Senator Harriet Spanel
40th District  Bellingham

Official Senate Biography

Democrat: Term expires January 2009.

Elective Office: Washington State Senate, 1993-present; House of Representatives, 1987-1993. Legislative Leadership: Senate Democratic Caucus Chair, 1999-present; Senate Majority Floor Leader, 1994-97; Senate Majority Whip, 1993.

Other Legislative Committees: Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, past Chair, 1993-present; Pacific Fisheries Legislative Task Force, Past Chair, 1995-present; Joint Committee on Pension Policy, 1990-1994 and 2001 - present, Chair, 1991-92; Senate Committee on Committees, 1992-present;National Council of State Legislatures, Environment Committee, 1995-present; Council of State Governments, Legislative Council on River Governance, 1999 - present, Chair, 2002-2003; Legislative Building Renovation Oversight Committee, 2000-present. Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) 1996-1999; Legislative Ethics Board, 1995-1999; Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Delegate Council, 1995-1997; State Investment Board, 1992; Gender and Justice Task Force, 1987-89; GJTF Implementation Committee, 1989-92; National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) Education Task Force, 1987-92.

Education: Iowa State University, B.S., Mathematics.

Civic Organizations and Activities: League of Women Voters, past President; Economic Development Association of Skagit County; Mount Vernon Women in Business; Washington Environmental Council; Women's Political Caucus; Democratic Women's Club; Women of Western; YWCA; Wildcat Steelhead Club; Bellingham Childcare and Learning Center, Advisory Board Member. Bellingham Planning Commission, past member; Bellingham Parks & Recreation Board, past Chair; Opportunity Council Board, past member; Volunteer Health Resources Network Board, past member;

Personal: Senator Spanel lives in Bellingham and has three grown children.

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