“All politics,” observed a shrewd Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives now gone to his reward, “is local.” For talking about Washington State Rep. John McCoy, you might tweak ol’ Tip O’Neill’s proverb just a tad to read, “Leadership always starts locally.” McCoy in a few weeks will be honored with the Pearl Capoeman-Baller Civic Participation Award from The Potlatch Fund. This local, state and national trailblazer will join other esteemed recipients of recognition in the 2011 Annual Potlatch Fund Gala, which is set for Saturday, Nov. 19, in Seattle. “I’m so humbled and so very honored to be receiving this recognition,” McCoy said. “Truly, I will accept this award on behalf of the multitude of folks in our communities who go the extra mile every day to make ours a better, safer, healthier place to call home.”
A Tulalip Democrat, McCoy represents the 38th Legislative District, which includes the communities and neighborhoods of Tulalip, Marysville and Everett in Snohomish County. McCoy chairs the House Technology, Energy, & Communication Committee, and he sits on the House Education Committee and the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. He also chairs the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators. He’s an active member of the Environmental Management Roundtable, the Labor and Economic Development Committee, and the Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The Snohomish County lawmaker has championed an expansion of broadband across the state as a way to get everyone connected. He has also pushed to expand Washington’s renewable energy portfolio and create incentives for alternative energy, such as biomass and solar. Around his community, McCoy is active with the United Way, the Native American advisory boards for the National and Snohomish County Boys and Girls Clubs, the advisory board for the Cascade Land Conservancy, and several other philanthropic community-support groups.
McCoy and his wife, Jeannie McCoy, make their home in Tulalip. They have three daughters, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Formed in 2002, Potlatch is a foundation and leadership-development organization serving Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. Potlatch strives to develop and empower Native leadership, and see to it that the wisest use is made of tribal resources. Says the organization’s website: “Our mission is to inspire the Native tradition of giving in Northwest Indian Country to promote economic development, natural resource protection, education, cultural preservation, civic participation, and the overall health of Native people and their communities.”