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HR 4624

Recognizing Deborah Senn becoming the first woman elected to serve as the state's insurance commissioner.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Berry and 1 co-sponsor

Ceremonial House resolution honors Deborah Senn for breaking gender barriers in insurance regulation and congratulates Columbia River HS volleyball on the 2A state title.

Adopted.
0
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Bill Summary · HR 4624

Summary — H. Res. 4624

Bill type and purpose

H. Res. 4624 is a ceremonial House resolution recognizing public service and accomplishments. The resolution (adopted) honors Deborah Senn for her service as the first woman elected to serve as the state’s insurance commissioner and also congratulates the Columbia River High School varsity volleyball team for winning a state championship. As a resolution, it is non‑binding and contains no regulatory or fiscal measures.

Key provisions and content

  • Recognizes Deborah Senn (b. March 8, 1949; d. February 18, 2022) for:
    • Being elected in 1992 as the first woman to serve as the state insurance commissioner.
    • Leadership on consumer protection issues, including regulations on environmental clean‑up claims, protections for domestic violence survivors, guaranteed access to obstetrician‑gynecologists, reducing waiting periods for preexisting conditions, and equal recognition of licensed health care providers.
    • Initiating U.S. regulatory action on behalf of Holocaust victims denied insurance benefits, contributing to creation of the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (1998).
    • International technical assistance through the U.S. Department of the Treasury to strengthen insurance regulation in developing countries.
    • Advocacy and legal work (example cited: representation in a gender‑discrimination case involving a woman seeking to become a vessel pilot).
    • Mentorship of women in public service and personal interests (baseball, dog shows, arts, tennis, Hawaii). Mentions family and spouse Rudi Bertschi.
  • Congratulates the Columbia River High School (Vancouver, WA) 2023–2024 volleyball team for:
    • Winning a fifth‑set final to secure the 2A state championship — their fourth consecutive 2A title.
    • Individual recognitions cited: Senior Captain Sydney Dreves (tournament MVP, All‑State 2A Player of the Year), sophomore Sophia Gourley (395 kills, 175 digs, 50 aces; First Team All‑Region), and senior Katelyn Kessler (three‑time state champion).
    • Commends coaches Breanne Smedley and Luke Carlson and names additional team members.
    • Directs that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the team and Head Coach Smedley.

Who is affected

  • Primarily honorary: Deborah Senn’s family, colleagues, consumer‑protection community, Holocaust‑era claimants historically associated with the referenced work, and the Columbia River High School volleyball team, coaches, fans, and local community.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Listed as “Adopted.” Legislative records included multiple introduction and adoption dates (entries for March 8, 2023; February 21, 2025; and July 23, 2025) and a July 23, 2025 referral to House committees (Education and Workforce; Energy and Commerce) for relevant jurisdictional matters. These multiple dates suggest the resolution text appeared in more than one House submission or had subsequent similar resolutions; the current status in the file provided is adopted.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor listed: Brian Jack. Additional cosponsors include LaMonica McIver, Derek Schmidt, Haley M. Stevens, Sharice Davids, Christopher H. Smith, Steven Horsford, Jefferson Van Drew, and Shomari Figures.

Impact

This is a commemorative, non‑legislative action that records and honors public service and local athletic achievement. It creates no new legal obligations, expenditures, or regulatory changes.

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

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