October 15 was the Retirement event for State Senator Steve Conway. His 18 years of service as a State Representative and 16 years as a State Senator, for a total of 34 years was not only recognized, his accomplishments, mutual accomplishments, were praised.

The event was paid for by the balance of funds left in his campaign account which state law limits how it can be expended. So as his character has so often shown, he gave back to all those who supported him through the years.

The event was located at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center. It was not lost on the knowledgeable attendees that this venue existed because of assistance from state grants awarded through the work of Senator Conway.

The room was beautifully set with aqua tablecloths, bows on each chair, matching napkins with utensils carefully tucked inside set on each plate. Every table had a large bouquet of fresh garden flowers that lucky guests were allowed to take home.

Beer, wine, sodas and water were accompanied by candies strewn on the tables and a large buffet of Asian food including, tofu, steamed vegetables, baked pork, chicken and spicy fish, followed by a creamy strawberry fluff cake.

The entry included a guest book and a table full of awards from the Senator’s years of service to the community. Over his 34 years, there was likely as many millions of dollars poured into local projects to support his district and Pierce County.

Senator Stephen Edward Conway, PhD is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a Master’s and Doctorate degree in history and served as a Fulbright Fellow at the London School of Economics. He has been a spokesman for working families, labor unions and retirement policies.

His committees included Labor & Commerce, Rules, Ways & Means, Health Care and Behavioral Health, Legislative Oral History, Veterans & Military Affairs, and the Select Committee on Pension Policy.

He is known for being the go to person sprinkle his magic touch on new places to being communities together. Cross Park in Frederickson, and the Parkland Community Center being the most local to our own readers. He helped fund the University of Washington Tacoma expansion, the LeMay Car Museum, and the Eastside Community Center. He is and always has been a strong labor man with a heart for collective bargaining.

After a welcome blessing dance by the Cambodia Classical Dance Troupe, attending dignitaries presented their accolades including Lt. Governor Denny Heck, Speaker of the House Laurie Jenkins, Anders Ibsen, Mayor of Tacoma, Victoria Woodard, former Mayor of Tacoma, Senator Yasmin Trudeau, Representative Sharlett Mena (who is running to fill his seat).

Additionally, the group included State Auditor Pat McCarthy, John McCarthy, Port Commissioner, Bill Baarsma, former Mayor of Tacoma, and Lua Pritchard of the Asia Cultural Center. By video, Priscilla Lisicich from Safe Streets, former Governor Christine Gregoire, and Senator Rosa Franklin made presentations.

County Council members Jani Hitchen and Bryan Yambe presented a proclamation from the County Council. Executive Ryan Mello was ill and was unable to attend.

Vance Lelli of the Longshoreman’s Union, whose wife Kimbelie was the Senator’s Legislative Assistant for many years, played the ukulele and sang with former Senator Karen Kaiser and others, the song, Solidarity Forever.

But maybe of all the accolades, awards, and kind words of appreciation shared that evening, some of the most important things said went something like this:

“I think that this is a time for my friends and I to get together to celebrate the things we have been able to do together.”

“I made a point of trying to get out and talk to people… How do we get people out of their homes and out of their televisions and away from their sports videos and everything else? It’s when people come together to build a safer and cleaner community… So often legislators are caught in Olympia they cannot be in their communities…. We can combat a lot of the silliness of our times if we band together and work together.”

Thank you, Senator Conway, for your years of service, your skill at funding projects that bring people together, and your willingness to meet with us all to help us make it happen.

Now it is time for all of you eligible to vote, to go out and vote. Vote for people like this. People who show up, mingle, know what it is we need, and help, through their offices to make it happen.