Helen Sommers: An Oral History

Helen’s Final Day of Her Legislature Career!
Sen . Karen Keiser D-33rd District): “Thank you
Helen, I wouldn’t be here
today without you recruiting
me back in the 1990s. As
many other members have
mentioned, they too are here
because of you. We’ve had
the amount of success that
we’ve had because you’ve
given us your mentorship
and your guidance along the
Sen. Karen Keiser way. So all I can say is Thank
You, Helen!”
Sen . Rosa Franklin (D-29 th District): “A few of the
young guys in the back of the
chamber mentioned they were
born when you were elected!
But you brought them wisdom,
and with your wisdom, you
taught them. You, in-turn,
have carved a trail — one of
integrity and astute budget
writing; One who examines
every part of the budget very
Senate President
Pro Tempore
Rosa Franklin
closely. While I have never
sat on Appropriations, and
while I’ve only served one
term with you in the House, one thing I’ve done is
I’ve watched you very, very closely.
I’d often watch the Appropriations Committee
on TVW when I’d go to my room, my second
home when I was in Olympia. I’d watch how you
conduct yourself, and, your attitude and your caring
in your 36 years of service to the people of the
state of Washington. Your fingerprint has been
on every budget. I would say to you, you are not
retiring; you’re moving on to something more. I
really appreciate the time of service you have given
this state.”
pg. 91
Sen . Margarita Prentice (D-11 th District): “My favorite
moment that told me
everything I needed to know
about Helen Sommers was
my first term in the House.
The Speaker wasn’t getting
something out of the Capital
Budget and I remember he
yelled to her, “Helen, this is
not your money that you’re
spending!” And, she said,
Sen. Margarita Prentice
“Oh, I thought it was.” He
had the same frustrations a
lot of people had. She could say “no” real easy
when it was the right thing to do!
But I owe you a very personal vote of gratitude.
You have helped me so much to an extent that
other people here don’t even know about. One of
the things you and I decided when I got this job to
chair Ways & Means, was the two of us would meet
every Friday. Helen and I needed to talk about what
our respective Houses and our respective caucuses
had to say. One reason we did so much for Special
Education, was because I made it clear ‘this was
not a caucus priority, it was a Senate priority.’ She
conveyed that to the other chamber. We also talked a
couple times in a day – what about this? We haven’t
had the rancor that you sometimes have.
Your concern about kids assimilating into this
country, and the ability to learn other languages
is one of the things that convey your faith in our
ability to absorb new people into this country. I’ve
admired that so much about you. I can only thank
you over and over!”
Lt . Gov . Brad Owen, the President of the Senate:
“We’re incredibly honored to
have Representative Sommers
with us today. It’s not the
place of the President to make
a speech, but he certainly
wanted to share with you how
much he appreciates you. He
believes Helen to be one of
the most dedicated, caring,
one of the brightest people to
Lt. Gov. Brad Owen
(Senate President)
ever serve in this process! As
well as the fact that when you