Foundation for Early Learning Luncheon honoring Mona Locke

May 31, 2009

It�s such a pleasure and a privilege to be here today, participating in the honoring of Mona Locke.

We�re glad you�re here on such a beautiful, blue-sky, Seattle day. Please remember to think of us when you�re in the heavy heat and humidity of the other Washington.

All joking aside, Mona, We�re here to specially recognize a special individual. And it�s terrific to see that today she�s accompanied by her wonderful children - Emily, Dylan and Madeline, and her husband, Secretary Gary Locke.

Mona, on behalf of the people of our state, I want to start by simply saying thank you. Thank you for being a pioneer in this state on early childhood education. You�ve been a true leader, and it�s brought us to where we are today.

While serving as first lady, and being a mom of two young children at the time, you found room to give even more.

Joined by Melinda Gates, you co-chaired Gov. Gary Locke�s effort, the Governor�s Commission on Early Learning, which laid the foundation and served as the beginning of an ongoing commitment to our littlest children � birth through five.

That was only the start, as that commission ultimately evolved into the Foundation for Early Learning, where you continued your leadership and became the founding Board Chair.

Now, after nine years of service to the Foundation, we�re here to say goodbye � for now.

I know I�m not alone in my struggles in this farewell. Mona, you�ve been a role model for families, women and children. And, you�ve shown us that women can balance life, career and their passions.

As a working mom myself, and one who raised two daughters while in public service, I know how difficult it can be, yet how important those early years are.

We share the same commitment to ensure ALL children, not just our own, get what they need - socially, emotionally and intellectually � from the day they are born.

It�s important to note that Mona has not just pursued one avenue in her commitment of early childhood education.

She deserves acknowledgement for her work on the state benchmarks for early learning, and for her work as a Thrive by Five board member.

Because of your ongoing dedication and deep commitment our state has come along way in setting our next generation of children on a successful path in life.

And, when I look at how far we�ve come, it brings me to this quote by an unknown author who said, �Children are one-third of our population and all of our future.�

Mona was instrumental in getting our work started, and now we must all make sure we keep it going.

Let�s look at where we are now:

Every year more children are truly ready when they enter school.

Today, more parents in need of support and resources are getting it so they can better serve as their children�s first teachers.

And, the quality of childcare and pre-school across our state continues to improve.

That�s real progress; and I�m confident there�s much more to come.

But Mona, I must also mention your work with the Susan B. Komen Foundation. You�re currently serving as the Puget Sound�s Executive Director and you know how close that organization is to my heart.

You are to be commended for this passion as well � finding a cure for breast cancer is so very critical.

You�ve been a leader for families, women and children. Washington DC�s gain is certainly our Washington�s loss.

Families make great sacrifices for public service. I know that�s not always easy, but I also know that you have strong family with strong values.

And, while we say goodbye to you, we must also say goodbye to Emily, Dylan, Madeline and Secretary Locke.

I think about admiring how President Obama and Michelle re-established their lives and settled into the White House.

I know you�ll do the same. You�ll pick up from here gently and quietly, and resettle and establish yourselves in the other Washington in a similar way.

Mona � I wish you and your family all the best. And may you continue with your advocacy, passion and leadership on issues that make a difference in the lives of families, women and children.

Thank you for all you�ve done in our Washington. You will be missed.