OLYMPIA…The Association of Washington Business (AWB) has unanimously voted to award Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, its prestigious Jim Matson Award for 2005. The award, named after the late Sen. Jim Matson, goes each year to just one state legislator who has been a consistent supporter of issues important to Washington’s employers and the state’s competitiveness during his or her legislative career.  It is the highest award a legislator can earn from AWB, Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association.

“As a small business owner myself, I know first-hand how the policies we set in the Legislature can make the difference between encouraging employers to grow and create new jobs, or forcing them to cut jobs,” said Honeyford. “That’s why over the years I have made it a priority to introduce and support legislation that cuts red tape, lifts our state’s regulatory burden and opens the door for the creation of new jobs in the 15^th District and across our state. We still have a long way to go, but it’s critical to keep that goal in mind for each and every decision.” 

Honeyford said he was particularly honored to receive an award created in honor of Jim Matson, a fellow Yakima Valley fruit grower, veteran state legislator and member of AWB’s Executive Committee during the 1970s and 80s.

“Every time the Legislature passes a bill that makes our state more competitive, another family in the 15^th District or elsewhere in Washington is more secure and has an opportunity for a better way of life,” Honeyford remarked. “That’s what this award means to me, and why I am so honored to receive it.”

Previous Jim Matson award winners include Speaker Clyde Ballard, the late Sen. Irv Newhouse, the late Sen. George Sellar, Sen. Ann Anderson, Rep. Tom Huff, Rep. Barb Lisk, Rep. Gary Chandler, Sen. Tim Sheldon, Sen. Jim West and Sen. Dan McDonald.

Honeyford was elected to the House of Representatives in 1995 and transitioned to the Senate in 1998. He spent 28 years in education before joining the Legislature and currently owns and operates a farm near Sunnyside.

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For more information contact Rebecca Japhet (360) 786-7516 or Japhet.Rebecca@leg.wa.gov