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Washington Senator Maria Cantwell Congratulates Dan and Nancy Evans for their Lifetime Achievement Award

The Democratic senator sent along a special video message to the former Republican governor and first lady.

By Dan Shafer October 27, 2017

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Daniel J. and Nancy Bell Evans, the former governor and first lady of Washington, respectively, are co-recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Seattle Business magazines Community Impact Awards program.

They received last night at the awards ceremony at the Museum of History & Industry, and Senator Maria Cantwell sent along a special video message of congratulations to Washington states original power couple.

Watch the video below:

Heres the full transcript of her comments:

Dan and Nancy, Im so sorry I cant be there personally tonight to wish you the best.

I cant think of two people more deserving of a lifetime achievement award than the two of you. You are Washington states original power couple. In the state legislature, the governors mansion, the halls of Congress, you have worked for the people of Washington for more than 50 years.

And during this time, when Dan was governor, you blazed a trail on womens rights, environmental issues and education. Dan appointed the first woman to upper management in washington state government. And in 1974, his administration released the first report on pay disparity between men and women in the United States.

Thank you to the Evanses for the leadership that youve provided in our state, for the first statewide Department of Ecology and the efforts to save over two million acres of wilderness. And thank you for Washington states community college system — one of the top in the nation. The Evergreen State University simply would not exist without Dans leadership and Nancys help.

And I always like to say behind every great man…well, people say behind every great man, theres a woman. Id like to amend that to say behind every great man, theres usually an even greater woman, and in this case, thats Nancy.

So Dan and Nancy, thank you for all your accomplishments on behalf of Washington state. Please accept this prestigious honor for lifetime achievement. Many generations of Washingtonians will continue to thank you.

See the full list of winners from the 2017 Seattle Business magazine Community Impact Awards here.

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