The Senate today took a break from voting on the 99th day of its scheduled 105-day session to unanimously approve a resolution recognizing the career of Ben Soria, who is stepping down June 30 after nine years as Yakima School District superintendent and 21 years of service as a school administrator in Washington.

Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, who introduced Senate Resolution 8661, recalled Soria’s arrival in Yakima from Tacoma, saying he was “the right man at the right time for all the right reasons.”

“He truly cares about the children and the education of our children in our valley, far beyond the duties he has as superintendent,” said King. “I truly believe he is a visionary.

“He has kept us focused on what is important: the education of our children.”

Also speaking in honor of Soria were Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, chairwoman of the Senate K-12 and Early Learning Committee, who was among the resolution’s co-sponsors; Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee; and Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-South Tacoma, who recalled Soria’s years as a school administrator in her city.