[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)] [Senate] [Page S1336] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-25
Chamber: SENATE
Mrs. MURRAY: I rise today to honor and congratulate Mrs. Jeanne Kohl-Welles on her retirement following 30 years of work in elected office. Jeanne retires from Washington's King County Council, where she has served as vice chair of the council and chair of the committee of the whole and been an extraordinary asset to our State and the greater Seattle-King County region for the last 30 years. Under Jeanne's leadership, King County Council was able to address countless issues facing King County and its communities. From supporting our communities through the COVID pandemic by leveraging the 13 budgets she passed as budget chair, to leading the creation of the King County Regional Homeless Authority, Jeanne has been dauntless in facing down tough challenges, tackling complex problems head on to make meaningful progress for King County and its communities. Jeanne's devotion to King County and the State of Washington as a whole started long before her tenure on the county council. Jeanne spent over two decades in the Washington State Legislature, first in the house and then in the senate. For many of her 20 years in the Washington State Senate, Jeanne chaired the senate higher education and labor and commerce committees and led legislative efforts to legalize medical marijuana and same-sex marriage, tackle income and gender inequality, and address human trafficking and child sexual abuse. Before that, she was an early advocate for addressing hate crimes and homelessness in Seattle. A constant theme in Jeanne's work has been her tireless dedication to truly representing her constituents. Jeanne has organized many Women's History Month panels; expanded access to ballot drop boxes; implemented crucial investments in youth education; and worked with constituents countless times to introduce legislation that matters to them, like when she worked with middle-schoolers on legislation to regulate puppy- mills. Jeanne has shown a truly exceptional ability to champion what is important to those she represents. Whether it was pushing for the construction of the current stadium for our Seattle Seahawks, sponsoring legislation to make transit safe and available to all, or securing funding for the preservation of Washington State history--from Pike Place Market to the National Historic Landmark vessel S.S. Virginia--time and again, Jeanne has fought for the rights, needs, and histories of Washington State and King County communities. Being a woman in politics isn't always easy; when I first got to the Senate, there wasn't even a women's bathroom off the Senate floor. Every day, we are having to fight for our most basic rights, even as we advocate for all of our constituents. But every day, women like Jeanne are setting an example for young girls that with hard work, they can follow their dreams and make a real difference. Jeanne's retirement won't be a quiet one; she has plans to not only spend more time with her a family and travel, but also to pursue other passions. It has been a great privilege to work with Jeanne, a true trailblazer, over the last three decades. And it is my honor to thank her for her lifetime of dedicated service to people in King County, the State of Washington, and the entire country. I wish her the very best during her well-earned retirement.