State Senate to offer this tribute to Whatcom’s late Sen. Doug Ericksen
Washington state senators will honor their former colleague, state Sen. Doug Ericksen, who died Dec. 17, 2021, after a five-week battle with COVID-19.
Ericksen, a Ferndale Republican, served Whatcom County’s 42nd Legislative District for nearly 23 years —from 1998-2010 in the state House and from 2010 until his death in the state Senate.
State Sen Simon Sefzik, R-Ferndale, was named Jan. 11 to serve the remainder of Ericksen’s term, which ends this year.
A memorial resolution will be presented during a floor session starting at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, a Senate spokesman said in an emailed statement.
“Fearless in the face of opposition, Senator Ericksen was one of the Legislature’s strongest voices for fiscal responsibility, limiting government overreach, supporting agriculture, preservation of Washington’s clean and affordable energy advantage, jobs and industrial development outside the Central Puget Sound metropolitan area, and pragmatic and balanced solutions to environmental challenges,” the resolution said.
Friday’s session will be streamed live by TVW, Washington state public-affairs network.
At Friday’s ceremony, senators will share their memories about Ericksen, and Senate Republican Leader John Braun will present the memorial resolution, Senate Resolution 8639.
Braun presented Ericksen’s wife Tasha Ericksen with a ceremonial Washington flag, representing his service to the state, at Ericksen’s Dec. 29, 2021, funeral in Bellingham.
This story was originally published January 27, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
