06.15.23

Cantwell Delivers Senate Floor Speech Honoring Late State Senator & Tribal Leader John McCoy

Across decades of public service, Sen. McCoy helped develop Tulalip economic engine Quil Ceda Village, secured tribal history in WA state curriculum; Cantwell: “John led a life that will be remembered for generations”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) delivered a speech on the Senate floor honoring the legacy of John Richard McCoy, a longtime Washington state legislator and leader within the Tulalip Tribes of Washington.

State Sen. McCoy, whose decades-long career in public service also included 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and a period as a computer programmer in the White House Situation Room during the Reagan Administration, died on June 6, 2023. He was 79.

“He was one of the longest serving Native American legislators in our state's history. His story was an inspiration and testament. He did overcome unbelievable odds. And most importantly, he showed what one person could do in achieving great service in the cause of others. John led a life and career that will be remembered for generations,” Sen. Cantwell said.

In 2001, he helped establish the Quil Ceda Village, a 500-acre business park that was the first of its kind – one of the Tulalip Tribes’ “greatest economic engine successes,” Sen. Cantwell said.

State Sen. McCoy served the State of Washington’s 38th district for nearly two decades -- in the Washington House of Representatives from 2003-2013, and in the State Senate from 2013 until his retirement in 2020.

“A tireless advocate for K-12 education, health care, environmental issues, and very importantly, a member of our legislature and an important outspoken person on tribal issues. One important piece of legislation John championed and created was the Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State curriculum … Since Time Immemorial, endorsed by all of Washington's 29 federally recognized Tribes, is curriculum that focuses on their history in the State of Washington. The lessons help students understand the importance of treaties, the history of Tribes in the Pacific Northwest, and the challenges of reservation life,”  Sen. Cantwell said.

“The knowledge of our students and what they're gaining about Tribes because of this has been invaluable, but it's just one example of what Senator McCoy's leadership at the state level helped provide,” she continued.

“He also expanded dental care. He passed legislation requiring telecommunication companies to provide call information to emergency responders. He helped emergency responders locate victims and patients more quickly. And he passed a bill that allowed our state to provide jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters on tribal lands to help with our government and government efficiency. These were all important roles and we can never say enough thanks to him and his family for that.”

Last week, at a U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing, Sen. Cantwell also took a moment to recognize State Sen. McCoy’s passing: “We will miss him dearly.” Sen. Cantwell’s comments came moments before the committee passed S. 1723, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act, addressing an issue of personal importance to Sen. McCoy. 

Video of Sen. Cantwell’s speech can be viewed HERE; audio HERE; and a transcript HERE. 

###