Y. Cortinas Trout-Manuel

WHEREAS, This resolution recognizes and celebrates Yolanda 1
Cortinas Trout-Manuel as the first Latina Queen of Walla Walla Cinco 2
de Mayo, a title she earned at the age of 16, honoring her historic 3
achievement and her lifelong dedication to community service, 4
cultural representation, and public leadership; and5
WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel was crowned the first 6
Latina Queen of Walla Walla Cinco de Mayo in 1968, in a pageant led 7
by Linda Franco and her mother, Emma Cortinas, marking a meaningful 8
milestone for the Latino community and reflecting progress, 9
inclusion, and the celebration of cultural heritage in Washington 10
state; and 11
WHEREAS, Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and raised in Walla 12
Walla, Washington, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel is the eighth of 18 13
siblings and the daughter of the late Mike and Emma Cortinas, 14
experiences that shaped her lifelong commitment to leadership, 15
family, and service; and 16
WHEREAS, For more than 15 years, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel 17
operated a bilingual early learning and daycare program in Walla 18
Walla, through which she supported working families, strengthened 19
early childhood education, and promoted bilingual and bicultural 20
learning, including service throughout 1996-2007; and21
WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel's lifelong commitment to 22
service began in early learning and family advocacy, through which 23
SENATE RESOLUTION
8700
By Senators Fortunato and Wagoner
p. 1 8700
she ensured that children and families had access to safe, 1
nurturing, and culturally responsive environments; and2
WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel served on the Auburn 3
City Council beginning in 2014, providing years of dedicated 4
leadership focused on transparency, public safety, and community 5
engagement; and 6
WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel demonstrated a strong 7
commitment to youth empowerment, and she supported and expanded 8
youth leadership programs and engaged young people with local 9
government; and 10
WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel consistently 11
emphasized the importance of community engagement through 12
regular town halls, thoughtful surveys, and open dialogue, 13
believing that accountable and accessible government empowers 14
residents and strengthens democracy; and 15
WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel's guiding belief that 16
progress is achieved through collective action, often expressed 17
in her words, "It's not about me, it's about all of us," shaped 18
her approach to leadership and public service; and19
WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel retired from all 20
formal leadership and committee roles, after years of service on 21
regional, statewide, and national boards, including the Sound 22
Cities Association, King County Domestic Violence Initiative 23
Regional Task Force, National League of Cities Human Development 24
Committee, Hispanic Elected Officials, and the National 25
Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, as well 26
as service as Chair of the Wellness Committee and participation 27
on children, youth, public safety, justice, and water quality 28
advisory committees; and 29
WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel has resided in 30
Auburn, Washington since 2000, and, with her husband Ron Manuel, 31
has built a life rooted in service, family, and community 32
engagement; 33
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state 34
of Washington recognize and honor Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel 35
as the first Latina Queen of Walla Walla Cinco de Mayo and 36
commend her for breaking barriers and uplifting cultural pride 37
across Washington state; and 38
p. 2 8700
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of 1
Washington acknowledge Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel's 2
significant contributions as a business owner, early learning 3
advocate, and public servant, and express appreciation for her 4
dedication to transparency, equity, and community-centered 5
leadership; and 6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of 7
Washington celebrate Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel's lifelong 8
commitment to youth, families, and community wellness, and 9
affirm the importance of inclusive leadership that reflects and 10
serves the diverse communities of Washington state.11
I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate, 12
do hereby certify that this is a true and 13
correct copy of Senate Resolution 8700, 14
adopted by the Senate 15
March 4, 2026 16
SARAH BANNISTER 17
Secretary of the Senate 18
p. 3 8700