Public Lands. She has promoted a shared vision for natural resources. She is very good at establishing goals and working through strategies to implement them. She has promoted the management of our ecosystems as a whole, not just piece meal which is essential to good judgement. She has worked to enhance the value of our public lands legacy through diversification. She has increased the priority attention given to our aquatic land resources and particularly to some of the pollution problems. She has promoted quality public administration through investing in a quality work force, in efficiency through technology and use of best available science.

Absolutely vital to success is her work to forge strong partnerships between the Department of Natural Resources and a myriad of local, state and federal agencies, tribal and private organizations, and land owners throughout the State. And through all this, she has served with intelligence, integrity and a steady commitment to the public interest for which we can all be proud and appreciative. So, Jennifer, we thank you for your truly dedicated leadership to the people of the State of Washington – present and future. Thank you for the great legacy you are leaving and personally thank you for being a wonderful colleague and friend. And we wish pleasant opportunities to engage in your many personal interest now that you will have a little more personal time. We would like to present you with a wonderful gift which is a replica of the historic door knob from in the Legislative Building. We hope you will view this as an invitation to come visit."

Commissioner of Public Lands Jennifer Belcher: "Thank you. This is a particularly appropriate gift since I serve on the State Capital Committee and have been actively engaged in helping to get these buildings back into some greater condition. So I will truly treasure this.

Ladies and gentleman, honored guests and my treasured colleagues – it is with distinct pleasure, that only those of you in this room can truly understand, that I can say in this chamber today I am '29 years of public service to the State of Washington' old. Or as a really good friend of mine said "you finally reached where the State of Washington will pay you to do nothing." I like that definition of retirement. I think that's very good.

I have had a wonderfully varied career, as Karen pointed some of the things out. I began as an administrative secretary in what was then known as the State Planning and Community Affairs Agency. I was working for Dan Evans' State Planning Director who had been brought to the State of Washington to try to adopt a statewide land use plan in 1967. Ironically while he was not successful then, a little more than twenty years later I was one of the members of this body who helped to pass a growth management act and for me it brought things full circle. I very much appreciated my opportunity to participate in creating that act.

I served as staff to two very different Governors, Dan Evans and Dixie Lee Ray. And learned a lot from both of those people, different lessons but a lot from each one. It was there that I met my very good friend Ralph Munro who has continued to be a mentor to me and has helped me to achieve many successes.

For ten years, I was fortunate to represent the people from the 22^nd in this Chamber and to work on many important policy changes. My class of 1982 has given the State two speakers of this House, several judges, a governor and a commissioner of Public Lands. My time in this body was especially rewarding. I will never forget the thrill of taking that first oath of office and being sworn in to serve the people. It is an incredible experience nor the thrill of adopting good policy. In the ten years, I was here we adopted the Growth Management Act as much hard work. We adopted the Model Toxic Control Act. We increased the state's minimum wage and set in place a process to ensure that it never again falls behind. We passed the family leave act. We passed Comparable Worth Act. Those are just some of the successes of the time I served here in this body.

But we also knew how to have fun. I hope you will not forget that as you serve here. I will never forget slipping into this Chamber in the wee hours of the morning when it was dark. I was with my two very good cohorts and co-troublemakers, Representative Katie Allen, who was an absolutely incredible Republican activist, and someone who was not as well known, Gary Locke, who is now Governor. We switched the yes and no buttons on some very key desks. We were innocent then, and we picked a cut off day by mistake. As a result, later in the day when votes were taken, all pandemonium broke out. But you don't get the kind of leaders my class produced if you aren't willing to take a few risks. And we demonstrated that.

During my last eight years as Commissioner of Public Lands, I have concentrated on the natural resources of this State which are truly unique throughout the world. Being Commissioner is an incredible job; the challenges are overwhelming and they will become more so as we continue toward doubling of the State's population in the next forty five years. My service as Commissioner has been extremely rewarding because we have been able to make long lasting change and to enhance the value of the legacy your grandchildren will inherit.

I just sent you my final report chronically our achievements and making recommendations. But let me bring just one to your attention today; the rest I will let you read for yourselves. In 1992 I set out to demonstrate that we could generate revenue from our lands and be environmentally responsible -- something that in 1992 few people believed we could do. We adopted a habitat conservation plan which was a totally new way of doing business. But we also filled the coppers of the Trust. Since Statehood the Trust Lands have generating 5.5 billion dollars in revenue to the people of this State. In the last eight years we have generate 2.1 billion dollars of that 5.5 billion dollars; 39% of the total revenue since Statehood has been generated during my administration. We should once and for all reject the notion that we must chose between environmental responsibilities and money for our schools.

My report to you includes as the statute requires recommendations. I know you have a difficult session before you but there are two areas that I would ask you to consider this session. They are both vitally important to the health of this State.

First, commit to cleaning up Puget Sound. There are currently more than one hundred and twelve underwater contaminated landfills in Puget Sound. Here is a fact that you should all know. Between 1992 and 1996, Washington discharged 1.5 million pounds of cancer-causing pollutants directly into water. That is more than any other state in the Nation and that my friends is appalling.

Second, protect our shorelines from inappropriate development. The people in this State felt so strongly in the 1970s we should protect these fragile areas that they passed the Shoreline Management Act by initiative. And yet we have granted more than 26,000 substantial development permits not counting single family residencies since the Act was passed. We cannot recover salmon and other troubled species unless we step up to the need for greater protection of this critical habitat area.

Well, that is enough seriousness. When my good friend, Charlie Reed retired from DSHS last year, he named the things he would miss and the things he would not miss. I want to share a few of mine.

I won't miss people who call you at home on Sunday to discuss a problem with their neighbor. I won't miss the few members of the press who think a balanced news story means getting 2 bad quotes from people on the opposite side of the issue. I won't miss legislators who take 10 minutes to ask you a question and give you 1 minute to answer. I won't miss biting my tongue while listening to jokes about politicians.

Things I will miss: the many friends I have made over the years. I too will be back to visit you. The dedicated State employees who work without recognition for often 60 plus hours a week, every week. And while I'm at it, let me recognize my staff, some of whom joined me today. Would you stand and be recognized? They are a phenomenal team, they've done great things for you. And I would also like to recognize the person on the podium with me today, Michelle Benton, my Administrative Assistant and good friend. She has worked with me for eleven years.

Things I will miss: the Department's airplane – way cool! And my movie pass. Thank you Gordon wherever you are for helping to keep me sane during these eighteen years by providing a little bit of entertainment and thank you all for the experience of my life."

Senator Patricia Hale: "Mr. President, Governor Locke, colleagues and honored guests. It is a privilege and an honor to rise today in recognition of the outstanding contributions to the State of Washington by one of its most effective and certainly most beloved leader our retiring Secretary of State Ralph Munro.

Ralph has been a guiding light to many of us in this body for a long time. His dedication to public service and his commitment to the people of our State is unsurpassed by those who have walked these halls. His career has been a model of public service and an example for the rest of us to follow. You sound like a saint, don't you Ralph? As our ambassador to the world, Ralph has helped bring of thousands of new jobs to the State, he has opened countless markets for our products overseas and he has won friends for us around the globe. I can say that with authority because I've watched. I had the good fortune to accompany Ralph on a trade mission to Northern Ireland and I was amazed at the way all the people we met related to Ralph. Whether they were heads of state, a hotel clerk or people who served us at the tavern. He made an instant contention to people because he treated everyone with respect, he treated everyone as a friend.

His understanding of good business practices and common sense government led him to streamlined the State's business licensing requirements into a "one stop shop". Ralph also knows that good work requires good people. So he developed incentive plans to reward employees who have figured out ways to save the State money on improved efficiencies.

He has worked to help the developmentally disabled for thirty years. At Ralph's retirement party, not long ago, former Governor Dan Evans said, "Ralph is a person who taught me to care." The person who taught me to care – that is a powerful testimonial.

He was the State's first volunteer coordinator and he has been volunteering to help others ever since. He commitment to the preservation of wildlife and the environment is well known. So is Ralph's reverence for the State's history. And his gratitude for the opportunities it has provided for his own family. He has been involved in historic preservation efforts throughout Washington and has helped established four regional archives to preserve that history. As Secretary of State he has been a tireless promoter of voter education, registration and participation. He has also been a tireless champion of the best and newest voting technologies. I dare say he is an example for others to follow when it comes to conducting recounts without judicial interference.

The Florida fiasco could not have happened on Ralph's watch – he would not have allowed it.

Ralph's accomplishments in over thirty years of public service have been recognized by many organizations in this State and in the nation. He has been honored by foreign countries and international heads of state. They include Spain, King Juan Carlos and former Russian president Boris Yeltsen, both of whom honored Ralph with the highest awards they could give to noncitizens. Ralph has truly been a world wide secret weapon.

That's Ralph – the consummate professional. But we here at home have had an opportunity to get to know Ralph the man – the warm and supportive friend with the booming and gravel for breakfast voice, the relentless sense of humor.

Ralph is one in a million. We are going to miss you so much, Ralph – your sensitivity, your decency, your honesty. We are going to miss your caring, your civility and your boundless good nature. We are going to miss your stories and your kilts but probably not your bagpipes. Your grandfather Alexander may have craved some of these stones used to build this great building but you, my friend, have been the rock that has helped to make it grow.

Good luck to you and Karen. God bless and God speed."

Ralph Munro: "Thank you. Governor Locke and members of the Legislature and members of the Court and citizens all, thank you so very much. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve. Not one of us as elected officials could possibility carrying out these tasks without an outstanding team beside us. In the front room of the Gallery today there are four or five individuals I'd like to briefly introduce.

The first is Don Whiting, often called "Mr. Credibility in State Government". Don started as a clerk in the Secretary of State's Office over 30 years ago. He has served as a junior level staff person, a clerk for numerous task forces, the chief elections officer of the State of Washington and finally as Assistant Secretary of State. He is the best that I know and I'm so proud of his work. Mr. Don Whiting.

The second is Tracy Guerin. Tracy can stretch a dollar farther than any other financial officer in a State agency that I know of. If she was in charge of the State's budget you would have so much money to spend you wouldn't know where to put it all. She is outstanding. Most recently she has served as our Assistant Secretary of State. Tracy Guerin.

The third is Michelle Burkheimer. Her work in the international arena and the development of international student programs including our well known database has contributed immensely to Washington State's business development both here and other seas. She has been an excellent Deputy Secretary of State. Michelle Burkheimer.

The fourth is David Brine. David took the office of Communications Director to entirely new levels with improvements to the Voters' Pamphlet, the development of our website and the beginnings of a system to announce timely election results over the Web immediately following the close of the polls. I should tell you that our election reporting website had more than 2 million hits in the thirty hour period following the polls closing. David Brine. Of those 2 million hits, 1.6 million came from the personal computers of Maria Cantwell and Slade Gorton.

The final is Jan Nutting, my personal secretary. She is the best that state government has and I will be indebted to her for the rest of my life. One of our outstanding state employees – Jan Nutting.

We can all be thankful that Washington State government attracts the very best – and our team in the Secretary of State's Office including these folks and many others have been the very best.

Karen and I wear our kilts today to pay respect to my grandparents who came to America. My grandfather, a poor Scottish stonemason having experience working on the castles of North Scotland, went to worked on state capitol buildings. Recruited to work on the Texas capitol, he later worked on the capitol buildings in Kansas, Colorado, Victoria British Columbia and finally here in Olympia. He considered this structure to be the grandest of all. He worked full time on the job, starting at the Wilkerson Stone Quarry at the side of Mount Rainier and then at the Walkercutt's Stone Company on the Tacoma Tide Flats and finally here in Olympia from 1922 to 1928. What a task it was to create such a beautiful structure.

Our family has always been immensely proud of this building. As it was completed and the workers stared into the lavish new offices for the elected officials, I doubt that my grandfather ever dreamed that one of his grandchildren would occupy a spot in this capitol.

I came to work here several days before Christmas in 1966. I was a supply clerk for the House of Representatives. The Republicans had taken control and Speaker Don Eldridge and Sergeant at Arms Eugene Prince hired me fresh out of college. I've worked as a supply clerk, a reader on this podium, Bill Room supervisor, Assistant Sergeant at Arms, the State's first volunteer coordinator, Assistant to Governor Dan Evans, a lobbyist for handicapped children and finally as the Secretary of State. I am afraid my career has not been very successful since my opening day of work in 1966 the farthest I've ever moved is about 150 feet down the hall and in all those years I've only moved up one floor.

My roommate Mel Dodd and I were prowling the halls looking for good looking women to date on the opening day of Session in 1971 . . .

Mrs. Karen Munro: "I guess that's how I come in. I had just started working for the Senate Republican Caucus that year. Things were a little different back then because a woman named Helen Bonds and myself were the two people who did the press relations for the Senate Republican Caucus. We did the press releases and the radio and television contacts and whatever needed to be done. And we had our desks right in the caucus room then. All the senators were men and from time to time one of them would light up a cigar – cigarettes were quite common but the cigars were a little more unusual and some of the jokes told would not be told today – but we had a good time there and we got a lot of work done as well. Mel Dodd, Ralph's roommate, did come by my desk one day to say to hello and I thought that was nice of him. And the next day my roommate Maryann Holte said that she had an invitation for dinner that night from her very good friend Ralph and they wanted me to come along. That sounded like a good idea. That must have been just thirty years ago tomorrow because I know we were going to have dinner and then go up to hear the Governor's address. So we went off in Ralph's old truck to Shakey's Pizza Pallor. The truck had one window that was stuck down and you couldn't roll it up and it was a driving snow storm that night. It was a little unusual and I wasn't very impressed with the truck but I was impressed with the fact that Ralph worked for Dan Evans and he owned two ponies which I thought was a very good omen. I had been quite 'horsey' in my youth and that was a nice find. We started dating quite frequently. Later that year we both moved to Washington, D.C. Ralph didn't last very long at all; when he had a chance to come back here and go on Dan Evans' personal staff, he came right away. But I stayed a while and worked for the Drug Abuse Prevention Office for the White House. Then Ralph persuaded me that maybe I should come back to Washington State and so I did. We became engaged and were married in 1973. At that point, I determined that one politician in the family was probably enough. I had the opportunity to become the assistant director of the Washington Commission for the Humanities which was just being formed at the time. We had a wonderful experience and then came this program and starting it and it's still a very successful program today. When Dan Evans went out of office, Ralph and I moved up to Bainbridge Island and George was born. But he did spend most of his childhood when we came back to Olympia, most of his childhood was spent here. I remembered how he and his friends like to slide the marble rampettes of the Capitol out here. I remember some football games that took place in the House garage . . ."

George Munro: "Speaker Ballard, let the record show the ball that hit your car was in."

Karen Munro: "Later as many of you know, I did some lobbying here in the Capitol. First I worked for the National Facility of Humanities, Arts and Sciences to obtain funding for summer institutes which held we held for teachers from all across the State. Then later as a volunteer, I have lobbied on behalf of Washington State Horse Park Foundation and most recently for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition. In fact, this year I may be in the building more than Ralph is because I will still representing the WWRC around here. Like Ralph, I have many wonderful memories of the times we spent here with the Secretary of State's Office as well as in these other activities. I would like personally thank you all for your support and for all the good times we have had here."

Ralph Munro: "So you can see that this old Capitol Building means a lot to us. When I die you can scatter my ashes out there in Ulcer Gulch. The lobbyists have been trampling on my bills and legislation for so many years now, they might as well trample me after I'm gone.

Our parting request to you regards this beautiful structure that Grandpa Munro help to build. I hope you will cherish it. I know that the Capitol committees are going to be faced with terrible decisions, how much money to spend to preserve and restore the internal workings of this grand old Capitol Building which serves as our symbol of government itself. I urge you to be supportive.

In conclusion, Karen, George and I have tremendous respect for each of you. We have always admired the people who had the courage to leave the bleachers and grandstands and to enter the arena of politics. The people who are willing to stand up to the challenges, the hard work as well as the dust and dirt of the arena itself. You have the opportunity in the months and years ahead to make a remarkable difference for the people of the State of Washington. I urge you to do so.

Best of luck to our new Secretary of State Sam and his wife Margy Reed. They will do an excellent job.

Good luck and God's speed to each and everyone of you. Thank you."

President of the Senate Brad Owen: "We have the great distinction in the State of Washington of having a Governor who is recognized and respected not only across the State but across the nation. It is my great privilege and honor to present to you His Excellency the Honorable Governor Gary Locke."

Governor Gary Locke: "Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of Washington, our statewide elected officials and members of the Legislature and members of the Public, I am really pleased and honored to be here today to say good bye to four of our best public servants. Last Friday, the statewide elected officials met and had a great dinner and shared stories and said many of our goodbyes then. So I want to keep my remarks brief because we have heard some outstanding tributes already.

Let me first start with Ralph. Ralph Munro is that Republican office holder that Democrats are proud to openly say they have voted for. Olympia will simply not be the same without Ralph Munro and this really does mark the end of the kilt as we know it. Ralph, we will miss you. You are the most dedicated of civil servants and you truly have made your mark. Your innovations have made State Government more productive and have saved taxpayers millions of dollars through efficiencies and programs that you have overseen. Your campaign reforms have made Washington voting simpler and, more importantly, chad proof. You have insured the preservation of our heritage and history with your work with the oral history program but also with your co-chairmanship of our State's Centennial Celebration. Not only have you earned the people's trust and carried out the people's work, you have done it with style, flair and grace. Who else can play the bagpipes, design the State's tartan and count ballots at the same time? Mona and I wish you, Karen and George all the very best. Ralph – you are a class act and we will sorely miss you.

For the past eight years, Jennifer Belcher has served with distinction and courage as our State Lands Commissioner. I want to thank you for all your good work, Jennifer in preserving our State's natural resources and specifically our forest lands that generate as you indicated billions of dollars in revenue for our school construction and remodeling programs. Thanks to you, Jennifer, for helping to ensure the future of our children. Jennifer, I know it was not an easy decision for you to leave state government but please know that your legacy is secure. And the pranks you played in the State Capitol – though we did change virtually all the buttons – but I remember the time that we both came into the Legislature together and you gave me some words that I have never forgotten – that while we are all replaceable and there are talented people who could occupied our seats whatever office we hold, we bring to our jobs the ability to shape and improve people's lives in a way that no other person can. As Deborah Senn, our Insurance Commissioner said, if you save the life you save the world, if you benefit one person you benefit entire communities. Thank you, Jennifer for that admonition. I admire you on your decision to take on new challenges in your life. Mona and I wish you the very best. Thank you for your great service to the people of our state.

Deborah Senn, you've left your mark on state government as a standard bearer for consumers in the insurance field. Among your more notable achievements and one of great personally satisfaction I know is the overdue recognition of payments to Holocaust survivors and victims. Deborah, what an incredible legacy you leave. I want to thank you for your service to all of us in the State of Washington. We wish you and Rudy all the very best.

And to these three statewide elected officials who leave us, Ralph, Jennifer and Deborah, as President Clinton has shown us, you have twelve hours left in office, you can still issue a lot of rules and regulations.

Renee, your strength and integrity will missed. It will be missed by all your colleagues here in the Rotunda. Thank you for your work in helping to nurture high technology in our State's new economy and thanks for helping to bring State government into the 21^st Century. Our state has received national recognition because of the advent of technology and you are a key part of that. We want you to know that we are thinking of you during this difficult time and we know from our association with you, that you will win. And as Barry Sehlin has shown, people don't ever retire from the Legislature; they just take a respite and come back assuming an even higher position. We expect that of you, Renee.

To our statewide elected officials who are departing and to you Renee thank you. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many people in our state and for setting a course a legacy that will survive generations to come. On behalf of the great state of Washington, thank you and we wish you all the very best."

President of the Senate Owen: "It has certainly been a privilege to serve with all of these distinguished retiring state officials. We can be very proud in the State of Washington of the quality of the representatives that our citizens send to this incredible capitol of ours. Thank you all of you. And thanks to our speakers today who have helped us honor all of them. Thank you to all the friends and families for being here to help honor these distinguished people today as well."

The President requested that the committee come forward and escort the honorees from the House Chamber to the State Reception Room.

The President requested that the committee come forward and escort the Governor from the House Chamber to the State Reception Room.

The President requested that the committee come forward and escort the State elected officials from the House Chamber to the State Reception Room.

The President requested that the committee come forward and escort the Supreme Court Justices from the House Chamber to the State Reception Room.

MOTION

Representative Kessler moved that the Joint Session be dissolved. The motion was carried.

The President called upon Speaker Chopp to preside. Speaker Chopp requested the Sergeant at Arms of the House and the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate escort President Owen, President Pro Tempore Franklin, Majority Leader Snyder and Minority Leader West and members of the Senate from the House Chamber.

There being no objection, the House advanced to the fourth order of business.

INTRODUCTIONS AND FIRST READING

HB 1009by Representatives Quall, McDermott, Rockefeller, Haigh, Eickmeyer, Cooper, Jackley, Lantz, Kenney, Hatfield, Kirby, Keiser, O'Brien, Fromhold, Conway, Ericksen, Darneille, Ruderman, Kessler, Dickerson, Wood, Murray, Tokuda, Schual-Berke, Ogden, Edmonds, Kagi, Hunt, Romero, Santos and Linville

 AN ACT Relating to school district elections; amending RCW 28A.535.020, 28A.535.050, 84.52.056, and 39.36.020; repealing RCW 28A.530.020; and providing a contingent effective date.

Referred to Committee on Education.

HB 1010by Representatives Delvin, Quall, Sump and G. Chandler

 AN ACT Relating to motorcycle equipment; and amending RCW 46.37.530 and 46.37.535.

Referred to Committee on Transportation.

HJR 4201by Representatives Quall, McDermott, Rockefeller, Haigh, Cooper, Eickmeyer, Jackley, Lantz, Kenney, Hatfield, Kirby, Keiser, O'Brien, Fromhold, Conway, Ericksen, Darneille, Ruderman, Kessler, Dickerson, Wood, Murray, Tokuda, Schual-Berke, Ogden, Edmonds, Kagi, Romero, Hunt, Santos and Linville

  AN ACT RELATING To Amending the Constitution to provide for a simple majority of voters voting to authorize school district levies.

Referred to Committee on Education.

MOTION

On motion of Representative Kessler, the bills and resolution listed on the day's introduction sheet under the fourth order of business were referred to the committees so designated.

There being no objection, the House advanced to the eleventh order of business.

MOTION

On motion of Representative Kessler, the House adjourned until 11:30 a.m., January 10, 2001, the 3^rd Legislative Day.

CLYDE BALLARD, SpeakerFRANK CHOPP, Speaker

TIMOTHY A. MARTIN, Chief ClerkCYNTHIA ZEHNDER, Chief Clerk