Senator Pam Roach Biography
31st District, Maple Valley

Elective Office: Senate 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006. Current term expires January 2011.

Standing Committees (2009-10): Ranking Republican Member, Government Operations and Elections; Judiciary; Early Learning and K-12 Education.

Previous Standing Committee Assignments: Children and Family Services; Energy and Utilities; Government Operations; Law and Justice; Ways and Means; Financial Institutions and Housing; Natural Resources and Parks; Energy, Technology and Telecommunications; Judiciary; State and Local Government; Financial Services, Insurance and Housing; Government Operations and Elections.

Legislative Leadership: Chair, Government Operations & Elections Committee 2003-04; Ranking Republican member, State & Local Government Committee 2001-02; Chair, Law & Justice (Judiciary) Committee, 1997-98; Ranking Republican member, Law & Justice (Judiciary) Committee, 1995-96; Republican Assistant Whip, 1993-94; Chair, Children & Family Services Committee, 1991-92.

Civic Activities: Director, Reading Tree Advisory Board; Board member, Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation. Member: Rotary International of Sumner; State Farm Bureau; Boy Scouts of America (Guardian Member); Founding member, Lake Tapps Task Force; Sons of Italy. Past Member: Auburn Food Bank Board of Directors; Auburn Chamber of Commerce; Local Council, Boy Scouts of America; Soos Creek Action Response.

Special Committees: Current: Sunshine Committee (Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee); Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation; Washington Insitute for Public Policy; Joint Select Committee for Veterans and Military Affairs (Co-Chair); Economic Development Finance Authority; Sentencing Guidelines Commission; Governor's Council on Substance Abuse. Former: Puget Sound Action Team Council. Governor's Juvenile Issues Task Force; State Building Code Council; Statute Law Committee.

National Organizations: State Chair, National Women in Government; American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC); National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL); NCSL Law and Criminal Justice Committee and Economic Development, Trade and Cultural Affairs Committee; Council of State Governments-West Transportation and Trade Committee; ALEC Homeland Security Working Group.

International Civic Activities: CTED Trade Mission to South Korea, China and Thailand, 1999 (no taxpayer money was spent); Instructor to East Timor in Parliament, taught democracy and election process, sponsored by International Republican Institute, June/July 2003; Founder: La Escuela de Esperanza (School of Hope) which provides teachers, educational material and humanitarian relief for Honduran children and Honduras Health Clinic which provides needed clothing and medical supplies, 2003; Goodwill and trade mission to Taiwan by invitation and sponsorship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

Employment: Senator Roach served as the legislative aide and chief of staff to former Senator and King County Council member Kent Pullen.

Education: B.A., History, 1970, BYU; Teacher Certificate, 1971.

• NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award 2003-04;
• Award from the Washington State Association of County Auditors for her outstanding work on election issues 2004;
• Friend of the taxpayer award, Citizens for a Sound Economy 2002;
• Washington State Veterans Legislative Coalition Outstanding Service Award, 2000;
• Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 690 Recognition Award, 2000;
• Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs Legislator of the Year, 1995-1999;
• Pierce County DUI/Traffic Safety Award, 1999;
• Washington State Dept. of Veterans Affairs Legislator of the Year, 1998;
• Washington State District and Municipal Court Judges Association President’s Award, 1998;
• Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Appreciation Award, 1997;
• Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation Certificate of Appreciation, 1997;
• Washington State Law Enforcement Association Sentinel Award, 1996;
• Defender of Justice Award, 1996;
• Washington Retail Association Recognition Award, 1996;
• Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Appreciation Award, 1995;
• King County Outdoor Sports Council Legislator of the Year Award, 1993;
• Washington State Dietetic Association Public Policy Maker Award, 1992;
• Foster Care Joint Conference Committee Appreciation Award, 1991.