Dan Newhouse: “Today I rise to recognize Gary Peterson, a dedicated leader hailing from the Tri-Cities, who tragically lost his battle…”

“Today I rise to recognize Gary Peterson, a dedicated leader hailing from the Tri-Cities, who tragically lost his battle with cancer this past month. It saddens me that rather than announcing his next greatest achievement, I am instead here to mourn his passing. Gary was known throughout central Washington, the United States Capitol, and the Department of Energy as a fierce advocate for the interests of the Tri-Cities. His leadership in our communities proved fruitful for decades, sparking both economic development and innovation for the citizens of central Washington. His advocacy for the Hanford cleanup mission has been the cornerstone of the success of our region, and I am in awe of the impact he has made over the years. His immense knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of our community's priorities was matched by so few, and I have no doubt his name will go down in history with the names of people like Sam Volpentest and Bob Ferguson. Gary's legacy includes leading advocacy for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's campus, supporting the advancements of the Hanford cleanup mission, and advocating for the growing local economy at TRIDEC. He will be known as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and personal friend. He will be missed, but his legacy will continue to live on. ____________________”