Washington House honors retiring members and long-serving staff with resolutions
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Summary
On the House floor, members paid tribute to retiring lawmakers and staff, adopting multiple resolutions honoring Rep. Steve Tharinger, Rep. Virginia 'Jenny' Graham and long-time broadcast coordinator John Sackass. Remarks highlighted their legislative service, committee work and contributions to the capital budget and communications.
The Washington State House of Representatives paused floor business to honor several retiring public servants and staff members, adopting resolutions and hearing extended tributes from colleagues.
Members rose to recognize Representative Steve Tharinger, whose career the Clerk summarized before colleagues from both sides of the aisle offered memories and praise. Representative Stonier described Tharinger’s work on rural health care and capital projects and recalled his sense of humor: "the care and passion that make life better in this state for every person who walks through a building funded by the capital budget" (Representative Stonier). Representative Steele and Representative Fitzgibbon highlighted Tharinger’s leadership in capital budget negotiations and his mentorship to newer members.
The House also adopted a resolution honoring Representative Virginia "Jenny" Graham. The Clerk noted Graham’s military service with the U.S. Army Reserve and a long career as a licensed cosmetologist; Representative Schmidt and others recalled her directness, preparation and service on the Community Safety Committee. Representative Goodman said Graham "has been a voice for victims" and commended her committee work (Representative Goodman).
Separately, the chamber read a resolution recognizing John Sackass for more than three decades as broadcast coordinator for the House Republican Caucus. Representative Abarneau and others described Sackass’s role connecting the legislature to local radio and praised his loyalty and work ethic. The Speaker read statements from former chiefs of staff and invited Sackass and his family to the rostrum; the House adopted the resolution by voice vote.
Each resolution was adopted on the floor when called: members voiced their assent and the Speaker declared the motions adopted. No formal roll-call tallies were recorded for the retirement resolutions in the transcript; floor action was by voice vote or unanimous consent where noted.
The chamber then returned to other business, including bill passages and final-day procedures.