Trudi and I send our condolences to the Gardner family and the tens of thousands of people around Washington who considered the governor their friend. Booth Gardner was one of the great leaders of our state. He served us all with the highest standards and with never-ending humanity.
He helped prepare Washington for the 21st Century. His accomplishments are immense – from creating the Basic Health Plan to enacting the Growth Management Act – and he touched every part of life in our state. Booth made a personal connection with everyone he met – from children visiting the capital to the lawmakers he persuaded to always act for the greater good of Washington. When I was a young legislator, he showed me great kindness and helped me learn what it means to serve. I’ll always be personally indebted to him.
After his life of public service, Booth was open with us about his health. And he led us to a respectful discussion about the dignity of life and death.
We will all miss Booth and I know all Washingtonians join me in keeping him and his family in our hearts.