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John McCoy (American politician)

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John McCoy
lulilaš
Member of the Washington Senate
from the 38th district
In office
November 27, 2013 – April 17, 2020
Preceded byNick Harper
Succeeded byJune Robinson
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 38th district
In office
January 13, 2003 – November 27, 2013
Preceded byAaron Reardon
Succeeded byJune Robinson
Personal details
Born
John Richard McCoy

(1943-10-29)October 29, 1943
Tulalip, Washington, U.S.
DiedJune 6, 2023(2023-06-06) (aged 79)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Janet Jean McCoy
(m. 1965)
Children3
Residence(s)Tulalip, Washington
Alma materEl Capitan High School
Profession
WebsiteOfficial website
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Air Force
Years of service1961–1981

John Richard McCoy (Lushootseed: lulilaš, October 29, 1943 – June 6, 2023) was a Tulalip politician of the Democratic Party based in the state of Washington. In 2013, he was appointed to the State Senate to fill a vacancy and represent the 38th Legislative District. He previously served more than 10 years in the Washington House of Representatives (2003–2013).

McCoy was the only self-identified Native American in the State Senate. In 2013, along with Jeff Morris (Tsimshian), he was one of the two Native Americans in the state legislature.[1]

Early life and professional career

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McCoy was born into a Tulalip family on the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Washington.[2] His Lushootseed name was lulilaš.[3] He attended local schools.

McCoy spent 20 years in the Air Force before retiring in 1981. He then became a computer technician at the White House, before leaving to start a career in the private sector.[4]

McCoy would later become active in tribal affairs. He served as general manager of Quil Ceda Village,[1] the tribe's new municipality established in 2001. It included a gaming casino and business park. In 2005 the tribe also opened a 125-store retail outlet, all part of its efforts to diversify the tribe's economy and provide new jobs.[5]

Political career

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McCoy joined the Democratic Party and became active. In 2002 he ran for office as state representative and won. He served from 2003 to 2013, being re-elected several times.[6]

In his fifth term in the state legislature, McCoy gained passage of a bill to establish a procedure "for the state to cede jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters on tribal lands to federal and tribal governments."[1] In 2013 he was chairman of the Community Development, Housing and Tribal Affairs Committee; vice chairman of the Environment Committee; and member of the Education Committee.[1]

McCoy also served as chairman of the executive committee of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators; there are 79 Native legislators in 18 states.[1]

On November 27, 2013, the Snohomish County Council selected McCoy to fill the vacancy left when Senator Nick Harper resigned. McCoy was the leading vote-getter of the Democratic Precinct Committee Officers in Washington's 38th Legislative District.[7] He retired from the State Senate on April 17, 2020, citing concerns about his health, and was succeeded by appointee June Robinson.[4]

Personal life

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McCoy had three daughters with his wife Jeannie; the family also had 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren as of 2023.[5] He died on June 6, 2023, at home in Tulalip.[2]

Awards and honors

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McCoy received the 2009 Fuse "Sizzle" Award. He was honored with the Strong Man Award for defending a citizens' clean energy initiative—Initiative-937—from major rollbacks. He brought two sides of the legislature together on the issue to reach a workable compromise.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Richard Walker, "7 Questions with John McCoy, Washington State Representative", Indian Country Today, January 16, 2013; accessed September 22, 2016
  2. ^ a b Whitycombe, Claire (June 8, 2023). "Longtime WA state Sen. John McCoy, champion of Indigenous rights, dies". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  3. ^ Bumbach, Jenelle (January 9, 2024). "Bill would rename curriculum to honor late Tulalip lawmaker". The Everett Herald. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Cornfield, Jerry (April 16, 2020). "Tulalip leader, state lawmaker John McCoy to retire". The Everett Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Dunn, Kayla J. (June 7, 2023). "State Sen. McCoy, who represented Tulalip and tribal causes, dies". The Everett Herald. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  6. ^ O'Sullivan, Joseph (April 16, 2020). "Washington state Sen. John McCoy, a longtime Democratic lawmaker, is stepping down". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  7. ^ "McCoy appointed to fill Harper's state Senate seat". November 27, 2013.
  8. ^ Fuse "Mother Jones" Award (Archived April 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine).
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