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).
John McCoy | |
|---|---|
lulilaš | |
| Member of the Washington Senate from the 38th district | |
| In office November 27, 2013 – April 17, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Nick Harper |
| Succeeded by | June Robinson |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 38th district | |
| In office January 13, 2003 – November 27, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Aaron Reardon |
| Succeeded by | June Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Richard McCoy October 29, 1943 Tulalip, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | June 6, 2023 (aged 79) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Janet Jean McCoy (m. 1965) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Tulalip, Washington |
| Alma mater | El Capitan High School |
| Profession |
|
| Website | Official website |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1961–1981 |
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
editMcCoy 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
editMcCoy 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
editMcCoy had three daughters with his wife Jeannie; the family also had 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren as of 2023[update].[5] He died on June 6, 2023, at home in Tulalip.[2]
Awards and honors
editMcCoy 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
edit- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
- ^ Bumbach, Jenelle (January 9, 2024). "Bill would rename curriculum to honor late Tulalip lawmaker". The Everett Herald. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Cornfield, Jerry (April 16, 2020). "Tulalip leader, state lawmaker John McCoy to retire". The Everett Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "McCoy appointed to fill Harper's state Senate seat". November 27, 2013.
- ^ Fuse "Mother Jones" Award (Archived April 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine).
External links
edit- Washington State Legislature—Rep. John McCoy, official WA House website
- Representative John McCoy (WA) profile at Project Vote Smart
- Follow the Money—John McCoy: