[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14942-S14943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LIZ McLAUGHLIN

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to a 
politician whose record refutes every negative interpretation of that 
word and whose life personifies the true meaning of the words ``public 
service.'' In Everett, WA, Liz McLaughlin--affectionately known as Ms. 
Liz--has announced she will retire this year after nearly a decade on 
the Snohomish County Council and a lifetime of citizen activism--
although the latter will no doubt continue.
  Liz was appointed to the Snohomish County Council in 1986, and it is 
no surprise that in her first special election and two subsequent 
reelections to this office, she never had a challenger. She was 
unbeatable because citizens knew and trusted her.
  Liz started to meet community needs many years ago by working in the 
Family Life Program at Everett Community College, showing early promise 
of her future accomplishments and leadership in children's and family 
issues. In 1979 she went to work for Congressman Al Swift where, as the 
full-time representative of the Congressman, she worked closely with 
people and federal agencies, as well as local and government projects 
which affected the whole community. And the people who met Liz 
throughout those years attest to the fact that beyond her official and 
professional duties there was always the warm, personal, and caring 
quality that made her a true public servant.
  After election to the county council, Liz focused on legislation 
which would affect families' and children's lives. She is proudest of 
her work in human services and was instrumental in establishing 
innovative programs like Dispute Resolution Centers; Family Support 
Centers; the Public Housing Trust Fund, which sets aside city and 
county funds for low-income seniors and people with special needs; and 
the North Sound Regional Support Network, a five-county association 
bringing mental health dollars to the local community to keep consumers 
close to their families. Legislation she authored was passed state-wide 
to provide a permanent funding source for family and dispute resolution 
centers.
  As might be expected, she chairs the county council's health and 
human services committee, and also serves on the public works utilities 
committee. She is vice president of the Washington State Association of 
Counties Western Region, serves on the WSAC legislative steering 
committee, the Snohomish County Housing Trust Fund Advisory Board, the 
Board of Health, and the National Association of Counties Education and 
Labor Committee.
  In addition to her council boards, she has served as board president 
for Everett Community College Foundation. Board member for Providence 
General Medical Center, and co-chair of the Human Services Council 
Partnership Forum. She has served as a director or 

[[Page S 14943]]

member of numerous social service organizations and committees.
  The daughter of Swedish immigrants, Liz was born and raised in 
Monroe, WA, and has lived in Everett for 45 years. Liz and her husband, 
Don, who is retired from Weyerhauser, have two grown sons and two 
grandchildren. Liz's announcement of retirement was met with 
expressions of regret and loss from her colleagues and constituents, 
but they understand that she deserves more private time with her own 
family and, I am sure, some new challenges.
  I believe Liz chose politics as a way to accomplish community good on 
a larger scale than was possible as a lone caring individual. A strong 
believer in the two party system, she has long been active in her own 
Democratic Party, but always respected and was respected by her friends 
in the Republican Party. She did not lose her civility nor her 
sensitivity to other points of view. And she never forgot her personal 
responsibility to her constituents. A fellow councilwoman, Karen 
Miller, says: ``She always looked at how what we did would affect 
people in their day-to-day living.''
  Ms. Liz, I salute you. In these days of intense cynicism about 
politics and politicians, your career stands out as a shining example 
of what a politician can accomplish and can be. You provide a model, in 
your motivation and in your performance, for all who seek to be 
entrusted with the public trust.

                          ____________________