Helen Sommers: An Oral History

Helen’s Final Day of Her Legislature Career!
Speaker of the House Frank Chopp (D-43 rd District):
“About the time Helen started
in the Legislature (1972) I was
a student at U. of W. Think
about the numbers! Thirty-six
years of service; millions, and
millions of our fellow Washingtonians
have gone through
higher education in the state!
The greatest advocate higher
education has ever had in this
Speaker Frank Chopp
state is Helen Sommers. I am
a proud recipient of her ad-
vocacy over the years, having gone through U of
W myself. I want to Thank You, Helen, for all your
work for higher education! Millions have gone
through the process in our state and they all owe
you a debt of gratitude.
Resolution Adopted!”
Representative Helen Sommers (D-36 th District):
“There are many
things I could say,
but I want to make
a confession about
what I feel makes a
successful committee
meeting. It’s been
my long-standing
rule that unless there
is some laughter in
a committee meeting,
it is not a successful
one! I’ve never
confessed to that,
but I want to say I
Rep. Helen Sommers
& Speaker Frank Chopp
think I have an unbroken
record. There
has been some laughter in each and every committee
meeting. I now ask the committee chairs to think
about that because it makes a huge difference!
You’re overwhelming. What can I say? I was in
the Senate this morning, and I thought that was
too much. But this is way out of bounds! (laughter
& applause)
I appreciate your thoughts, I appreciate your friendship.
This is a wonderful institution. I’ve learned a
pg. 85
lot here. It’s a grand atmosphere; a grand building;
this place where we work I hope impresses us all.
Just one huge thank you for your support, your
kind words and all the good work that you do!”
(Applause – Standing Ovation. Cheers – for more
than three minutes!)