SENATE RESOLUTION
8646
By Senators Valdez, Saldaña, Ramos, Cortes, Alvarado, Hasegawa, Kauffman, Pedersen, Lovick, Conway, Hansen, and Orwall
WHEREAS, Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, raised in Wapato, Washington, was the daughter of Mexican migrant farmworkers and spent her early years laboring in the fields of Eastern Washington; and
WHEREAS, From a young age, Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney witnessed the struggles of farmworkers and was inspired by her father's passion for helping others, leading her to a lifelong commitment to social justice and public service; and
WHEREAS, In 1967, Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney cofounded The Latino Association, which launched volunteer programs providing educational and child care services for migrant children, an effort that later evolved into the Washington Citizens for Migrant Affairs, now known as Inspire, securing federal funding for child care centers across Eastern Washington; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney was instrumental in founding the Educational Institute for Rural Families in Pasco, Washington, and the Yakima Valley Farmworkers Health Centers, addressing critical health and education needs in underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney transitioned to Seattle to work for the Employment Security Department, where she ultimately served as Assistant Commissioner, advocating for workforce development and employment equity; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney served as President of the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she championed and advocated for opportunities for small, women, and minority-owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney was appointed and subsequently elected to represent Washington's 46th Legislative District in the House of Representatives, serving with distinction for 16 years until 2013; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure, Representative Kenney chaired the Community Development and Housing Committee and served on multiple committees addressing education, labor, and economic development, always prioritizing the needs of working families and historically marginalized communities; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney was a staunch advocate for expanding access to higher education, sponsoring legislation to allow branch campuses to offer four-year degrees, providing in-state tuition for undocumented students, and establishing Opportunity Grants to support low-income students in high-demand fields; and