[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19490]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MAYOR JIM HAGGERTON

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today with my colleague Senator Cantwell, 
I wish to commemorate Mayor Jim Haggerton for his 30 years of public 
service. Mr. Haggerton first served the people of Tukwila, WA as a 
member of the planning commission from 1985 to 1994 and thereafter as a 
member of the city council from 1994 to 2007. Since 2008, Mr. Haggerton 
has served as mayor of Tukwila. On December 31, Mr. Haggerton will 
retire after 30 years of service to Tukwila.
  During his tenure, Mr. Haggerton has consistently provided 
outstanding leadership, kept the interests of the public at the 
forefront of his work, celebrated the city's diversity, and supported 
its neighborhoods, businesses, and residents. Mr. Haggerton 
successfully spearheaded dozens of major development and public 
infrastructure projects including the new Klickitat interchange, the 
Tukwila South Development Agreement, opening the LINK Light Rail 
Station in Tukwila, the South Park Bridge, a permanent Tukwila Commuter 
Rail and Amtrak Station, the Southcenter Parkway, and the redevelopment 
of Interurban Avenue. Mayor Haggerton fought to redevelop neglected and 
crime-ridden property along Tukwila International Boulevard, which 
culminated in the Tukwila Village Development Agreement. Additionally, 
Mr. Haggerton fiercely advocated to fund new crimefighting initiatives 
and led efforts to build sports and recreational facilities in Tukwila. 
Throughout his career, I was consistently impressed with Mayor 
Haggerton's commitment and contributions to the local community.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I join my colleague Senator Murray in 
commemorating Mayor Haggerton's 30 years of public service. As mayor, 
Mr. Haggerton led the effort to develop and adopt Tukwila's first 
strategic plan, providing a clear vision for economic development in 
the city. Mayor Haggerton was also among the first to offer regional 
assistance to the Oso, Arlington, and Darrington communities following 
the devastating State Route 530 mudslide in 2014. Throughout his 
tenure, Mayor Haggerton has served on multiple regional and national 
boards and always carried out his job with a passion for and commitment 
to helping others.
  As our constituents in Washington State know, Mr. Haggerton had a 
genuine interest in learning about the issues facing those he was 
elected to serve. He has been an integral leader in Tukwila and played 
a critical role in shaping the city's history. I have no doubt that Mr. 
Haggerton's work in Tukwila and the greater Puget Sound region will 
have a lasting impact on generations for years to come.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, together Senator Cantwell and I commend 
Mayor Haggerton for his long-standing dedication to public service. 
Over the past 30 years, Mayor Haggerton has always been an unwavering 
partner for the citizens of Tukwila, available with a friendly smile 
and positive attitude. We express our sincere gratitude, respect, and 
appreciation to Mr. Jim Haggerton for his service to the city and 
residents of Tukwila, South King County, and the State of Washington 
and for his friendship and partnership as we have worked with him in 
Washington, DC, on behalf of the people of the great State of 
Washington.

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