[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   RECOGNIZING DON BRUNELL FOR HIS NEARLY 30 YEARS OF SERVICE AT THE 
                   ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON BUSINESS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2013

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to rise today to 
recognize my good friend Don C. Brunell, who has been a champion of 
business in Washington state for nearly 30 years, with an exceptional 
record of achievement at the Association of Washington Business, the 
fourth largest state chamber of commerce in the U.S.
  Don Brunell came to the Evergreen State in 1978 from his native state 
of Montana to work in the forest products industry for Crown 
Zellerbach, combining his love of the outdoors with his interests in 
politics and business.
  In 1981, Don was appointed to the Association of Washington Business 
Executive Committee and chaired the Association's Natural Resources and 
Environment Council until, in 1986, Don was appointed vice chairman of 
government affairs for AWB, and, a year later, president of AWB.
  That's how we all know him, as the steady hand and leader of our 
business community. He has grown the organization from under 1,000 
members to what is now the state's largest business advocacy 
organization with more than 8,000 private employers of all industries 
and sizes.
  Under Don Brunell's 28 years of leadership, the Association of 
Washington Business has been designated as the state's manufacturing 
association by the National Association of Manufacturing and is twice 
recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as an Accredited Chamber 
with Distinction, and is currently one of just four state chambers 
``accredited with distinction''
  But maybe his most enduring legacy is his extensive work with 
Washington Business Week and through the Don C. Brunell Scholarship 
that has helped encourage generations of high school students with an 
interest in business to achieve their entrepreneurial goals.
  In his role as AWB President, Don Brunell has had the honor of 
working with five Washington governors, including Govs. Gardner, Lowry, 
Locke, Gregoire and Inslee, as well as the leaderships of Speakers 
Ehlers, King, Ebersole, Ballard, and Chopp For hundreds of legislators, 
Don was the voice of experience, always looking out to protect our 
wonderful free enterprise system.
  I want to particularly note that each Christmas since 1988, the 
holidays for many rural families in Washington have been a bit 
brighter--and the Legislative Building a bit more festive--since Don 
Brunell founded the Holiday Kids' Tree Program, raising hundreds of 
thousands of dollars for needy families around the state and 
establishing the community tradition of a tree lighting each December 
in the state capitol.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Don has maintained his strong 
belief in family, as evidenced by his marriage of 42 years to wife 
Jeri, children Jennifer, Carey, Erin, Don, Dan and Colleen and his 14 
grandchildren; and Don has also remained committed to those serving in 
the U.S. armed forces, himself a veteran with 23 years of service in 
the U.S. Army, Montana and Washington Army National Guard and U.S. Army 
Reserve as a special forces, infantry and public affairs officer.
  It is bittersweet to see such a distinguished career draw to a close, 
but I must acknowledge Don will retire from AWB in January 2014, making 
the legislative session that is drawing to a close in Washington state 
the last one with Don as president of the state's largest and oldest 
business association.
  Future legislators and business leaders should draw inspiration from 
his steadfastness and dedication to the cause of freedom and free 
enterprise that was a constant during his long and honorable career.

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