SENATE RESOLUTION
8705
By Senator Braun
WHEREAS, Senator Matt Boehnke has faithfully served the people of Washington state and the 8th Legislative District with dedication, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to public service; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Kennewick and a lifelong resident of the Tri-Cities, Senator Boehnke first entered public service when he was elected to the Kennewick City Council in 2015, where he worked to strengthen local government, support public safety, and promote economic opportunity for his community; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, Senator Boehnke was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives to represent the 8th Legislative District, which includes the city of Kennewick and parts of Richland, where he quickly established himself as a thoughtful advocate for innovation, workforce development, and policies that support families and local communities; and
WHEREAS, In 2022, Senator Boehnke was elected to the Washington State Senate representing the 8th Legislative District and assumed office in January 2023, continuing his work on behalf of the communities of Kennewick, Richland, and the greater Tri-Cities region; and
WHEREAS, During his service in the Senate, Senator Boehnke has served as Ranking Member of the Environment, Energy and Technology Committee and as a member of the Higher Education and Workforce Development, Ways and Means, and Rules committees, providing leadership on issues critical to Washington's economic future and technological advancement; and
WHEREAS, Senator Boehnke has been a leading voice in strengthening Washington's technology and innovation economy, contributing to statewide and national conversations on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced data infrastructure, and policies that support responsible development of emerging technologies; and
WHEREAS, Senator Boehnke has championed policies that expand career and technical education and workforce training opportunities, recognizing the importance of preparing students and workers for high-demand careers in cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, energy, and other growing industries; and
WHEREAS, Senator Boehnke has been a strong advocate for reliable and affordable energy, including support for advanced nuclear energy, clean energy innovation, and an electric grid capable of supporting Washington's agriculture, manufacturing, and growing technology sectors; and
WHEREAS, Senator Boehnke has consistently championed the needs of the Tri-Cities, Eastern Washington, and rural communities, working to ensure their voices are heard in Olympia and promoting policies that strengthen agriculture, economic opportunity, and regional development; and