Recognizing the Contributions of Mary Yu

Floor Speech

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Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Justice Mary Yu. Justice Yu will retire at the end of this year after over 25 years of distinguished service on the bench, including more than a decade on the Washington State Supreme Court. Her tenure is marked by an unwavering commitment to fairness, dignity, and equity for all. She is a trailblazer, a champion for justice and a visionary leader in Washington's legal community.

As the first Asian American, the first Latina, and the first LGBTQ+ justice to serve on our state's highest court, she has brought an unparalleled depth of experience and perspective to the judiciary. She co-chaired the Minority and Justice Commission and chaired the Board for Judicial Administration's Public Trust and Confidence Committee. In these capacities, she worked to eliminate bias in all areas, including in jury pools, and build public trust and ensure fairness in state courts. She has been a champion for ensuring workers' rights and housing rights. Among many important rulings, she authored a unanimous ruling on a voting rights case that protected against discrimination based on race, color, and language. In 2012, she presided over the first same-sex marriages in Washington State, standing at the forefront of a historic civil rights milestone. Her compassion, warmth and belief in human dignity are evident in the many cases she has handled.

Off the bench, she has mentored countless law students, new attorneys and law clerks, taught as Jurist in Residence at Seattle University School of Law, volunteered for the Seattle Girls' School Mock Trials for nearly two decades, and co-chaired the Washington State Bar Association/University of Washington Law School Leadership Institute. Her commitment to fairness, diverse perspectives, and mentorship has made her not only a respected jurist, but a beloved role model in the legal community.

On behalf of Washington's 7th Congressional District and the countless lives she has touched, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Justice Mary Yu. Her service has bent the arc of justice further in our state, and her legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations to come, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating her extraordinary contributions to Washington State and to our country.

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