Ralph Munro

WHEREAS, Ralph Munro, a lifelong public servant and former five-1
term Secretary of State for Washington, dedicated his career to 2
improving the lives of Washingtonians through advocacy, policy, and 3
compassion; and 4
WHEREAS, Ralph Munro began his journey in public service as a 5
volunteer at the Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center in Pierce 6
County, where his compassion and commitment to those with 7
disabilities caught the attention of Governor Daniel Evans, leading 8
to a position on the governor's staff as an advisor on volunteerism; 9
and 10
WHEREAS, Ralph Munro became a pioneer in disability rights, 11
helping pass groundbreaking legislation requiring Washington's public 12
schools to serve students with physical and mental disabilities, a 13
model that inspired similar federal legislation ensuring education 14
for all; and 15
WHEREAS, His advocacy extended beyond education, with efforts to 16
make Washington's communities more accessible, including the 17
introduction of curb cuts at street corners to allow individuals in 18
wheelchairs to cross safely, a change that preceded federal 19
accessibility requirements by two decades; and 20
WHEREAS, Ralph Munro played an instrumental role in transforming 21
Washington's fragmented social service agencies into the Department 22
of Social and Health Services, creating a more effective and 23
SENATE RESOLUTION
8655
By Senators Wagoner, Braun, Conway, Goehner, Hansen, Hasegawa, Lovelett, Lovick,
MacEwen, Muzzall, Orwall, Robinson, Schoesler, Shewmake, Stanford, C. Wilson,
Wellman, Dozier, King, Pedersen, Warnick, Fortunato, Saldaña, Short, and Torres
p. 1 8655
coordinated system to serve the state's most vulnerable 1
populations; and 2
WHEREAS, His compassion extended to those beyond our 3
borders, as he spearheaded efforts to welcome and resettle 4
30,000 Vietnamese refugees in Washington following the Vietnam 5
War, demonstrating the state's commitment to providing refuge to 6
those fleeing oppression and persecution; and 7
WHEREAS, Ralph Munro's advocacy for Washington's natural 8
heritage included his pivotal role in ending orca whale hunts in 9
Puget Sound, ensuring the survival of the region's iconic killer 10
whale population through legal action that protected these 11
magnificent creatures; and 12
WHEREAS, Ralph Munro served with distinction as Washington's 13
Secretary of State for two decades, during which he upheld the 14
highest standards of election integrity while using his office 15
to champion environmental protection, disability rights, and the 16
preservation of Washington's history; and 17
WHEREAS, Ralph Munro's passion for honoring Washington's 18
heritage was evident in his leadership of the state's centennial 19
celebration in 1989, when he traveled across the state to 20
educate citizens about the history of state government and the 21
Washington Constitution; and 22
WHEREAS, His leadership saved the old Milwaukee Road 23
corridor, transforming it into a vital public resource that 24
today serves as part of the Great American Rail Trail, a 25
national treasure for outdoor enthusiasts and a legacy that 26
endures across Washington; and 27
WHEREAS, His legacy lives on through the Ralph Munro Trail 28
in Olympia and the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education at 29
Western Washington University, both of which continue to inspire 30
future generations of civic leaders and advocates; and31
WHEREAS, Ralph Munro's remarkable career and unwavering 32
dedication to public service have left an indelible mark on the 33
state of Washington, demonstrating that one person's passion and 34
commitment can create lasting change; 35
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State 36
Senate honor and commemorate the life and legacy of Ralph Munro, 37
p. 2 8655
recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the state of 1
Washington and beyond; and 2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be 3
immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the 4
family of Ralph Munro in recognition of his lasting impact on 5
the people and communities of Washington. 6
I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate, 7
do hereby certify that this is a true and 8
correct copy of Senate Resolution 8655, 9
adopted by the Senate 10
April 21, 2025 11
SARAH BANNISTER 12
Secretary of the Senate 13
p. 3 8655