Biography

Representative Dawn Morrell has lived in Puyallup for 24 years with her husband Jim, a retired Air Force pilot. After retirement, Jim received his teaching certificate from Pacific Lutheran University and taught at Clover Park Technical College for 10 years. He is now a math and science tutor. Dawn and Jim have been married for 40 years and have two children and five grandchildren. Their two children, Jereme and Jameson, attended Puyallup public schools and graduated from Rogers High School.

Dawn was elected to represent the 25th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives in November of 2002. Her legislative priorities include building a strong economy by investing in education, creating good paying jobs with benefits, and ensuring that affordable quality health care is available to every Washingtonian.

Dawn continues to work as a certified critical care Registered Nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup where she has worked since 1984.

EDUCATION
BS, Nursing (cum laude), University of Washington Tacoma
A.S., Nursing, Solano Community College
A.A., General Science, Solano Community College

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Critical Care Nurse, Good Samaritan Hospital, Puyallup
ASPO certified childbirth educator – taught in Hawaii, California and Washington
ICEA Hawaii and Washington State Coordinator

CURRENT LEGISLATIVE APPOINTMENTS
Leadership: Deputy Whip
Health Care and Wellness Committee, Vice Chair
Appropriations Committee
Select Committee on Environmental Health
Joint Select Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs
Chair, Joint Legislative and Executive Task Force on Long-Term Care Financing and Chronic Care Management
Rules Committee
State Council on Aging

PAST LEGISLATIVE APPOINTMENTS
Long Term Care Training Taskforce, Co-Chair
Nursing Home Financing Committee - Chair
Capital Budget Committee
Economic Development, Agriculture and Trade Committee
Joint Select Committee on Health Care Disparities, Co-Chair
Higher Education Committee
Higher Education Performance Contracts Work Group
Statewide Strategic Master Plan for Higher Education

STATE LEGISLATIVE SERVICE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL
National Conference of State Legislatures
Health Policy Committee
Emerging Health Leaders Corps – Critical Health Areas Program
Helping Working Families in Tough Economic Times, Washington State Team
Leadership Institute—Inspiring Great Leaders, Class of 2003

Council of State Governments West
Western Legislative Academy, Class of 2003

Center for Policy Alternatives
Arthur Flemming Leadership Institute, Class of 2005

National Governor’s Association
Policy Academy on Long-Term Care Preparedness—Washington State Team

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Pierce College Puyallup Nursing Program Advisory Board
Legislative & Health Policy Council, Washington State Nursing Association
Contract Negotiating Team, Washington State Nursing Association
Board of Directors, Pierce County Nursing Association

AWARDS AND HONORS
2008 Puyallup South Hill Rotary Community Vocational Service Award
2007 Outstanding Service to Veterans (Governor's Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee and Department of Veteran Affairs)
Certificate of Appreciation, Safe Streets Campaign
Honorary Recognition, National Association for Black Veterans
Legislator of the Year, Washington State Nurses Association
Legislator of the Year, Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts
Housing Hero, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Leader in the Struggle for Economic Justice, Washington State Jobs with Justice
State Legislator Award, Physical Therapy Association of Washington
Health Care Champion Award, Community Health Network of Washington
Certificate of Appreciation, Mobile Home Owners of America
Outstanding Nursing Alumni Award, University of Washington Tacoma
Honorary Recognition Award (RN Candidate), Washington State Nurses Association
Legislator Shine Award, Washington Citizen Action
Legislator of the Year, SEIU Local 775
Certificate of Appreciation, Pierce County Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Friend of Physical Therapy Award, Physical Therapy Association of Washington
Professional Nursing Excellence Award, Good Samaritan Community Healthcare