Tag Archives: Eastern Washington University

Senate approves resolution honoring former EWU football star Cooper Kupp

Two weeks after he was named most valuable player in the Los Angeles Rams’ 23-20 Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Yakima native and former Eastern Washington University football star Cooper Kupp received an honor closer to home when the Senate today passed a resolution celebrating his football career, work ethic and humility.

The resolution recognizing Kupp was sponsored by 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy, R-Cheney, and 14th District Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima. The resolution can be viewed here.

Kupp, who starred in football and basketball at Davis High School in Yakima, set several national records as wide receiver at Eastern before being drafted in the third round by the Rams in 2017. Kupp was named first-team All-Pro for the recently concluded 2021 season after leading the National Football League in receptions   (145, second most in a season in NFL history), receiving yards (1,947, also second most in a season in league history) and receiving touchdowns (16).

During his floor speech on the resolution, Holy, whose district includes EWU, said there is more to Cooper Kupp than his amazing athletic performances.

“Let’s talk about being a role model,” said Holy. “Cooper Kupp is a family man who, along with being a man of strong faith and moral base, also seems to understand that he has an opportunity to provide an example for others and to be a role model for those coming behind him.

“Cooper Kupp seems to live his faith in his involvement in the community and several charitable organizations, including Spokane’s own Second Harvest. Focus, achievement, loyalty, role model. Today I’m proud to honor Cooper Kupp, not only as a role model for so many, but the quality of man that we’d all like to have as a friend,” added Holy.

TVW’s coverage of the reading of the floor resolution and Holy’s comments about Kupp can be viewed here.

Holy: New state capital budget funds key projects in Airway Heights, Cheney

A compromise two-year state capital budget agreement that could receive votes by the Senate and House of Representatives as soon as tomorrow includes money for two key infrastructure projects in Airway Heights and Cheney that will help both projects be fully funded, said 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy.

The capital budget includes $14.955 million to help the city of Airway Heights dig a much-needed new water well, and $11.05 million in funding for the Cheney “purple pipe” project that will help that community reduce the amount of water it needs to pull out of the ground.

“I’m glad I was able to help secure funding in the new capital budget for these two water projects that will greatly benefit Cheney and Airway Heights,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “After Congress provided COVID-19 stimulus funding to our state earlier this year, I worked hard to make sure part of that stimulus funding was used to help fund both the Airway Heights water project and the Cheney ‘purple pipe’ project. I’m glad Senate and House capital budget negotiators fulfilled my funding requests for these two important projects for these two communities.”

The compromise capital budget also funds several projects at Eastern Washington University in Cheney:

  • Science Building renovation ($45 million)
  • Infrastructure renewal ($10 million)
  • Minor works preservation ($3 million)
  • Preservation and maintenance backlog reduction ($2.217 million)
  • Minor works program ($1 million)

Other 6th District projects funded in the capital budget include:

  • Spokane Falls Community College Fine and Applied Arts Building replacement ($19.342 million)
  • Department of Natural Resources’ Airway Heights facility replacement ($4.2 million)
  • Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Spokane hatchery renovation ($2.8 million)
  • Department of Corrections preservation projects ($2.27 million)
  • Eastern State Hospital emergency electrical system upgrade ($1.055 million)
  • Ashley House in Spokane ($552,000)
  • Cheney Depot rehabilitation project ($306,000)

Senate and House negotiators reached a final agreement on the state capital budget earlier this week. The Senate and House are expected to vote on it tomorrow or this weekend. The 2021 legislative session is scheduled to end on Sunday.