Helen Sommers: An Oral History

STaTe RePReSeNTaTiVe
12th DiSTRiCT
ClYDe BallaRD
SPeakeR of THe HoUSe
State of
Washington
House of
Representatives
Statement from Speaker of the House Clyde Ballard
about working with Representative Helen Sommers
Speaker of the House
Clyde Ballard – 12th District
lEGISlATIVE OFFICE: Po BoX 40600, olYMPia, Wa 98504-0600 • 360-786-7999
Toll-fRee leGiSlaTiVe HoTliNe: 1-800-562-6000 • TDD: 1-800-635-9993
E-MAIl: ballard.clyde@leg.wa.gov
PRiNTeD oN ReCYCleD PaPeR
RUleS
ChAIrMAN
Helen Sommers is the type of person who always did a good job; not only for her own constituents,
but for all of Washington. I’d served in the House for 20 years, and she was there for 36, so I’ve
known her well during my career. She was smart, tough, and she didn’t appreciate people who
played games! She was always direct and to the point and she was fair.
When I was Speaker, she had a bill up and I voted for her bill. She came to me with a quizzical
look: “You voted for my bill!” she said. I told her it was a good bill. She was appreciative.
Once, I remember, I checked in on her when she was in negotiation with some gnarly people on
the budget. She was straight forward; she was strong and stood her ground! She was always direct
and didn’t put up with foolishness.
I think, had she not at times had pressure from her leadership, she would probably have been
‘more tight’ with the people’s money.
In the Appropriations Committee, she was the glue that held them together. She will go down
in history as someone who had a lifetime of success as a legislator. I enjoyed being around her and
I appreciated her honesty and her directness.