“He could have enjoyed a lot of material things, but when he got a second chance in life, he chose service.”
Senator Mark Schoesler
In addition to helping K-12 education, Sen. Hill would also usher in reductions in tuition at Washington’s four-year and community colleges.
In Washington state, Sen. Hill passed the Vulnerable Individuals Priority Act in 2013, providing valuable care for those with developmental disabilities. Originally from Redmond, Sen. Hill represented Washington State Legislative District 45, located Northeast of Seattle, and served as the chief GOP budget writer. Bellingham is part of District 42. Sen. Hill was known to reach across political lines and work with his Democratic opponents often. After his cancer diagnosis, those close to Sen. Hill say that he turned his mind to helping his community. “He could have enjoyed a lot of material things, but when he got a second chance in life, he chose service,” said Senator Mark Schoesler in an interview with The Seattle Times. “[Sen. Hill] spoke often about how much he loved the people and communities he represented and how honored he was to serve them,” said State Senator Joe Fain in a released statement about Sen. Hill’s death. A memorial service for Sen. Hill will be held on Friday, Nov. 11, in Redmond.