Washington state Senate passes resolution honoring Pappy Boyington

Back on the Feb. 14th I blogged about the University of Washington’s student senate voting to reject a campus memorial in honor of UW alumnus and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Gregory “Pappy” Boyington. According to some who voted against the memorial, Colonel Boyington was not good enough to honor with a memorial.

In response to this, the AP reported yesterday that Sen. Luke Esser, a UW graduate, proposed the resolution to honor Colonel Boyington after hearing about what happened at UW. That resolution has passed in the Washington state Senate:

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The state Senate has passed a resolution to honor World War II hero Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, just weeks after the University of Washington student Senate shot down a measure to honor the UW alumnus.

Sen. Luke Esser, also a UW graduate, proposed the measure after what he deemed an “unfortunate” incident at his old school.

“He was one of the most heroic fighter pilots in American history,” said Esser, R-Bellevue. “Being a guy from UW, I’m proud of Huskies that go on to achieve great things.”

[...]

The resolution passed late Monday during a session attended only by the floor leaders of both parties.

“We wanted to give Pappy Boyington the honor he deserves,” said Democratic floor leader Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way. “His show was one of my all-time favorites. He was one of our all-time heroes.”

After catching so much flak, the UW student Senate was expected to consider a new way to honor Boyington – by recognizing all five former students who received the Medal of Honor. They include Deming Bronson, Robert Galer, Robert Leisy and William Nakamura.

The student Senate could vote on that proposal next week.

“Most students wanted something more inclusive,” said Lee Dunbar, student body president. “With this one we have pretty wide support.”

Thanks to state Senator Esser and all others in the Washington state Senate who voted to honor Colonel Boyington, a US hero more than worthy of a memorial befitting his service to our country.

(Hat tip: Karl at Leaning Straight Up)

Related Toldjah so posts:

• UW student senate will vote again on memorial
• Congressional Medal of Honor recipient not the ‘sort of person UW wanted to produce’