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Senator
Linda Evans Parlette
Biography 12th District, Wenatchee
Sen. Parlette’s
experience as a pharmacist serves as a good foundation for her work on
health care issues, including her current and former work on the
National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Health Care Committee,
the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care, the Joint Task
Force on Mental Health Services and Financing (also called the Mental
Health Task Force), the Joint Select Committee on Health Disparities,
the Task Force on Long-Term Care Financing and Chronic Care Management,
and the Joint Legislative Task Force on Nursing Homes. While serving in
the House, Senator Parlette was co-chair of the Health Care Committee,
and is currently a member of the Washington State Pharmacy Association.
Senator Parlette’s work
as an orchardist has helped her understand first-hand the importance of
agriculture in Washington state, as well as the needs of small
businesses owners. In 2008, Senator Parlette received the Farm Bureau’s
“Legislator of the Year” award and the Washington Agriculture and
Forestry Association’s Stu Bledsoe Leadership Memorial Award, given each
year to leaders who make a difference in their communities. She is a
ten-year recipient of the Association of Washington Business’s
“Cornerstone” award and in 2006 received the National Federation of
Independent Business’s “Legislator of the Year” award. In the spring of
1997, after finishing her first session in the House of Representatives,
the Seattle Times named Senator Parlette as one of six new legislators
who were “freshman with a future.”
When the Legislature is
not in session, Senator Parlette resides in Wenatchee with her husband
Bob. Together they have five grown children and two grandchildren.
More about Senator
Parlette… Legislative Leadership: Senate Republican Caucus Chair 2006-present; Deputy Senate Republican Leader 2005-2006; Deputy Majority Leader 2004; Deputy Majority Floor Leader 2003; Co-Chair, House Health Care Committee 1999-2000; Vice Chair Agriculture/Ecology Committee 1997-1998. Elective Office: Senate 2000, 2004, 2008, current term ends January 2013. House of Representatives, 1996, 1998. Standing Committees (2007-08): Health and Long-Term Care; Financial Institutions, Housing and Insurance; Ways and Means; Rules. Special Committees: Land Use Climate Change Committee (LUCC); Civil Legal Aid Oversight Committee; Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care; National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) Health Committee; Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Plan 2 (LEOFF Board), Board of Trustees; Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. Former Co-chair, Joint Legislative Task Force on Mental Health Services and Financing (Mental Health Task Force). Former member: Joint Select Committee on Health Disparities; Joint Legislative Task Force on Unemployment Insurance Benefits;Task Force on Long-Term Care Financing and Chronic Care Management; Washington State Institute for Public Policy; Joint Legislative Task Force on Nursing Homes; Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect; Three-Tier Task Force; Advisory Board, William D. Ruckelshaus Center. Education: Washington State University, B.S. Pharmacy (with honors). Community Involvement: Member, Washington State Horticultural Association; Washington State Pharmacy Association; Member, Wenatchee Rotary Club (Founder, "Lunch Buddy" program); Member, Washington State Grange; Member, Lake Chelan United Methodist Church; Graduate, Class II Washington State Ag Forestry Program; Class III, Harvard University JFK School of Government, Women and Power: Leadership In a New World; Former board member, North Central Washington Education Service District; Former member, chair, Lake Chelan School Board; Former member, Lake Chelan Hospital Guild; Former board member, Washington State Ag-Forestry Education Foundation. Honors:
2008:
“Legislator of the
Year,” Washington State Farm Bureau; “Stu Bledsoe Award,” AgForestry
Leadership Program; “Legislator of the Year,” Washington Health Care
Association
2007:
“Legislative Business
Star,” National Federation of Independent Business; “Cornerstone” Award,
Association of Washington Business
2006:
“Legislator of the
Year,” National Federation of Independent Business; “Cornerstone” Award,
Association of Washington Business “Woman of the Year” Award, Women’s
Resource Center
2005:
“Legislator of the
Year,” Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs (WACOPS); “Cornerstone”
Award, Association of Washington Business
2004:
“Women’s Leadership Through
Service” Award, Washington State Horticultural Association;
“Cornerstone” Award, Association of Washington Business
2003:
“Rural Healthcare Legislator of
the Year,” Washington Heath Care Association “Cornerstone” Award,
Association of Washington Business
2002:
“Cornerstone” Award, Association
of Washington Business
2001:
Special Recognition Award – 100
Percent Voting Record, Washington State Farm Bureau; “Cornerstone”
Award, Association of Washington Business
2000:
“Rural Legislator of the
Year,” Washington State Hospital Association; “Outstanding Legislator,”
National Federation of Independent Business
1999:
“Tom Martin Award for
Exemplary Achievements in Rail Transportation,” Washington Association
of Rail Passengers
1998:
“Friend of Rural
Healthcare Award,” Washington Rural Health Association “Cornerstone”
Award, Association of Washington Business
1997:
“Friend of Rural
Healthcare Award,” Washington Rural Health Association; “Cornerstone”
Award, Association of Washington Business
1995:
“Margaret Chase Smith
Award,” Washington State Republican Women; “Trail Blazer Award,” Lewis
and Clark Elementary School Employment: Pharmacist, Orchardist, legislator. Personal: Fourth generation Chelan area resident. Currently resides in Wenatchee with her husband, Bob. Together, they have five grown children and three granddaughters. |
