[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2577-S2578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        A TRIBUTE TO GRACE COLE

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I'm sad to inform my colleagues 
that on Saturday, March 17th, Washington State lost a great advocate 
for families, and I lost both a good friend and mentor, with the 
passing of Grace Cole.
  At this difficult time, my heart goes out to her family including her 
two brothers, four sons, four daughters in law, and six grandchildren. 
I want them to know what the rest of us have known for years: Grace 
Cole made a difference. We are proud of her and grateful for all she 
did. And even though she's no longer with us, her activism and her 
passion live on in the men and women she led into public service.
  Well-known and well-loved in Shoreline, in Olympia, and among 
families and educators throughout our State, Grace Cole set a new 
standard for public service with strong words and a soft heart. She led 
the way for advocates like me to follow her from the local school board 
to the Washington State legislature. And most important, she made a 
difference for thousands of families throughout our state by standing 
up for education, the environment and social justice.
  Mr. President, today moms and dads who serve their communities in 
Washington State know they can go on to serve at the State and Federal 
level.

[[Page S2578]]

 Years ago, however, that path wasn't so clear. Grace Cole blazed that 
trail and then helped others like me follow her into public service. 
When I look at the Washington state legislature, I see the impact Grace 
Cole has made.
  I first met Grace in the early 1980s when I started attending 
Shoreline School Board meetings. During her many years of service on 
the school board, Grace was a strong and honest voice who always came 
down on the side of our children.
  When I decided to run for the Shoreline School Board, Grace 
encouraged me and counseled me. During the time I served with Grace on 
the school board, she always made sure we were acting in the best 
interests of those we served. Grace knew just what to say, and on many 
occasions, her wise words helped ease tense moments.
  In 1983, Grace was appointed to the House of Representatives. She was 
reelected seven times and retired in 1998. As long as Grace served in 
the House, I knew Washington's children had a strong advocate.
  In 1987, I decided to run for the Washington State Senate. Once 
again, Grace was there for me as a counselor, a supporter, and a 
friend. Even though she was running for reelection at the same time, 
Grace took the time to make sure that I and others could follow in her 
footsteps. That is the way Grace was. She set a path and helped us 
follow it.
  Grace Cole also set a new standard for what it means to be an 
outstanding school board member. In fact, new members of the Shoreline 
School Board are often measured by the ``Grace Cole Standard.'' I've 
heard people say of new members, ``She'll be great--just like Grace 
Cole.'' In 1998, the Shoreline School Board honored Grace with its 
first Distinguished Service Award.
  What made Grace Cole such an icon? First, she knew how to lead. She 
listened to all sides, helped bring people together, and knew how to 
put people at ease. She was also a community builder. She worked side-
by-side with other parents to pass school levies. She put labels on 
letters and walked through neighborhoods knocking on doors to ensure 
voters would go to the polls.
  Most of all, Grace was compassionate and caring. Her passion for 
children drove everything she did. I remember her bill in the state 
legislature to outlaw spanking in schools. It seemed like such an 
uphill battle, but Grace would always say, ``Kids need to learn by 
example.'' She said that over and over again for years until her bill 
finally passed. The bill's opponents eventually went along because they 
realized that Grace Cole would never give up on something she believed 
in.
  In the State legislature, Grace won the respect of all lawmakers on 
both sides of the aisle. I knew that her time in the House was a 
personal sacrifice for her. She had to leave her family in Shoreline to 
work long hours in Olympia, then return home to attend community 
meetings and to help others. During all her public service though, 
Grace made sure to always put her kids first.
  For me, Grace was a perfect example of selfless community service. 
Today's leaders are too often judged on how much press they get or how 
``visible'' they are. Grace was the person who worked behind the scenes 
to make people's lives better.
  I will miss Grace. She always knew the right thing to say, and she 
was never afraid of tough votes. She didn't have to be. She knew to do 
the right thing. Grace showed me and countless others the path to 
public service. Over the years, so many have followed her--starting in 
PTA, serving on the school board, and then going to Olympia to fight 
for their communities.
  I know that at this difficult time her four sons and their families 
feel tremendous sorrow. We all do, but through her work Grace left us 
so much to be proud of: a strong community of good schools, good 
neighborhoods, and good friends.
  Grace had such a strong and positive spirit that I have a feeling 
wherever she is, she's organizing a coffee get-together to make sure 
everyone is doing the right thing. If there are envelopes to lick, 
phone calls to make, or laws to write, I am sure Grace is making sure 
it gets done.
  I feel fortunate to have known Grace. I am proud to call her a mentor 
and guide, and I will miss her greatly.

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