WHEREAS, Senator Alex Deccio served with distinction in public service for 30 years, 4 years as a Yakima county commissioner and 26 years in the Washington State Legislature representing the 14th legislative district; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio dedicated his service in the Senate to health care legislation as chair of the Health and Long-Term Care Committee; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio sponsored or cosponsored nursing home reform legislation that resulted in Washington state's nursing homes being ranked highest for safety and care in the United States; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio's legislation created adult family homes, and set safety and quality standards for assisted living facilities and retirement homes that have benefited countless people over the years; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio sponsored the landmark 1988 AIDS Omnibus Act, the first legislation in the nation to present a comprehensive approach to the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio established the division of alcohol and drug abuse in the Department of Social and Health Services, which set up treatment programs around the state, removing people addicted to alcohol and drugs from our jails and getting them help and recovery; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio cosponsored the bill to require reserved parking for persons with disabilities, helping them better navigate in the world and making a huge difference in their daily lives; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio was a lifetime advocate for persons with developmental disabilities, cosponsoring a bill to reform programs in order to give respite care to parents caring for their loved ones; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio cosponsored legislation creating a disciplinary commission for all health care providers who have been cited for misconduct, thus saving the innocent from harm; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio's work on nursing home legislation and with Medicare resulted in laws that now enable a person to get needed nursing home care without impoverishing their spouse; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio served a session as vice-president pro tem, presiding over the state Senate when the Lieutenant Governor was absent; and

      WHEREAS, Senator Deccio has always championed the elderly, people with disabilities, and people who are unable to take care of themselves; and he has left a lasting legacy in health care;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate recognize, congratulate, and pay tribute to Senator Alex Deccio for his lifetime of making a difference for all Washingtonians; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the members and staff of the Washington State Senate offer their best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement and our deepest gratitude to Senator Alex Deccio.

REMARKS BY SENATOR MCCASLIN

Senator McCaslin: “Thank you Mr. President. If the President would allow I could speak for an hour on Alex Deccio but he won’t allow it and you don’t want to hear me talk for an hour and I can’t talk for an hour. I’m a short speaker, not only in stature but in speaking time. Probably the most important 'Whereas' in this; Whereas, Senator Deccio’s work on nursing home legislation and Medicare resulted in laws that now enable a person to get to get needed nursing home care without impoverishing their spouse.' Alex Deccio was probably one of the hardest working Senators I’ve ever known. Did we get along? Absolutely not. We argued constantly, in fact when I’d see him in the morning I’d say, ‘Am I mad at you or you mad at me? because we couldn’t keep track. We’d go to movies at night and the first thing he’d do was fall asleep. About half an hour or forty-five minutes later he’d wake up and I'll say ‘Let’s go’ and your sticking it out Alex. You’re sticking it out.' Actually, I called him 'Dec.' One of the interesting things about Alex Deccio, in 1981 when Sam Guess, Senator Sam Guess from the 6^th District was President Pro Tempore, he could not pronounce Deccio. I would go to Sam,-he was an engineer and he should have been able to say,-I’d say, Listen to me Sam, say 'Dec.' He’d say 'D.' I’d say 'eccio.' I can’t even do it now. Anyway, the point of my story is he would always call on Senator 'De-ccio' and we could never, never straighten Sam out on that but anyway he got recognized anyway. I said to him one day, ‘Alex,'-he was screaming at me,-I said, You’ve got to learn to control your temper.’ He said, ‘I don’t have a temper, I’m Italian.’ Of course some of you know me, you can see why he got mad at me but Alex was a worker and a schemer in getting things done. How things would show up in the capital budget or the operating budget with his name on it I will never know. He never taught me. I don’t know how to do it and if you learned from him you learned an awful lot. I’m certainly going to miss him and I hope you miss him too because he was truly, truly one of the most dedicated senators I’ve ever met. You know he owned a gas station at one time. He was in World War II. He came out a Major which surprised me, I came out a Second Class Radio Operator. How he beat me out with all that money I don’t know but he probably weaseled that some way. Anyway, Alex if you get a film of this, I miss you. I wish you the best in health and retirement. Alex has the most wonderful wife, Lucille, that has been with him for over sixty years. They have eight children. There’s just not enough good things to say about him. So, all I can say is, end with saying. ‘God Bless you Alex and God Bless you Lucille.’”

REMARKS BY SENATOR BRANDLAND

Senator Brandland: “I actually had the, I didn’t know Alex really, really well but I worked with him on Health Care for four years. In private I called him a crotchety old bugger. I called him 'the old guy' to his face but the reality is, Senator McCaslin is exactly right. I mean I don’t know where he’s at in his eighties but I hope I am as with it as Alex is because he had such an institutional history in the health care business and for those of us that were kind of new to that committee, he really could tell us about all the things that happened in the past and he was right on the money. A hard working guy. Alex Deccio was a truly one of the hardest working Senators I think I’ve ever seen. He just never seemed to give up. I saw him struggle that year last that he was here was really a painful experience, I think for all of us, because I think we saw that Alex was slipping. It was a painful thing to kind of watch and I think that we kind a knew that this era was going to be coming to an end as far as his presence in this body. He certainly will be missed. He’s a classy, classy guy.”

REMARKS BY SENATOR FRANKLIN

Senator Franklin: “Thank you Mr. President, and ladies and gentlemen of the Senate. I certainly rise to support the resolution that’s brought forth by the good Senator. Between Senator McCaslin and Senator Deccio, I knew if one spoke the other one would be speaking afterwards. It was really a pleasure to have served on the Health Care committee with the Senator. I said to him once, ‘Senator, how did you happen to get your name all over everything in Yakima. Tell me how you did it.’ He actually, I said, ‘Then you are Mister Yakima.’ For the past thirteen years we served together on the Health Care committee. Alex, you were so tenacious. I had the opportunity to see the action between you and the great Senator from the Twenty-Seventh District who preceded Senator Regala. As a new Senator on the committee and sitting there and seeing the action between the two, sometimes I would cringe. Two tenacious senators, senator you did a great job. You have left a legacy and I respect you for that. There were moments with your temperament but who does not have that and, of course, as you are now in retirement I don’t think retirement is for the Senator at all. I am sure he will be working. He did a great job. I hope all goes well with you and your wife as you continue to do what you like to do best and I think to be involved in your community. Was a pleasure to be able to serve with the Senator.”

REMARKS BY SENATOR PARLETTE

Senator Parlette: “Thank you Mr. President. I too rise in support of this resolution. I had the privilege to know about Senator Deccio from my predecessor, Senator George Sellar. He always told me about the three musketeers which were: Senator Deccio, Senator Sellar and Senator McCaslin. So, I heard these stories before I even knew Senator Deccio. Then I had the privilege to serve in the House of Representatives and be on the Health Care committee and Senator Deccio was over here. Well, I will never forget the first year we passed a major piece of legislation out of the House of Representatives on nursing home funding. Working closely with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and it passed one-hundred percent out of the House of Representatives. However, testifying in front of the Senate Health Care committee with one of my colleagues, actually three from the House, it was obvious that we had done something wrong. Senator Deccio with his questions and his mannerisms obviously made us understand whatever we did it wasn’t quite up to the standards that we were suppose to do. So, long story short, we later worked that out. Bottom line, I have learned so much from Senator Deccio. He had the ability to zero in on the bottom line at the beginning of a health care hearing. He also had the ability to get you totally off the subject and some how a bill would die and I think he planned that. So, Alex, we’ve all learned a lot and we miss you and we do wish you good health to you and Lucille. Thank you very much.”

REMARKS BY SENATOR RASMUSSEN

Senator Rasmussen: “Thank you Mr. President. I too would like to support this resolution. Senator Deccio is one of the sweetest, nicest people I know and I’m sorry that the good Senator from the Fourth District. He really tops you. He served kind of a role model, but I remember when I came over to the Senate there was a Senator 'Slim' Rasmussen and he said, 'You be careful.' He said, 'You watch Senator McCaslin, Senator Deccio and Senator Sellar; and he said, 'You watch them because those are three really wonderful, powerful people that really care.' Senator Deccio and I became friends because well, we share a lot of the same things. We share a lot of the same faith and he’s just a fine, good man and I want tell him 'thank you' for his service to the Senate and to his service to all the people to the State of Washington. He’s a really a wonderful, sweet person and I love him dearly.”

REMARKS BY SENATOR KEISER

Senator Keiser: “Mr. President, it gives me real pleasure to stand and speak in support of this resolution to honor my colleague and my dear friend, Senator Alex Deccio. You know, I’m still a newbie here in the Senate and when I joined the Senate Health and Long Term Care committee, Alex was the Chair and did my jaw drop. What an awesome chair. He had that committee in his control and he was passionate about the issues. He taught me so much. I learned the ropes at his right arm and it has been a real transition for that committee, the Health and Long Term Care committee in the Senate to not have the institutional memory and the experience of either Senator Pat Thibaudeau or Senator Alex Deccio this year. I often look back in fond remembrance and one of the things, in the twenty-eight years he worked in this body he achieved so much. Its sets forth such a standard for all of us to try and match. I’m not sure about the twenty-eight years but consider what, he was advocate for the developmentally disabled and made sure that they were treated the whole community with respect and fairness and consideration. He was passionate about the people of his own district and made sure that his district got the attention that it deserved. He was also one of the very first champions for school nurses and for funding for school nurses, a vital, vital part of our school system and of our health system. He shepherded the Omnibus Aids bill through the Legislature two decades ago. Two decades, we were a leader in the entire nation and it was because of his passion, his legislative acumen and his wonderful ability to work across the aisle that this happened. He was one of the fathers of the Basic Health Plan. He helped give birth to this fundamental program of health services for the citizens of our state. His accomplishments are just legion and I am in awe. Finally, I just have to say, one of the best things about Alex he reminded me of my dad. My dad was an insurance agent, my dad was a small business owner, my dad was a World War II Vet. Alex and my dad had a lot in common. I learned a lot from both of them. Thank you very much for this resolution.”

REMARKS BY SENATOR PRENTICE

Senator Prentice: “Thank you Mr. President. Just knowing Senator Deccio isn’t going to be back does bring a lot of heart ache. He and I worked together on the issue of farm worker housing and I’d been, I’m sure he considered meddling in his district. He said, ‘You people from Seattle just mind your own business; and I said ‘If you’d ever show any interest maybe I’d butt out! and he said ‘Well, I’m interested.’ I said ‘Good I’m butting out.’ He said, ‘Oh no you're not’. From then on he and I worked farm worker housing. The way we looked at it was, if this is such a terrible problem why haven’t we solved it? We kept peeling away the layers, the barriers in the way. I would hope that we always work that way because we would understand and listen to the same thing. We didn’t attack it from different points of view. We wanted to solve the problem. I think we worked on it about five years and it took that long because it was a difficult problem but to work with somebody like that. He and I always said, ‘When you had a couple of hot-headed Latins working on something we were going to see that it got done,’ and eventually we did. It was one of the most important things I think the two of us did here. Certainly meant a lot to both of us. We learned how to work together and I’ll tell you, he was a hot-headed Latin, not nearly as calm as I am. Thanks.”

REMARKS BY SENATOR CLEMENTS

Senator Clements: “Thank you Mr. President and to the body. As you well know I probably have to try to fill shoes that I’ll never fill. Senator McCaslin, I want to thank you for this. An update, I talked to Alex on Saturday. He’s recovering from back surgery very well. There’s going to be a celebration in our community, Mr. President, on February 10. I’m going to go home. I also want you to know that I, not knowing all my friends on the other side of the aisle, I said, ‘Alex, you know, you always reached across the other side and I have no idea how a lot of these members how effective they are and what they do. So he ranked them for me. So if you don’t mind. The truth is he loved this whole body and mentored me from 1994. At times he was better to me than my own father. I like to tell stories and the one story where I really got to know Alex, he has the charm and the ability here to get things in the capital budget in three weeks. Then he’d march over to the House where my good seat, Mary Skinner and I served for twelve years and say, ‘Well, Jim, here’s what I got in the Senate, now just get this in the House.’ It was, the first year that I served, I didn’t know anything about capital budget. I didn’t know any way to run the trap line. So Mary and I were put in the spot. We were trying to get through the Chair of the capital budget. Trying to explain to him that the hotel-motel tax, the expansion of our conversion center was absolute necessity and some of you understand the dynamics of that issue. Well, we weren’t making any progress. Alex was outside the caucus room. We were going to take a major vote on this particular issue the capital budget and I didn’t quite know what to do but a Representative said that he knew very well that the Chair of that budget could be persuaded. I said, ‘What do we need to do?’ He said, ‘You have Representative Skinner go back into the caucus and start bawling her eyes out and you stand up and say, 'Mr. Chairman, we just always eat our own.’ At the end of the day we got it and we'd walked out. And I learned one thing. Real brief you don’t, you never tease Alex Deccio. I walked out and Alex said, ‘How’d it go.’ I said, 'Alex I lost the fish, I had it right up to the boat and it ran away.’ He went straight in the air. The Italian temper, you what! I said 'Alex I’m teasing you, we got it.’ Pats me on the cheek, 'Good boy, took off, but for me a man that mentored me, a great man for the district that served, I don’t know how he served so long. Mr. President, it is a great privilege today to honor a man that I respect, a great Senator from the Fourteenth District and some of my constituents, this probably isn’t proper from a college where my kids went to school are here and I couldn’t be more pleased. I’ll end on this, I was suppose to have gifts for the whole body before I spoke. I have them and they’ll be distributed in the most proper way the next time. I want you to know, Senator Franklin, he specially told me how gracious and kind a Senator you were and I say this to make the other people insanely jealous.”

REMARKS BY SENATOR BROWN

Senator Brown: “Thank you Mr. President. I’ll try to do this very briefly but very supportive of this resolution. I’ve just got to say, I will miss the comradery of Senator Deccio and Senator McCaslin and the humor that they brought to the floor. I'd also like to add that the good lady, Senator Franklin, called him 'tenacious' but Alex you're stubborn. That means when you’re on the same side you love and when you're on the other side, it’s frustrating. You will be very missed by the Senate.”

REMARKS BY SENATOR HONEYFORD

Senator Honeyford: “Thank you Mr. President. I too rise in support of this resolution. Alex and I shared the same district or boundaries for twelve years and no, ten years I guess, ya twelve, and we shared a lot of common causes and so that’s when I really got to know him. I think that he serves as a great example for us, his thoughtfulness, his determination and pursuing the legislation that was good for his district and for the state. The other thing that I really appreciated about him was that when he gave me his word I could take that to the bank and I knew that there wasn’t any change in Alex. He was a very loyal man and so I really appreciate that. I am going to miss him, I feel very honored that I count him as a friend. So Alex, God Bless you and your retirement and you and Lucille have a great time.”

      The President declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8608.

      The motion by Senator McCaslin carried and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

MOTION

      On motion of Senator McCaslin the remarks on Senate Resolution No. 8608 were spread upon the Journal.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

President Owen: “The President would like to acknowledge a very important date today. It is the birthday of Senator Honeyford. Happy Birthday Senator Honeyford.”

MOTION

At 10:30 a.m., on motion of Senator Eide, the Senate was declared to be at ease for the purpose of Joint Session in the House of Representatives.

JOINT SESSION

      The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding): "It is our privilege to host the Medal of Valor and Medal of Merit ceremonies. We welcome you, President Owen, our colleagues from the Senate and all other guests who are with us today. It is now my pleasure to call upon President of the Senate Brad Owen to preside over the Joint Session."

      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.

APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE

      The President appointed a special committee to escort the Statewide Elected Officials and Supreme Court Justices to the House Chamber: Representatives Ahern, Linville, McCoy and Walsh, Senators Fraser, Hobbs, Parlette and Schoesler.

APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE

      The President appointed a special committee to advise Her Excellency, Governor Christine Gregoire the Joint Session was assembled and escort her to the House Chamber: Representatives Green and Ross, Senators Franklin and Pflug.

APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE

      The President appointed a special committee to escort the Medal of Valor to the House Chamber: Representatives Ericks and Pearson, and Senators Roach and Stevens.

APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE

      The President appointed a special committee to escort the Medal of Honor to the House Chamber: Representatives Alexander and Roberts, and Senators Kauffman and McAuliffe.

      The Statewide Elected Officials arrived and were escorted to the Rostrum. The President introduced Secretary of State Sam Reed; Attorney General Rob McKenna; Insurance Commissioner Mike Kriedler; and Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland.

      The Supreme Court Justices arrived and were escorted to the Rostrum. The President introduced Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, Justice Charles W. Johnson; Justice Barbara A. Madsen; Justice Richard B. Sanders; Justice Bobbe Bridge; Justice Susan Owens; Justice Mary Fairhurst; and Justice Jim Johnson. Chief Justice Alexander was escorted to the Rostrum.

      Her Excellency Governor Christine Gregoire and Mike Gregoire arrived and were escorted to the Rostrum.

      The Medal of Valor honorees arrived and were escorted to the Rostrum. The President introduced Timothy Bourasaw, Rick Bowers, Edward D. Marsette and Alana Schutt.

      The Medal of Merit honorees arrived and were escorted to the Rostrum. The President introduced Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, Mr. Dale Chihuly, Dr. Linda Horowicz (on behalf of Dr. Linda Buck) and Daniel J. Evans.

INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS

      The President introduced the Consul General of Azerbaijan, Mr. Elin Sulelymanov, his wife Lala Abdurahimova and Consul Elman Abdullayev. In November 2005, Consul General Suleymanov was appointed as Azerbaijan's first consul general to Los Angeles. Washington falls under his jurisdiction.

      The Flags were escorted to the Rostrum by the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard. The President led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem was sung by Representative Maureen Walsh. The prayer was offered by Sergeant Charles LeBlanc, Washington State Patrol.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

      President Owen: "The purpose of the joint session is to present Medal of Valor and Medal of Merit awards, honoring eight deserving citizens. It is now my pleasure to present Governor Christine Gregoire."

REMARKS BY GOVERNOR GREGOIRE

      Governor Gregoire: "Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Secretary Reed and Chief Justice Alexander, members of our Washington State Legislature, ladies and gentlemen. We gather today to honor several of our fellow Washingtonians who have made great contributions to not only the State of Washington but to our Nation as well.

      Our awardees of the Medal of Valor have shown tremendous bravery of moments of grave danger. In a time when many people feel isolated within their communities, when some would feel it was just easier to look the other way, these individuals looked directly into the face of danger. They saw strangers facing great harm and they were willing to put their lives at risk – the ultimate act of selflessness.

      Our awardees of the Medal of Merit have made very valuable contributions to our State and to our Nation scientific, cultural and political landscapes. They have pursued careers that not only captured their hearts and their minds, but they have yielded tremendous benefits to our State and to the country. They have been trailblazers in their fields and they have been fine examples of the entrepreneurial spirit that is essential as a part of our State's cultural.

      So, Mike and I want to congratulate each of the individuals here. To offer them a heartfelt thank you on behalf of all of the citizens of our State – for their bravery and for their service to others. You have shown us true heroism. You have shown us what real public service is all about. You have made our State very proud. We are proud of you but more importantly everyone in our State – every one of the six and half million people are very proud of you and are very proud to call you a fellow Washingtonian.

      I am deeply honored today to present these medals to such deserving Washingtonians. They are true examples of the Washington way – going above and beyond to serve and help our neighbors and our fellow citizens.

      Congratulations to each of you."

REMARKS BY SECRETARY OF STATE

      Secretary of State Sam Reed: "It is indeed an honor and privilege that the Legislature has placed the Medals of Merit and Valor programs into the Office of Secretary of State. I am grateful to all of you attending today, and to the families and friends of the recipients.

      The medals are awarded by a committee consisting of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court. The Speaker Pro Tempore represented the Speaker and did an outstanding job. I want to thank the four of them because they took very strong personal interest in this and helped make this happen.

      Along with choosing the recipients, the committee also chose the design and layout of both medals and the accompanying certificates. Both the Medal of Valor and the Medal of Merit were produced and designed by the Washington State-based Territorial Mint in Auburn using guidelines laid out in the Revised Code of Washington. They are of the highest quality and are a testament to the professionalism and attention, the detail of the people who made them.

      The Medal of Valor is pure silver and displays the seal of the state of Washington, surrounded by a raised laurel wreath and suspended from a silver bar device inscribed "For Valor". 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 Medal of Merit is solid bronze displaying the seal of

the state of Washington, surrounded by a raised laurel wreath and suspended from a ring attached by a dark green ribbon. The reverse of the decoration within the raised laurel wreath is inscribed with the recipient's name and the words: "For exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services to the people and state of Washington."

      The certificate accompanying the medals were signed by each committee member representing three branches of our government: Executive, Judicial and Legislative. It is my honor as the Keeper of the State Seal to affix the Seal of the State of Washington along with my signature to each of the certificates. Life the medals, each certificate bears the name of the recipient and why they have been awarded this prestige honor.

      I thank all of those who made this auspicious occasion possible. The staff of the Secretary of State's Office particularly Laurel Juergens and Patrick McDonald; the Legislative staff particularly Patty Moore and to get the staff of the House and Senate to cooperate – I really appreciate the efforts that were made. And a special thanks to all of those who had a hand in making the event a success from the Washington State Patrol and the State Capitol Tours Office.

      I especially want to thank and congratulate each recipient being nominated and chosen for this honor.

      Finally I thank their family and their friends who traveled to Olympia to be here today for their support and consideration.

      Thank you very much."

MEDAL OF VALOR

      Mr. President: "The Medal of Valor is awarded to any person who has saved, or attempted to save, the life of another at the risk of serious injury or death to himself or herself."

ALANA SCHUTT

      Speaker Pro Tempore Lovick: "On a sunny day in May, Alana Schutt looked out the window of her Lynnwood home and saw three men in trouble on a sinking paddleboat on Martha Lake. She jumped into action before emergency services arrived, launching her family's paddleboat and making her way to the fishermen. One man who couldn't swim was on top of the boat. The other men were in the water. Schutt pulled two men aboard her paddleboat. While encouraging the third man to swim with her, she push the boat to shore. The quick action of the 22 year old Schutt is credited with saving the lives of the three men."

      The Governor presented Ms. Schutt with the Medal of Valor and certificate.

      Alana Schutt: "Thank you. I am honored to receive this medal on behalf of all the other Washingtonians who have saved the lives of others.

      Today I want to share with you the story of a man I met at the Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross's "real heroes" breakfast in December. During a routine at work on November 6, 2006, John Hickman of Granite Falls received a call from his wife regarding the rising flood waters near their home. John responded immediately by during home to help out his friends and neighbors. By the time he arrived home, many people were wading through water up to five feet deep trying to get to dry land. John began driving his big red dump truck through the water picking up people who were strained. On his first trip, he picked up 47 people. As the water continued to rise, John made a second and a third trip. On the third trip, the water had risen above the truck's wheels and had reached the gas tank. The truck stalled completely. At that point a search and rescue team had to pick up John and the others who were strained. In all John rescued somewhere between seventy and ninety people.

      My reason for sharing John's story with you today is that the most important thing to make is the decision to react in a crisis situation. John's decision to take action in his big red truck saved the lives of many. If I hadn't have made the decision to help the men whose boat was sinking, a man would have drowned. John and I are just two ordinary people who have made the most important decision.

      I want to thank Battalion Chief Gary Kestle, Sheriff Rick Bart, Representative John Lovick and Representative Hans Dunshee for nominating me for this award. I would also like to thank the Medal of Valor committee, Governor Christine Gregoire, Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander for presenting me with this award. In addition, I would like to thank my parents who raised me to be responsible and sensible, and my family and friends who support me and mean so much to me.

      I leave you today with one last thought. When you least expect it, you may be caught in the middle of a crisis situation. I urge you to make the right decision, the decision to take action. People's lives are at stake and every second counts.

      Thank you."

TIMOTHY BOURASAW & RICK BOWERS

      Chief Justice Alexander: "Timothy Bourasaw ran from his house when he heard the sound of a head-on collision involving a van and a sports utility vehicle on State Route 530 near Arlington. Both vehicles were in flames. Bourasaw and another volunteer arrived at the scene in February before the emergency services did, and pulled one of the drivers from his vehicle and rolling the man in the grass to put out the flames. Bourasaw played a critical role in saving the lives of Tony Scappini and Marchello Galvez.

      Rick Bowers was the other Good Samaritan who joined Timothy Bourasaw in aiding the victims of a head-on collision and care fire in February on State Route 530 near Arlington. Bowers was driving on SR 530 and stopped to render aid before fire and emergency services arrived. Bowers helped pull one of the drivers from his vehicle, the driver's hair and clothing burning, and cut a seat belt to free an unconscious passenger from a car that was quickly engulfed in flames seconds later. His quick action is credited with saving the lives of Tony Scappini and Marchello Galvez."

      The Governor presented Mr. Bourasaw and Mr. Bowers with the Medal of Valor and certificate.

      Mr. Bourasaw: "All I can say is thank you. I'm not much on speeches. It is deeply appreciated and it is quite an honor. Thank you."

      Mr. Bowers: "I want to thank you for having me here. I am really honored to be here. I want to accept this medal in honor of the Lord, Jesus Christ my Savior for having me there at that time to save these individuals. Also, there was a half dozen other civilians that helped us out. Once we got the victims out of the vehicle, there was a nurse who helped one of the individuals who was having seizures. There were other people who were comforting everyone.

      I want to thank the Washington State Patrol, the Arlington Police Department and the Arlington Fire Department. I want them to be involved also. Thank you."

EDWARD D. MARSETTE

      Mr. President: "On March 15, the first day of his spring break from the University of Washington, Edward D. Marsette was awakened at 1 a.m. by the sound of a car crash outside his home on the Muckleshoot reservation near Auburn. Wearing only his night clothes, Marsette rushed down an embankment to the automobile, which had flipped over, smashed into a utility pole and burst into flames. He pulled four of the six people in the vehicle to safety. Marsette ignored his own burn injuries in the effort to save the 18 year old drive and three 15 year old passengers. When medical personnel arrived on the scene, Marsette asked them to treat the crash victims before his own burn wounds. Although Marsette could not save two of the victims in the car, the lives of the four that Marsette pulled to safety are credited to his quick thinking and bravery."

      The Governor presented Mr. Marsette with the Medal of Valor and certificate.

      Edward Marsette: "Thank you very much on behalf of my family and all my relatives that stand beside us. This has been a very trying year. For me to get over something like this has been a tough chore but I'm dealing with it. And on behalf of all these great honors, it is really astounding that people go out of their way and do things like this and receive awards and get recognition. There are other people out there like our service men. I would really like to recognize those men and women that are overseas and have to put their lives on the line each and every day. Just doing one thing like this, it's just one day that I've done, and they have to count many days over there. I have had several relatives who have spent years in the service – there are not very happy stories when they come back.

      On behalf of this great honor, I would like to thank everyone of you once again, the House and Senate and the Governor Gregoire. I would also like to thank Senator Pam Roach, Representative Dan Roach and Peter B. Lewis for giving me this nomination and serving this Medal of Valor.

      Thank you for much folks."

      Mr. President: "Thank you all for your courage and for your example. We are proud to honor you today."

MEDAL OF MERIT

      Mr. President: " The Medal of Merit is to honor those who have been distinguished by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding service to the people and State of Washington."

DR. LINDA B. BUCK

      Mr. President: "Nobel Prize Laureate and Seattle native, Dr. Linda Buck began her love for the sciences at the University of Washington, studying psychology. She postponed her graduation in the field, however, to study immunology, and graduated in 1975 with degrees in both psychology and immunology.

      Dr. Buck has been studying the olfactory system – the neural system that relays signals to the brain, triggering the brain to identify, discriminate between thousands of odors, perceive and remember the smell. Buck’s work earned her the 2004 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Her work is foundational to the understanding of relaying sensory signals from the receptor to the central nervous system.

      After 11 years teaching at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Buck joined the research team at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle in 2002. She is also an affiliate professor at the University of Washington and an associate at the Neurosciences Research Program at the Neurosciences Institute.

      In addition to her Nobel Prize, Buck has also been commended by more than twenty-one professional organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, the University of Washington, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center."

      The Governor presented Dr. Horowicz, on behalf of Dr. Buck, with the Medal of Merit and certificate.

      Dr. Linda Horowicz (on behalf of Dr. Linda Buck): "It is my honor to be here today representing Dr. Linda Buck. I've had the pleasure to conduct research with her for a number of years. As you know, her travel schedule prevents her from accepting this personally and on her behalf I would like to thank you for the State's Medal of Merit.

      Dr. Buck has prepared a few words and I would like to now share them with all of you.

      Good morning. First of all, I want to apologize for being unable to be with you today. I thank my colleague Dr. Lisa Horowicz for accepting this honor on my behalf and I thank all of you for extending this remarkable award to me. I am humbled to be recognized by the State of Washington and to stand in the company of Dale Chihuly, Dan Evans and Bonnie Dunbar.

      In 2002, I returned to my home state of Washington from Harvard to conduct my research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. I love doing science and feel very fortunate to able to conduct my research at the Hutchinson Center in Washington State - both entities that understand the importance of biomedical research and that work to support and promote its future. Through my research I was able to identify a family of genes that are central to the olfactory; system – a complex network that governs our sense of smell. The genes are blueprints for a family of odor receptor proteins in the nose. These proteins work in different combinations so that the brain can identify a nearly infinite array of odors much like the letters of the alphabet are combined to form different words.

      Each odor sensing cell in the nose possesses only one type of odor receptor and each receptor can detect a limited number of odor substances. Using this knowledge, we have determined how the identities of different odors are perceived by the brain to allow us to sense distinct odors. We have been able to uncover sensory maps in parts of the brain known as the olfactory bulb and the olfactory cortex that are virtually identical in all individuals; providing an explanation for similarities and odor perception in different individuals. This work has also shed light on way chemicals with similar structures have different smells and why mixing chemicals together can create novel odor perceptions.

      The Hutchinson Center is a very unusual place to conduct scientific research. There is a desire and a devotion to doing excellent science and a commitment to understanding basic biology. It is from the fundamental mechanisms of how life works that we make the greatest advances in treating disease. However, we can't work in isolation. All of us at the Hutchinson Center benefit from the fact that our State recognizes the importance of biomedical research and undertakes efforts to promote and strengthen our endeavors.

      Thank you again for the State's Medal of Merit. I appreciate the personal recognition but also that in recognizing me, that other scientists know that Washington values biomedical research and the contributions it makes to our world."

DALE CHIHULY

      Speaker Pro Tempore: "Lauded for revolutionizing the studio glass movement in the 1970s, Dale Chihuly’s glass art is internationally renowned. His artistic inspiration continues to come from the Pacific Northwest, notably the natural surroundings of his hometown, Tacoma, Washington.

      A student of interior and architectural design at the University of Washington, Chihuly left Washington to pursue graduate study at the University of Wisconsin’s hot glass program, the first of its kind in the United States. He went on to study in the ceramics program at the Rhode Island School of Design where he later established its well-known glass art program. Returning to his roots in 1983, Chihuly came back to the Northwest and began the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, now the premier international school for glass artists.

      In 1984, he was award the Visual Arts Award from the American Council for the Arts and received the first three Governor Arts Awards. Three years later, in 1987, Chihuly finished Puget Sound forms for the Seattle Aquarium, and donated a permanent exhibit collection at the Tacoma Art Museum in memory of his father and brother. Because Chihuly’s inspiration comes from the Northwest, he is committed to promoting the arts in this area.

      In 1993, the University of Washington awarded him the institution’s most prestigious honor, Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus. That same year, Chihuly partnered with the Tacoma Public School District to create an arts program for at-risk youths, a program he still continues to support and mentor today."

      The Governor presented Mr. Chihuly with the Medal of Merit and certificate.

      Dale Chihuly: "Thank you for this honor."

DR. BONNIE DUNBAR

      Chief Justice Alexander: "A Washington native and graduate of the University of Washington, astronaut Dr. Bonnie Dunbar pursued a career in engineering and science during a time when women in the field were few and far between. Dunbar has worked for over 30 years in the aerospace industry. During her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington, Dr. Dunbar helped develop ceramic tiles used to coat space shuttles, equipping the shuttle for re-entry into the atmosphere. From there, her illustrious career in the aerospace industry flourished.

      Dr. Dunbar has flown in five space flights, logging more than 50 days in space. She also has thirty years as a licensed private pilot, flying more than 1,000 hours in NASA’s T-38 jets. In addition to her flight time, Dr. Dunbar has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston. She is also an accomplished and inspirational public speaker.

      Currently, Dr. Dunbar is the president and CEO of the Museum of Flight in Seattle, where she is developing youth education programs to inspire youth to enter the science industry. Dunbar uses her own experience and determination as an example for youth. Prior to her appointment at the Museum of Flight in 2005, Dunbar served as the Assistant Director for University Research and Affairs at the Johnson Space center.

      Dunbar has been commended by several professional agencies including NASA, the Museum of Flight, the University of Washington, American Ceramic Society, and the National Academy of Engineers."

      The Governor presented Dr. Dunbar with the Medal of Merit and certificate.

      Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar: "I am deeply honored and deeply humbled by this recognition. I am standing up here with an invisible team around me starting from a grandfather who immigrated from Scotland and believed anything was attainable by coming to this country. Continuing with two parents who after World War II homesteaded in Washington State in the Yakima Valley and impressed upon me as the oldest of four kids that anything was attainable if you are willing to work for it and study hard. I'm grateful to my first principal, Mr. Stan Snow, for Mr. Eidd, for Sally Sarise, Mr. Jacobsen, my trig teacher, for Mr. Anderson, physics and chemistry teacher, for Doc Muller, my first professor at the University of Washington and a host of other people who enabled this to happen.

      I've had a wonderful career in aerospace and research and I'm delighted to be back in the State of Washington and be back home for the next chapter. That chapter is something else my parents instilled in me – at some point in your life it is important to give back. And so at the Museum of Flight we are investing in our youth through our education programs and hopefully will produce a few more engineers and scientists, and promote our Washington Aerospace Scholars Program across the State.

      For this, I thank you, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Speaker, legislators and the wonderful people who have been award the Medal of Valor and my colleagues here for the Medal of Merit. Thank you very much."

DANIEL J. EVANS

      Mr. President: "A graduate of University of Washington, former Governor and U.S. Senator Daniel J. Evans is a long-time public servant. Evans is recognized as one of the most distinguished leaders in the history of Washington State, and a study at the University of Michigan named him one of the ten most outstanding governors of the 20th century.

      His public leadership began as a State Representative in 1956, and after serving eight years in the State House of Representatives, Evans was elected governor in 1964. The youngest governor in the history of Washington State, Evans focused on higher education. His leadership led to the creation of the community college system and The Evergreen State College.

      Evans also charted new waters during a special session on environmental issues, when he led Washington State to create the nation’s first Department of Ecology. Along with this, Evans broke new legislative frontiers, passing the Washington State Environmental Policy Act in 1971, the first framework enabling state government to address how the environment is impacted by decision making.

      Serving three terms as governor, Evans declined to run for a fourth term and became President of the Evergreen State College in 1977, where he provided critical leadership for the institution’s "alternative curriculum."

      Evans was appointed to the U.S. Senate when Henry "Scoop" Jackson died in 1983, and won a special election to serve the remainder of Senator Jackson’s term. Evans retired from politics in 1989, and returned to the Northwest.

      Following Evans’ distinguished political career, he created his own consulting firm, Daniel J. Evans Associates. He served from 1993 to 2005 on the University of Washington’s Board of Regents, acting as Vice-President (1995-1996) and President (1996-1997).

      Evans has been active on several corporate and civic boards, including COSTCO, Initiative for Global Development and the Nature Conservancy."

      The Governor presented the Honorable Daniel J. Evans with the Medal of Merit and certificate.

      Daniel J. Evans: "What an honor it is to be on this platform with the winners of the Medal of Valor and my colleagues, the Medal of Merit. I might note in passing that all four of the Medal of Merit winners are University of Washington Huskies.

      First let me introduce my family, the former First Lady of the State of Washington, my first lady always, my wife, Nancy Evans. My brother Roger Evans, who has been a bulwork of strength during my campaigns and my time in office. My son, Dan who was four and a half when we moved into the Mansion and my three grandchildren, Eloise, Isobelle and Jackson.

      Fifty years ago this month, I stood in this Chamber way back in that corner, and took the oath of office for my first term as a member of this House of Representatives. It was a great thrill and my time here was interesting, provocative and rewarding. I remember with greater clarity many of the things that happened in this Chamber their in my other responsibilities in politics. It was an interesting time. Half a dozen of my colleagues were born before Washington reached statehood. It was that long ago. Spittoons still stood by each of the desks in this Chamber and some of them were still used. We had no staff. Our office was our desk here in the Chambers. Pay was $100 a month. We met every other year. And the high tech method of communications – the urgent method – from citizen to their legislator was by telegram. Through that system, a modern Washington was built.

      There were great times. I remember some of the incidents with great clarity particularly one time when we then in the minority, were harassing the majority – that's what the minority is supposed to do – and the majority was trying to carry on a bill for the Governor. They weren't very happy about pushing it but were inclined to do it. We were debating this bill with great energy. Finally Speaker O'Brien slammed his gavel down and said "It is time we kept the debate on this bill on a high plain." I jumped up from that seat right down there where the Gentleman from the 20^th District sits now and said, "Mr. Speaker, how can we conduct the bill such a high plain when it is such a low bill?" With that John O'Brien slammed his gavel down, the head came off the gavel and spun clear down into the audience almost at my feet. As you might guess, that broke the tension and as he walked off the podium, there was that rye little smile on his face. He showed who was still boss.

      It is interesting that that legislature, meeting every other year with little in the way of support and staff, really did build modern Washington. The Washington we all enjoy today. I guess the only real message of importance I want to leave with all of you, my former colleagues, is that you too will build not just a Washington for today. The budget you pass and the bills you pass, won't affect us just this year but you are building the Washington that we will enjoy a generation for now. I hope you keep that in mind because you have a great responsibility not just for us and our generation but for our children's and certainty for my own grandchildren and your grandchildren's generation.

      It is a great privilege for me to stand in front of you one more time. I was tempted originally to give another keynote State of the State address but I decided to leave that to Governor Gregoire.

      Thank you."

      Mr. President: "The State of Washington is truly blessed by its people and exceptionally so by the ones we have had an opportunity to recognize here today. We truly appreciate what you have done for the State of Washington.

      It is my pleasure to invite everyone to the state reception room after session to greet the honorees and their guests."

      The Sergeant at Arms escorted the Medal of Valor and Medal of Honor recipients from the Chambers.

      The Sergeant at Arms escorted the Governor and Mr. Gregoire from the Chambers.

      The Sergeant at Arms escorted the Statewide Elected Officials from the Chambers.

      The Sergeant at Arms escorted Chief Justice Gerry Alexander and the Supreme Court Justices from the Chambers.

MOTION

      On motion of Representative Kessler, the Joint Session was dissolved.

The Senate was called to order at 11:59 p.m. by President Owen.

MOTION

      At 12:00 p.m., on motion of Senator Eide, the Senate adjourned until 12:00 noon, Thursday, January 25, 2007.

BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate

THOMAS HOEMANN, Secretary of the Senate