Full Name:
Karen Fraser
Gender:
Female
Family:
Widowed; 1 Child: Hiromi
Birth Date:
09/12/1944
Birth Place:
Seattle, WA
Home City:
Olympia, WA
Religion:
Episcopalian
Masters, Public Administration, University of Washington, 1969
Attended, Summer Language Institute, Yale University, 1966
BA, Sociology, University of Washington, 1966
Former Senator, Washington State Senate, 1993-present
Former Member, Puget Sound Council
Representative, Washington State House of Representatives, 1989-1992
Commissioner, Thurston County, 1981-1988
President, Washington State Association of Counties, 1987-1988
Member, City Council, Lacey, Washington, 1973-1980
Mayor, City of Lacey, 1976-1980
Minority Caucus Chair, Washington State Senate, 2011-present
Member, Executive Committee, Council of State Governments - West, present
Board Member, Olympic Trials Legacy Committee, present
Former Ranking Minority Member, Accountability and Reform Committee, Washington State Senate
Former Chair, Administrative Rules Review Committee, Washington State Senate
Former Co-Chair, Canada Relations Committee, Council of State Governments
Former Member, Constitutional Alternatives Commission
Former Member, Economic Development and International Relations Committee, Washington State Senate
Former Member, Energy Committee, Council of State Governments - West
Former Member, Energy, Natural Resources and Marine Waters Committee, Washington State Senate
Member, Environment Committee, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
Former Chair, Environment, Energy, Water, and Parks Committee, Washington State Senate
Former Member, Environment, Water and Energy Committee, Washington State Senate
Member, Executive Committee, Council for State Governments
Former Vice Chair, Joint Legislate Oversight Committee on Trade Policy, Washington State Legislature
Former Chair, Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Supply
Former Member, Joint Select Committee on Energy Supply & Energy Conservation, Washington State Senate
Former Member, Joint Select Committee on Junior Taxing Districts, Municipal Corporations, and Local Government Finance, Washington State Legislature
Founder/Former Co-Chair, Legislative International Caucus
Former Co-Chair, National Environment Committee, Council of State Governments
Former Member, Natural Resources and Marine Waters Committee, Washington State Senate
Former Member, Natural Resources and Parks Committee, Washington State Senate
Former Member, Nuclear Waste Roundtable, National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL)
Former Co-Chair, River Governance Council, Council of State Governments
Former Member, River Governance Council, Council of State Governments
Former Member, Rules Committee, Washington State Senate
Former Chair, Select Committee on Pension Policy
Former Member, Trade Policy Committee, Washington State Senate
Former Member, Trade Policy, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee, Washington State Senate
Former Member, Washington State Parks Centennial Advisory Committee
Founder, Washington-Hyogo Legislative Friendship Association
Former Vice Chair/Capital Budget Chair, Ways and Means Committee, Washington State Senate
Representative on Two Panels, Council of State Governments-West, 6th World Water Forum, France, 2012
Board Member, Washington State Information Services, 2005-2011
Member, Governors Budget Transformation Task Force, 2010
Member, Joint Task Force on School Construction Finance, 2009
Member, Washington State Convention & Trade Center Expansion Study Work Group, 2009
Member, Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought, 2005
Member, State Treasurers Advisory Committee on Alternative Capital Projects Funding, 2005
Member, Water Rights Disputes Task Force, 2003-2005
Member, Deaf Education Task Force, 2003
Member, Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) Task Force, 2003
Member, Joint Task Force on Judicial and Administrative Alternatives for Resolving Water Disputes, 2002
Memer, Task Force on Energy Facility Siting Statutes, 2000
Member, Water Storage Task Force, 2000
Member, Legislative Building Preservation and Renovation Commission, 1999
Member, Western Water Policy Committee, Council of State Governments, 1999
Chair, Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Water, Western Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments, 1994-1996
Chair, Joint Committee on Water Resource Policy, 1993
Chair, Nisqually River Basin Task Force, 1986-1988
Professor, Public Administration, The Evergreen State College, 1999-present
Member/Founder, Advisory Board, Washington Women's History Consortium, 2005-present
Member, Advisory Committee, Capitol Campus Design, 1995-present
Chair, Washington-Hyogo Legislative Friendship Association, 1994-present
Member, Advisory Board, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, present
Member, Advisory Board, William D. Ruckelshaus Center, University of Washington, present
Member, Board of Trustees, Humanities Washington, present
Member, Capital Campus Design Advisory Committee, present
Member, Lacey Leadership Council, present
Member, Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, National Council of State Legislatures, present
Member, Technology Services Board, present
Member, Thurston County Democrats, present
Board Member, Washington Institute for Public Policy, present
Member, Advisory Board, Washington Womens History Consortium
Member, Advisory Council, Thurston Mason Environmental Education Association of Washington
Former Member, Board of Trustees, State Capital Historical Association
Former Member, Executive Committee, Asia and Pacific Parliamentarians' Conference on Environment and Development
Former Founding Board Member, Nisqually River Basin Land Trust
Chair, Nisqually River Council
Member, University of Washington Evans School Visiting Committee
Former Chair, Washington Institute for Public Policy
Member, Washington Combined Fund Drive Board, 2001-2005
Board Member, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, 1998-2005
Member, Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program (LEAP) Committee, 2001-2002
Member, North Puget Sound Oil Spill Risk Management Panel, 1999
Member, Asia Foundation Environmental Fellow, 1994
Member, Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, 1985-1988
First Chair, Nisqually River Council, 1987-1988
Co-Chair, Host Committee of Women's Olympic Marathon Trials Association, 1984
Vice President/Treasurer, Tumwater Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1980's
Awards:
Certificate of Appreciation awarded to Senator Karen Fraser in recognition of 28 years in the Washington State Legislature and supporting the children of Washington State and K-12 Education, March 2016
India South Sound Association "Chief Guest"at their Diwali 2015 Festival of Lights
"Outstanding Woman Leader in Washington State" Award, Seattle Chapter of the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women, 2015
Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation, 2014
The Inaugural Washington Water Leadership Award, The Center for Environmental Law & Policy, 2014
Distinguished Leader Award, Leadership Thurston County and Thurston County Chamber Foundation, 2014
"Global Connect" Award, Olympia World Affairs Council, 2014
Appreciation Award from Governor of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, for promoting international friendship and leadership, 2013
Luis Fernando Esteban Public Service Award for promoting Hispanic relations in Washington State, 2012
Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, Caucus Leader Award, 2011
Citation of Merit, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, 2005
Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (Washington's Sister State), Award for contribution to international friendships, 2009
Legislator of the Year, Washington State Arts Council, 2009
Special Appreciation, Washington Parks and Recreation Foundation, 2009
Legislator of the Year, Washington State Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice, in recognition of her work for social, economic and environmental justice in Washington State, 2009
Senator of the Year, Washington Farm Forestry Association, 2007
Legislative Excellence Award, Washington State School Retirees Association, 2007
Hero Award, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, 2005
Certificate of Appreciation, Washington State Coalition for the Homeless, for Leadership and dedication to increasing the Housing Trust Fund, 2005
Super Star, Washington State Skills Center, 2005
Woman of Distinction, Olympia YWCA, 2004
Seventh Generation Legacy Award, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, 2004
Leadership Award, Washington State Combined Fund Drive Board, 1999 and 2004
"Fearless Leader, Justice Seeker, Faithful to the Democratic Vision" Award, Panorama Democratic
Study Group, 2004
Service Award, Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 2004
Co-Legislator of the Year, Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association, 2003
Puget Sound Hero Award, People for Puget Sound, 2001
Leadership Recognition for the Neah Bay Rescue Tug, Governor Gary Locke, 2003
Conservation Champion, Washington Conservation Voters, 2002
VIP Award, Washington State College Women's Programs Council, 2002
Leadership Award, Washington Association of School Administrators, District 113, 2001
Leadership Counts Award, Washington Public Employees Association, 2000
Legislator of the Year, Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, 2000
Legislative Citation of Merit, Washington Recreation and Parks Association, 1998
Program Leadership Award, Nisqually River Management Program, 1998
Distinguished Leadership Recognition, Association of Washington Housing Authorities, 1998
Certificate of Appreciation, Washington Federation of State Employees members of the Judicial Staff of the Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, 1998
Legislator of the Year, Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association, 1996
Legislator of the Year, Washington Health Care Association, 1996
Legislator of the Year and Puget Sound Hero, People for Puget Sound, 1995
Woman of Distinction, Pacific Peaks Girl Scout Council, 1995
Toll Fellow, Council of State Governments, 1993
Outstanding Leadership Award, Washington State Boating Safety Officers Association, 1993
Silver Beaver Award, for service to youth, Boy Scouts of America
Woman Who Wins Award, a community recognition award sponsored by The Olympian and KGY radio
Finalist, Thurston County Citizen of the Year (twice)
Legislator of the Year, Washington Federation of State Employees, 1993
Number of Grandchildren:
2 Grandchildren
Priority Issues:
As Lt. Governor, my goals are to:
-To preside in the State Senate in an experienced manner that clearly upholds the high values of democracy and public trust.
-To promote the public good, with justice, equity, and respect for all.
-To provide experienced leadership in the state's international relationships.
-To make wise decisions for the future of our inspiring State Capitol Campus.
-To work with the Governor as a constructive partner and be prepared to serve as Governor when and if necessary.