FIFTY NINTH LEGISLATURE - REGULAR SESSION
FORTY THIRD DAY
House Chamber, Olympia, Monday, February 20, 2006
The House was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by the Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding). 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.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) welcomed all the children present for Children's Day. In honor of Children's Day, Jasmine Coates, granddaughter of Lemoyne Coates, House Photographer, sang "The Greatest Love of All".
RESOLUTIONS
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2006-4705, By Representative Kilmer
WHEREAS, The people of the State of Washington celebrate children for the happiness they bring to our lives and the hopes and dreams they have for our nation; and
WHEREAS, Children are the citizens of tomorrow and it is our solemn obligation to instill in them the values, conviction, goodwill, and fortitude they need to continue the wonderful legacy of freedom, peace, and prosperity we have inherited from those who came before us; and
WHEREAS, The children of Washington State should be cherished and are deserving of a nurturing and protective environment where they may develop their potential and flourish into whatever they aspire to be; and
WHEREAS, The children of Washington State should always know that they are valued members of our society, and that their opinions and ideas are welcome and respected; and
WHEREAS, Children should be loved and treasured by their parents, and all people of the State of Washington should help them by setting examples of what it means to be an ethical, hardworking, healthy, and productive citizen; and
WHEREAS, The children of the State of Washington should have access to quality education, wholesome recreation, and a safe community; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives welcome children into the House Chamber every Presidents' Day so they may witness the legislative process;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all citizens of Washington to celebrate children on Children's Day and throughout the year by spending more quality time with children and reminding children of their special place in our lives.
Representative Kilmer moved the adoption of the resolution.
Representatives Kilmer, DeBolt, Flannigan and Rodne spoke in favor of the adoption of the resolution.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4705 was adopted.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2006-4704, By Representative Roberts
WHEREAS, Washington is the only state named for an American president, George Washington, the father of our country, and as such, we Washingtonians hold the presidency and presidents in especially high regard; and
WHEREAS, For many years our state and nation have set aside the third Monday in February to celebrate Presidents' Day, which honors former presidents of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, Both February 12th, the actual birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, and February 22nd, the actual birthday of President George Washington, were kept and observed, until 1971, as the anniversaries of the births of these two great American presidents; and
WHEREAS, Presidents' Day, for many citizens, remains as a time for specifically honoring the accomplishments of Washington, the first American president, and Lincoln, the sixteenth American president; and
WHEREAS, It was in 1968 when federal legislation, the "Monday Holidays Act," was passed to install the Presidents' Day celebration that we have come to know and respect; and
WHEREAS, Although traditionalists cling to the notion that Presidents' Day remains a time for celebrating the specific legacies of Presidents Washington and Lincoln, nontraditionalists are very welcome to embrace the fact that former Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses Grant, James Garfield, and Teddy Roosevelt, as well as the presidents of later decades, are honored in numerous commemorations across the country; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, the Washington state legislature singled out the third Monday in February as a day for commemorating the births of Presidents Washington and Lincoln; and
WHEREAS, It is recognized that this diverse, wonderful land of ours has been fashioned into a priceless, multicultural quilt, thanks to the tireless efforts of our forefathers, especially George Washington and Abraham Lincoln; and
WHEREAS, The first eight American presidents, comprising almost a fifth of our forty-three presidents to date, did not begin their lives as Americans because there was no America when they were born, thus instilling a valuing and honoring of cooperation through diversity; and
WHEREAS, No Presidents' Day celebration would be complete without appropriate recognition for the invaluable service of the first ladies in our American presidential history; and
WHEREAS, The first ladies of our nation have not only provided citizens with role models who exemplify what it means to be an American, such as icons Dolly Madison, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Jacqueline Kennedy, but have served as an infallible backbone to a nation of strong-minded, ambitious, and driven individuals who value freedom and independence;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington salute and celebrate Presidents' Day 2006, a time for recognizing and paying tribute to the tireless dedication of our former presidents and first ladies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for effective distribution among the schools of the state of Washington to help our young people, any one of whom, male or female, could grow up to be President of the United States of America, strengthen their knowledge of our presidents and first ladies.
Representative Roberts moved the adoption of the resolution.
Representatives Roberts, Buri and Nixon spoke in favor of the adoption of the resolution.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4704 was adopted.
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
February 17, 2006
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed:
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6241,
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6386,
SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6604,
and the same are herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
February 17, 2006
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed:
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6385,
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6874,
and the same are herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
INTRODUCTION & FIRST READING
HCR 4418 by Representative B. Sullivan
Creating an aerospace task force.
Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade.
SSB 6241 by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Benson and Jacobsen; by request of Governor Gregoire)
AN ACT Relating to transportation funding and appropriations; amending RCW 47.29.170; amending 2005 c 313 ss 1, 102, 104, 105, 106, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 308, 309, 310, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 501, and 603 (uncodified); adding new sections to 2005 c 313 (uncodified); making appropriations and authorizing expenditures for capital improvements; repealing 2005 c 313 s 602 (uncodified); and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Transportation.
SB 6368 by Senators Haugen, Benson, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Carrell and Fairley
AN ACT Relating to the discontinuation of the nursing facility bed tax; creating a new section; repealing RCW 74.46.091, 74.46.535, 82.71.010, 82.71.020, and 82.71.030; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
SSB 6385 by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Doumit, Rasmussen, Fairley, Zarelli, Rockefeller, Brandland, Fraser, Pflug and Sheldon; by request of Governor Gregoire)
AN ACT Relating to providing excise tax relief by modifying due dates and eliminating an assessment penalty; amending RCW 82.32.045, 82.23B.020, 82.27.060, 82.32.085, and 82.32.105; creating new sections; and providing effective dates.
Referred to Committee on Finance.
ESSB 6386 by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Zarelli, Fairley, Fraser, Rockefeller, Shin and Brandland; by request of Governor Gregoire)
AN ACT Relating to fiscal matters; amending RCW 28A.500.030, 90.56.120, and 73.04.135; amending 2005 c 518 ss 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 105, 109, 112, 110, 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 401, 402, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 513, 514, 515, 516, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 710, 713, 716, 720, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 948, and 963 (uncodified); adding new sections to 2005 c 518 (uncodified); making appropriations; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
2SSB 6604 by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Rasmussen and McAuliffe; by request of Governor Gregoire)
AN ACT Relating to providing excise tax relief for aerospace businesses; amending RCW 82.04.250, 82.32.590, 82.32.600, and 82.04.4463; reenacting and amending RCW 82.32.330; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.04 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 82.32 RCW; creating a new section; providing effective dates; and providing expiration dates.
Referred to Committee on Finance.
SB 6704 by Senators Rasmussen, Prentice, Doumit, Schoesler, Honeyford, Brandland, Sheldon, Morton and Mulliken
AN ACT Relating to the excise taxation of the manufacturing, selling, and processing of certain food products; amending RCW 82.04.4266, 82.32.610, 82.74.010, 82.74.030, 82.74.040, 82.74.050, 82.08.820, 82.08.820, 82.08.820, 82.12.820, 82.32.600, and 82.32.590; reenacting and amending RCW 82.04.260; adding a new section to chapter 82.04 RCW; providing effective dates; and providing expiration dates.
Referred to Committee on Finance.
SSB 6874 by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Doumit, Zarelli, Hargrove, Morton, Sheldon and Rasmussen)
AN ACT Relating to tax incentives for persons who extract, manufacture, or process timber and timber products; amending RCW 82.04.230, 82.04.280, 82.04.280, and 82.04.440; amending 2003 c 149 s 12 (uncodified); reenacting and amending RCW 82.04.260; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Finance.
There being no objection, the bills and resolution listed on the day's introduction sheet under the fourth order of business were referred to the committees so designated.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
February 17, 2006
ESB 5179 Prime Sponsor, Senator Morton: Studying forest health issues. Reported by Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives B. Sullivan, Chairman; Upthegrove, Vice Chairman; Buck, Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake; Chandler; Dickerson; Eickmeyer; Hunt; Kagi and Orcutt.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
February 17, 2006
ESB 5232 Prime Sponsor, Senator Oke: Requiring a turkey tag to hunt for turkey. Reported by Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives B. Sullivan, Chairman; Upthegrove, Vice Chairman; Buck, Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake; Chandler; Dickerson; Eickmeyer; Hunt and Kagi.
MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Representative Orcutt.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
February 16, 2006
SSB 5236 Prime Sponsor, Senate Committee On Ways & Means: Providing additional funding to the prevailing wage program of the department of labor and industries by discontinuing the transfer of moneys from the public works administration account to the general fund-state account. Reported by Committee on Commerce & Labor
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Conway, Chairman; Wood, Vice Chairman; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Holmquist; Hudgins; Kenney and McCoy.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
February 16, 2006
ESSB 6166 Prime Sponsor, Senate Committee On Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection: Regulating mortgage brokers and loan originators. Reported by Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Kirby, Chairman; Ericks, Vice Chairman; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Tom, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Newhouse; O'Brien; Santos; Serben; Simpson and Strow.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
February 16, 2006
SSB 6168 Prime Sponsor, Senate Committee On Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection: Regulating business development companies and the participation of financial institutions and nondepository lenders in economic development within the state. Reported by Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Kirby, Chairman; Ericks, Vice Chairman; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Tom, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Newhouse; O'Brien; Santos; Serben; Simpson and Strow.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 16, 2006
SB 6231 Prime Sponsor, Senator Spanel: Exempting certain private air ambulance services from licensing under the insurance code. Reported by Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Kirby, Chairman; Ericks, Vice Chairman; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Tom, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Newhouse; O'Brien; Santos; Serben; Simpson and Strow.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 16, 2006
ESB 6236 Prime Sponsor, Senator Schmidt: Changing election dates and deadlines. Reported by Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Haigh, Chairman; Green, Vice Chairman; Nixon, Ranking Minority Member; Clements, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hunt; McDermott; Miloscia; Schindler and Sump.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 15, 2006
SSB 6246 Prime Sponsor, Senate Committee On Government Operations & Elections: Outlining the duties of the lieutenant governor. Reported by Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Haigh, Chairman; Green, Vice Chairman; Nixon, Ranking Minority Member; Clements, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Miloscia; Schindler and Sump.
MINORITY recommendation: Without recommendation. Signed by Representatives Hunt and McDermott.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 16, 2006
SSB 6382 Prime Sponsor, Senate Committee On Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: Authorizing the Washington horse racing commission to expend a statutorily limited amount of its operating funds for the development of the equine industry, improvement of racing facilities, and equine health research. Reported by Committee on Commerce & Labor
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Conway, Chairman; Wood, Vice Chairman; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Holmquist; Kenney and McCoy.
MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Representative Hudgins.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 16, 2006
SB 6416 Prime Sponsor, Senator Keiser: Prohibiting pyramid promotional schemes. Reported by Committee on Commerce & Labor
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Conway, Chairman; Wood, Vice Chairman; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Holmquist; Hudgins; Kenney and McCoy.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 16, 2006
ESB 6537 Prime Sponsor, Senator Kohl-Welles: Modifying requirements for the direct sale of wine to Washington state consumers. Reported by Committee on Commerce & Labor
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Conway, Chairman; Wood, Vice Chairman; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Holmquist; Hudgins; Kenney and McCoy.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
February 16, 2006
SB 6539 Prime Sponsor, Senator Kohl-Welles: Changing the formula cap on spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses. Reported by Committee on Commerce & Labor
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Conway, Chairman; Wood, Vice Chairman; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Holmquist; Hudgins; Kenney and McCoy.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
February 16, 2006
SSB 6571 Prime Sponsor, Senate Committee On Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection: Refining the definition of "bushing." Reported by Committee on Commerce & Labor
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Conway, Chairman; Wood, Vice Chairman; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Holmquist; Hudgins; Kenney and McCoy.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
There being no objection, the bills listed on the day's committee reports sheet under the fifth order of business were referred to the committees so designated.
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. The Senators were invited to sit within the Chamber.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) called upon President Owen to preside.
The President called the Joint Session to order. The Clerk called the roll of House members. The Clerk called the roll of Senate members. A quorum of the Legislature was present.
Chief Justice Gerry Alexander arrived and was escorted to the Rostrum.
The Statewide elected officials arrived and were escorted to the Rostrum. The President introduced Secretary of State Sam Reed; Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson; Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler; and Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland.
Her Excellency Governor Christine Gregoire arrived and was escorted to the Rostrum.
The Medal of Valor honorees arrived and were escorted to the Rostrum. The President introduced Greg Meinhold, Jim Swett, Dennis Kensey and Travis Jackson.
The Flags were escorted to the Rostrum by the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard, composed of Troopers Chad Hoff, Brian Dorsey, Peterson Stock, Jon Ladines and Melissa Braaten, and Sergeants Zach Elmore and Albert Escalera. The President led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem was sung by Jasmine Coates. The prayer was offered by Chaplain George Albertson, chaplain for the Washington State Patrol and the Thurston County Sheriff's Office.
President Owen: "The purpose of the joint session is to present Medal of Valor Awards, honoring four deserving citizens. It is now my pleasure to present Governor Christine Gregoire."
Governor Gregoire: "Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Secretary Reed, Chief Justice Alexander, members of the Washington State Legislature.
We gather this morning to award our state's Medal of Valor to four of our citizens who risked series injury or death to save or attempt to save the life of another. These four citizens – emblematic of "do unto others" – have set the bar for citizen heroism. They have blessed us with their courage and their example. They have renewed our faith that, in the heat of the moment, citizens will step up and act with astonishing courage regardless of the sacrifice.
A real hero understands that there are forces greater than self: Courage is grace under pressure, President Kennedy said, quoting Ernest Hemmingway. These citizens we honor today not only illustrate grace under pressure, they went above and beyond to demonstrate a willingness to pay the ultimate price to save a fellow citizen.
There is a common thread that binds each of our awardees: they were the faces in the crowd that did more than stare. They stepped up and helped when others would not. Thank God for them, and for those rare among us like them.
Our Washington State Medal of Valor was created in 1990, but today marks the first time it has been awarded. The medal reads, "For exceptionally valorous service, given in the act of saving the life of another."
Thank you for humbling us, thank you for making us proud to be Washingtonians."
Secretary of State Sam Reed: "The decoration of the state medal of valor is .999 pure silver and consists of the seal of the state of Washington, surrounded by a raised laurel wreath and suspended from a silver bar device inscribed "For Valor" which is suspended from a ring attached by a dark green ribbon, bordered by silver. The reverse of the decoration within the raised laurel wreath is inscribed with the recipient's name and the words: "For exceptionally valorous service, given in the act of saving the life of another."
The certificate accompanying the medal will prominently display the title, "Washington State Medal of Valor", the recipient's name, and the phrase, "For exceptionally valorous service, given in the act of saving the life of another." A seven-line citation will also be included on the certificate."
TRAVIS JACKSON
DENNIS KENSEY
President Owen: "Madame Governor, it is my pleasure to introduce Travis Jackson and Dennis Kinsey.
These two Clark County men were driving home from work the night of January 18, 2005, when they came upon a fiery car crash. Both of them stopped to assist. Both of them saved a life. Travis Jackson actually witnessed the horrible accident: a Jeep careened over a curb on State Highway 500 at 112th Avenue in Orchards, crashed into a guardrail, slammed into a concrete signpost and burst into flames.
After calling 9-1-1, Jackson emptied the entire contents of a fire extinguisher to diminish the flames. The driver's door jammed into the rear door, Jackson used his bare hands to pry apart the metal and open the door, out of which black smoke poured. With the assistance of Dennis Kinsey, Jackson grabbed the driver under his arms and hauled him out of the vehicle – just in time. Fire swallowed up the Jeep just as Kinsey and Jackson placed the driver on the road.
Kinsey, a former volunteer emergency management technician, used his expertise on the scene. He knew to carefully cradle the driver's neck and keep him perfectly still until emergency crews arrived. The driver suffered a broken nose, internal injuries and cuts to his face – but thanks to the bravery and swift response of Jackson and Kinsey, he survived.
A firefighter spokesperson on the scene said that once notified, it took crews less than five minutes to get to the scene, but that they could not have saved the driver if he had still been in the Jeep.
Madame Governor – Travis Jackson and Dennis Kinsey."
The Governor awarded Travis Jackson and Dennis Kinsey the Medal of Valor.
GREG MEINHOLD
Chief Justice Gerry Alexander: "On November 23, 2001, Greg Meinhold was on his way to pick up his dry cleaning, when he found himself distracted. As he drove along Everett's 19th Street, he noticed a canoe – whose only passenger was a dog – floating in the middle of Silver Lake. Suspicious, he got out of his car and walked to the fishing dock along the shore. That's when he saw a man thrashing in the water.
Finding nothing buoyant near the dock, Meinhold drove to a nearby restaurant, where he remembered seeing canoes. He found one – a display model – but no paddles or oars. So, the former Boy Scout who once had taught canoeing improvised: He grabbed an 18-by-24-inch cookie sheet from the restaurant's kitchen.
Meinhold used it to row out one-quarter of a mile to the man who'd been in the frigid water for 20 minutes. Employing a wrestling move he learned in high school, Meinhold was able to get not only the drowning man into the canoe, but his 60-pound Labrador, Sara, too – without capsizing. Medics arrived, and the man survived.
Concerned that the city wouldn't be prepared to deal with similar situations in the future, Meinhold developed a plan for quick water rescue response on Silver Lake – so that other citizens wouldn't have to risk their own lives to rescue someone.
Asked why he felt compelled to rescue the man while others merely watched: "It's a human life. You just pray to God somebody would do it for you or someone you cared about," Meinhold said.
The Governor awarded Greg Meinhold the Medal of Valor.
JIM SWETT
Representative Lovick: "On December 15, 2004, after delivering flowers and plants to a local nursery, trucker Jim Swett found himself in the middle of a scene described by one onlooker as "a house fire in the middle of the freeway." A southbound truck crossed a freeway median and slammed into two other vehicles as they traveled northbound on Interstate 5 near Smokey Point.
Without regard for his own safety, Swett saved three lives that day. A window and the taillights of one of the cars, a Suburban, had already melted from the intense heat created by nearby vehicles when Swett smashed one of its windows and helped a woman escape. Fearing that flames would ignite the Suburban, he attached a tow strap to his semitruck, pulled the melting vehicle to safety, pried open a door with a crowbar, and rescued two terrified children who sat in the back seat crying.
Even after emergency officials arrived on the scene, Swett, then 68 years old, wouldn't rest. He was so focused on helping the survivors of the accident that he didn't realize his arms had been burned by the heat until he returned home.
His selfless decision to risk his own life saved the lives of others. Swett attributes his heroism to his 15-year-old grandson, Brandon, who died in a rollover accident four years earlier. He said the two children in the back of the SUV reminded him of his grandson –all three had red hair."
The Governor awarded Jim Swett the Medal of Valor.
The Sergeant at Arms escorted the Medal of Valor recipients from the Chambers.
The Sergeant at Arms escorted the Governor from the Chambers.
The Sergeant at Arms escorted the elected statewide officials from the Chambers.
The Sergeant at Arms escorted Chief Justice Gerry Alexander from the Chambers.
MOTION
On motion of Representative Kessler, the joint session was dissolved.
President Owen returned the gavel to the Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding). The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) thanked the President and asked the Sergeant at Arms to escort the President and members of the Senate from the Chambers.
There being no objection, the House advanced to the eleventh order of business.
There being no objection, the House adjourned until 10:00 a.m., February 21, 2006, the 43rd Day of the Regular Session.
FRANK CHOPP, Speaker
RICHARD NAFZIGER, Chief Clerk