Latest news with #BillRamos
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WA lawmakers honor late state senator: ‘Bill Ramos made Washington better'
Washington lawmakers on Sunday honored the late state Sen. Bill Ramos, an Issaquah Democrat who died suddenly April 19 while running on a trail near his home. Democrats and Republicans alike remembered Ramos for his professional contributions to the state — but also for who he was as a person. Senators adopted a resolution commemorating Ramos on Sine Die, the last day of the 2025 session. Ramos' kindness, integrity and warmth made an indelible mark on his colleagues. So did his problem-solving nature and willingness to stand up for women and what's right, his peers said. Ramos was 69. He's survived by his wife, King County Council member Sarah Perry; two adult children, Maya and Max; and dog, Sadie. Ramos had served the 5th Legislative District since 2019, first as a state House representative and later in the upper chamber. State Sen. Javier Valdez, a Seattle Democrat, remembered meeting then-candidate Ramos in 2018. 'When you first meet Bill Ramos, you hear his laughter — but that smile — I mean, just so contagious about how happy he was, wherever he went,' Valdez said. 'Nothing ever could get him down. And there he was, just being Bill Ramos.' Valdez also noted that Ramos was a proud founding member of the state's Latino Democratic Caucus. Sen. Rebecca Saldaña donned a suit and tie on Sunday. She said even though the tie was a bit crooked, she didn't want to redo it because Ramos had tied it for her, a gesture that meant a lot. Saldaña, a Seattle Democrat, said that apart from Ramos' fierce loyalty and kindness, he'd become enraged by the injustices experienced by others. His lasting presence reminds lawmakers to be courageous and get their 'steps in,' she added, eliciting laughter. 'I have been honoring him by doubling down on bringing my tennis shoes here more often, and making sure that I am walking and enjoying this most beautiful place that we have called home … in Washington state, among these trees and the waters and our salmon,' she said. 'And I don't take it for granted.' Senate Vice President Pro Tempore John Lovick said he'd read a quote on a walk that morning: 'Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.' 'Senator Ramos had to be one of the kindest people I've ever met,' the Mill Creek Democrat continued. Ramos, who previously worked in the U.S. Department of Transportation, served as vice chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee. Sen. Marko Liias of Edmonds, the committee's chair, called Ramos a 'bridge builder.' He also underscored Ramos' deep love for his wife. During Liias' speech, he referenced a group of House members seated in the Senate gallery. Throughout his 18 years in the Washington state Legislature, Liias said, he'd never seen House representatives in the gallery on Sine Die. Ramos brought lawmakers together, even after his passing, Liias said. 'Bill Ramos represented the very best of us,' the Democrat continued. 'Bill Ramos made us all better, and Bill Ramos made Washington better.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A salute to a state senator
Following the passing of Washington State Senator Bill Ramos, the Washington State Latino Democratic Caucus served him a farewell message online — Remembering Sen. Bill Ramos Senator Ramos died over the weekend while walking his dog. The Senator was elected to the state House in 2018, then elected to the state Senate in 2024. He was sworn into office just a few months ago on January 13, 2025. Below is the full press release from the Washington State Latino Democratic Caucus: The Washington State Latino Democratic Caucus mourns the sudden and heartbreaking loss of our beloved colleague and friend, Sen. Bill Ramos. Bill passed away Saturday night while on a trail run with his dog, Sadie — doing what he loved, in the forests he dedicated his life to protecting. Bill was a proud Latino, a tireless public servant and one of the kindest human beings you could ever meet. His passing is a profound loss not just for the 5th Legislative District, but for all of Washington — and for every person whose life he touched with his compassion, integrity and unwavering dedication to service. He carried his roots from East Oakland with pride, and he brought his full self — his culture, his values and his deep love for community — to every room he entered and every policy he brought forward. 'Bill was a champion for the underserved, who cared deeply about his community and making sure everybody's voice was heard,' shared Rep. Lilian Ortiz-Self (D-Mukilteo), Chair of the Latino Democratic Caucus. 'I loved working with him as he was always quick to offer encouragement as Vice-Chair of the LDC as well as personally, as my friend. He came to the Legislature at a time when our community was under attack. He was unapologetically Latino, whose passion, commitment and advocacy for our community across the state was diligent and steadfast. His love for people and his belief in service will stay with us forever.' Bill was first elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 2018, serving the 5th Legislative District from January 2019 to January 2025. In 2024, he was elected to the Washington Senate and was sworn in on Jan. 13, 2025. Before his tenure in the Legislature, Bill dedicated his life to public service across multiple sectors. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service in North Bend, where he served as director of Timber Management, Recreation and Public Services, and Ecosystem Management. Later, he served in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration as a community planner and federal tribal liaison, working with 56 tribes across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska to improve access to public transportation on tribal lands. He also served on the Issaquah City Council and several of the city's commissions, always seeking to lift up the voices of those most often left out of the process. Bill was also a small business owner who brought joy to his community through his dance studio, Dance All Night, where he taught salsa, swing and ballroom. 'Bill was a kind and joy-filled soul who uplifted those around him,' said Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), LDC Vice Chair. 'He led with humility and heart, always putting people first. He carried stories of his mom, a hairdresser in East Oakland, and wore his dad's ties with pride on the Senate floor. Bill brought all of who he was to his public service — and that made him so special. I will miss his kindness, his laugh, his passion for life and the people he loved. His enthusiastic spirit encourages us to live our best lives every day.' 'Every time I talked to Bill, he taught me something — not just on being a better lawmaker, but on being a better person," said LDC Vice Chair Rep. Julio Cortes (D-Everett). 'He exuded warmth, patience, and a bright smile that made you feel like everything would be okay. As a new legislator, I leaned on him more than he probably knew. He didn't just offer guidance — he led by example, with heart and humility. Bill was the kind of public servant we should all strive to be, and the kind of friend you never forget. I will miss him deeply.' The Latino Democratic Caucus extends our deepest condolences and love to his wife, King County Council Vice Chair Sarah Perry, and the entire Ramos family. We grieve with you. Sen. Bill Ramos will be remembered for his integrity, his service and his love for people. His legacy lives on in all of us who had the honor to know him and to serve alongside him. Rest in power, Sen. Ramos.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘A devastating loss': WA state Sen. Bill Ramos mourned after dying unexpectedly
Sen. Bill Ramos, D-Issaquah, speaking on the floor on April 16, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) Washington state Sen. Bill Ramos died suddenly Saturday while on a trail run near his home in Issaquah. He was 69. Colleagues remembered Ramos, a Democrat representing Washington's 5th Legislative District, as a kind and dedicated public servant. 'He never let even the most serious matters get too serious,' said Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle. 'He made you like him the moment you met him.' 'Bill's passing is a devastating loss for our caucus and for our state,' Pedersen added. Ramos, a member of the Latino Democratic Caucus, served in the U.S. Forest Service, Federal Transit Administration and on the Issaquah City Council before joining the Legislature. He was also the longtime leader of Dance All Night in the Cascade foothills, where he taught ballroom, salsa and swing dancing. His wife, Sarah Perry, is a King County Council member. She called Ramos her 'dance partner in life.' 'Bill was a mentor and friend to all who asked, quick with a smile and reassuring word, and always willing to drop whatever he was doing to be of service,' Perry said in a statement. She said he often would run through Issaquah's many trails to 'relieve stress during a busy legislative session' and 'reconnect to the forests and hills he loved that shaped his career.' Elected to the state House in 2018, he quickly became one of the Legislature's leading voices on transportation issues. In the House, he helped author a nearly $17 billion transportation funding package. And in the Senate, to which he was elected in November, he was one of the lead negotiators over the state's next two-year transportation budget. Ramos grew up in East Oakland, California. He received his degree in forest sciences from Humboldt State University in California. With the Forest Service, he worked in Washington state, in North Bend and Enumclaw, serving in leadership roles focused on timber and ecosystem management as well as recreation, according to a biography on his legislative website. From 2005 to 2013, Ramos worked in the Federal Transit Administration as a community planner focused on the Tribal Transit Program. He was also the tribal liaison to the Pacific Northwest's Indigenous communities. And directly before joining the Legislature, he was an Issaquah City Council member from 2016 to 2019. In the House, Ramos served as the chair of the State Government and Tribal Relations Committee. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said Ramos worked on legislation 'to ensure more effective, accountable, and equitable government for all people in Washington.' 'He was also a tireless champion for improving our transportation system, making our communities safer, and protecting Washington's natural resources and outdoor spaces,' Jinkins continued. Tributes poured in for Ramos over the weekend, including from members of Congress and Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson. Ferguson remembered last seeing Ramos and Perry a week ago at an event. 'It was a typical conversation with them — big hugs, wide smiles, and lots of laughter,' the governor said. 'I will so miss him.' The Senate began its floor action Monday morning with a moment of silence in honor of Ramos. His desk was covered with flowers. He is survived by Perry and two adult children, Max and Maya, among others. His wife said she will share more details on services later. The King County Council has 30 days to appoint Ramos' replacement from a list of candidates from the local Democratic Party.
