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HR4697 • 2026

Bernal Baca

Honoring Dr. Bernal Baca.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Mena, Representative Cortes, Representative Stonier, Representative Simmons, Representative Ortiz-Self, Representative Gregerson, Representative Farivar, Representative Reeves, Representative Ryu, Representative Taylor, Representative Peterson, Representative Zahn, Representative Parshley, Representative Goodman, Representative Berry, Representative Stearns, Representative Walen, Representative Thomas, Representative Pollet, Representative Berg, Representative Jinkins, Representative Leavitt, Representative Macri, Representative Timmons, Representative Duerr, Representative Santos, Representative Wylie, Representative Hill, Representative Callan, Representative Fosse, Representative Paul, Representative Street
Last action
2026-02-27
Official status
H Adopted
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Bernal Baca

Bernal Baca

What This Bill Does

  • Bernal Baca

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-27 House

    Adopted.

Official Summary Text

Bernal Baca

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
WHEREAS, Dr. Bernal Baca was always proud of his heritage. He was 1
born and raised in Trinidad, Colorado to a pioneer family that 2
founded the city, which was part of Mexico prior to 1846. His father 3
was the first Latino Mayor protempore for the city of Trinidad; and4
WHEREAS, Dr. Baca attended the University of Colorado Boulder, 5
Washington State University, and Seattle University; and6
WHEREAS, Dr. Baca was a life-long teacher, organizer, and 7
community builder who was well respected in the state for his 8
tireless work on justice, education, and labor issues; and9
WHEREAS, Dr. Baca was instrumental in the establishment of the 10
Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs. He was a leader in 11
the formation of the Commission in the early 1970s and was appointed 12
to the Commission by Governor Jay Inslee in August of 2020, serving 13
two one-year terms as the Chair, two terms as Vice Chair, and almost 14
two terms on the executive committee; and 15
WHEREAS, Dr. Baca dedicated himself to education, spending 30 16
years as a professor at Yakima Valley College, and serving as the 17
President of the American Federation of Teachers – Yakima; and18
WHEREAS, Dr. Baca also served as the Government Relations 19
Specialist of the American Federation of Teachers – Washington for 20
ten years, from which he retired; and 21
WHEREAS, Following retirement from his first and second careers, 22
Dr. Baca embarked on a third career serving as Executive Director of 23
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2026-4697 , by Representatives Mena, Cortes, Stonier,
Simmons, Ortiz-Self, Gregerson, Farivar, Reeves, Ryu, Taylor, Peterson, Zahn,
Parshley, Goodman, Berry, Stearns, Walen, Thomas, Pollet, Berg, Jinkins, Leavitt,
Macri, Timmons, Duerr, Santos, Wylie, Hill, Callan, Fosse, Paul, and Street
p. 1 HR 4697
a Tacoma-based nonprofit that provides social, cultural, and 1
educational services to the greater Pierce County Latino community; 2
and 3
WHEREAS, Dr. Baca was generous with his time and talents, serving 4
on two nonprofits centered around equity; as a trustee of the Tacoma 5
Art Museum; board member of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce; board 6
member of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; and 7
through volunteering on the Washington State Board of Education under 8
Governor Christine Gregoire and as President of the Association of 9
Multicultural Counseling and Development; and 10
WHEREAS, Most importantly, all who knew him knew that Dr. Baca 11
was first and foremost a Denver Broncos fan and was a proud season 12
ticket holder since 1970; 13
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives 14
recognize Dr. Bernal Baca for his service, dedication, and commitment 15
to the people of Washington state; and 16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be 17
immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of 18
Representatives to the family of Dr. Bernal Baca. 19
--- END ---
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