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HR 4631

Honoring Hezekiah Hewes.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie McClintock

Washington House honors Hezekiah Hewes for gold in the 50-meter and bronze in the 25-meter at the 2022 Special Olympics Spring Games, commending his 4.0 GPA and community impact.

Adopted.
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Bill Summary · HR 4631

Summary — HR 4631: "Honoring Hezekiah Hewes" (House Resolution)

Status: Adopted (resolution)
Classification: House resolution (ceremonial)
Primary subjects: Recognition / Special Olympics Washington / Individual commendation

Main purpose

HR 4631 is a ceremonial House resolution that (1) recognizes and congratulates Hezekiah Hewes for his athletic achievements at the 2022 Special Olympics Spring Games and (2) in substitute versions, celebrates the 50th anniversary and community impact of Special Olympics Washington. The resolution is non‑binding and intended as formal recognition and commendation by the Washington State House of Representatives.

Key provisions and text highlights

  • Recognizes Hezekiah Hewes for winning:
    • Gold medal — first place in the 50‑meter swim event (2022 Special Olympics Spring Games)
    • Bronze medal — third place in the 25‑meter swim event
  • Notes obstacles overcome during training, including:
    • Long travel distances to practice pools
    • Lifeguard shortages that limited training hours
    • Disruptions from the COVID‑19 pandemic
  • Notes academic achievement: Hewes graduated with a 4.0 GPA while training for competition.
  • Congratulates Hezekiah, his mother and father, and the Battleground community for the accomplishment.
  • Directs the Chief Clerk of the House to transmit copies of the resolution to Hezekiah Hewes.
  • Substitute / later versions broaden focus to Special Olympics Washington by:
    • Celebrating Special Olympics Washington’s 50th anniversary (June 2025)
    • Recognizing Special Olympics as a global organization (serving more than 4.2 million worldwide) and Special Olympics Washington’s service to more than 12,000 participants statewide
    • Commemorating the organization’s role in inclusion, confidence building, and community connection, and urging continued work toward greater inclusion over the next 50 years

Who is affected

  • Primary honoree: Hezekiah Hewes (gold and bronze medalist)
  • Hewes’s family (specifically named)
  • Battleground community (acknowledged)
  • Special Olympics Washington, its athletes, volunteers, and affiliated communities (especially in substitute versions)
  • The resolution is purely symbolic and does not create legal rights, obligations, or funding changes.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Multiple versions and actions are present in the record:
    • Original resolution introduced and adopted March 29, 2023 (text honoring Hezekiah Hewes; sponsor listed as Representative McClintock).
    • Substitute resolution (broader Special Olympics WA focus) certified as adopted March 25, 2025; lists many co‑sponsors (Representatives Abbarno, Parshley, Doglio, Taylor, Schmick, Leavitt, Scott, Timmons, Bronoske, Callan, Thomas, Pollet, Thai, Paul, Ryu, Nance, Richards, Walen, Schmidt, Burnett, Steele, Stuebe, Dent, Jacobsen, Zahn, Mendoza, Barnard, and Kloba).
    • A 2025 resolution version by Representative Abbarno repeats the 50th anniversary content.
    • Legislative action entries include an introduction and referral to the House Committee on the Judiciary on July 23, 2025 (record shows multiple introduction/adoption dates across 2023 and 2025).
  • Sponsor information in the provided materials contains inconsistencies (a “Wesley Bell (primary)” entry appears alongside the Representative sponsors listed in the texts). The resolution is ceremonial; procedural variations reflect multiple introductions/versions rather than substantive legislative effect.

Impact

  • Symbolic recognition elevating awareness of an individual athlete’s achievements and the broader role of Special Olympics Washington in promoting inclusion and athletic opportunity.
  • Provides formal state acknowledgment of Hezekiah Hewes’s athletic and academic accomplishments and marks Special Olympics Washington’s 50th anniversary.
  • No budgetary, regulatory, or enforceable policy changes result from this resolution.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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