Biography

DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH:
10/5/44 - Ontario, Oregon

FAMILY:
Wife: Georgiann
Sons: Levin and Collin

EDUCATION:
B.A. University of Portland, 1966
M.A. University of Oregon, 1969
Ph.D. University of Oregon, 1979
Fulbright Fellow, London School of Economics (1972-1974)

EMPLOYMENT:
1989-Present –Secretary-Treasurer, United Food & Commercial Worker's Union, Local 81
1985-1989 - Labor Educator, Bates Vocational Technical Institute
1983 - Coordinator - Dislocated Worker program, United Way of Pierce County
1980-81 - Visiting Professor, Pacific Lutheran University
1976-79 - Instructor, University of Oregon

CURRENT HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:
Appropriations
Commerce and Labor – Chair
Finance
Select Committee on Pension Policy - Vice-Chair
Labor and Workforce Development Committee, National Conference of State Legislators - Immediate Past Chair

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
Pierce County Labor Council (AFL-CIO), delegate (present)
Trustee, Pierce County Community Services Agency
Visiting Committee Member, Harry Bridges Labor Studies Center

HONORS & AWARDS:
ASECC.UAW Blue Book Award (2008)
AFT Washington Legislative Award (2008)
Washington State School Retirees Association - Legislative Excellence Award (2007)
Robert Dugan, Distinguished Supporter of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies (2005)
Legislator of the Year - SEIU # 775 (2005)
2005 "Friends of SPEEA" Award - SPEEA (2005)
George Mastin Courage Award, Washington Federation of State Employees (2004)
Legislator of the Year, Washington State Labor Council (1993, 1998, 2002)
Legislator of the Year, Washington State Council of Police Officers (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)
Legislator of the Year, Washington State Nurses Association (2001)
Legislator of the Year, Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers (2001)
Legislator of the Year, Washington State Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Sprinklerfitters (2003)
Legislator of the Year, Washington State Association of Retired Teachers (2003)
Legislator of the Year, Washington Coalition for Tribal Self-Reliance (2003)
Legislator of the Year, William M. Factory Small Business Incubator (2002)
National Delegate, 1992, 1996, 2000 Democratic National Conventions
Honorary Firefighter of the Year Award, Washington State Council of Firefighters (1997)
Honorary Firefighter, Tacoma Firefighters Local #31 (1999)

YEARS IN HOUSE:
8th Term

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES:
Family-wage jobs
Education Funding
Criminal-justice reform
Affordable health care
World-class workforce training
Senior citizen issues
State veterans issues