Dick Muri

Dick Muri

Speech at Pierce County Kickoff
Washington State Representative from the 28th Legislative District, Position 1
Assumed office
July 3, 2013 (2013-07-03)
Preceded by Steve O'Ban
Pierce County Council, Position 6
In office
November 19, 2003 (2003-11-19) – December 31, 2012 (2012-12-31)
Preceded by Paul A. Bocchi
Succeeded by Douglas Richardson
Personal details
Born Richard Walter Muri
(1953-11-30) November 30, 1953
Fairbanks, Alaska
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Mary L. (Burns) Muri
Residence Steilacoom, Washington
Alma mater University of Massachusetts Amherst (B.S.)
Golden Gate University (M.P.A.)
Website Official
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service 1975 – 1997 (22 years)
Rank Lieutenant colonel

Richard Walter "Dick" Muri (born November 30, 1953) is an American politician of the Republican Party. He is a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 28th legislative district.[1] Muri was appointed to the Washington State House of Representatives following (now former) State Representative Steve O'Ban's appointment to the Washington State Senate after State Senator Mike Carrell's death.[2] From 2003 to 2012, he served as a Republican member of the Pierce County Council, representing the 6th District.[3] In 2010, he ran as a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Washington's 9th congressional district against incumbent Democratic Congressman Adam Smith, eventually losing to Smith by nearly 10 points.[4] In 2012, he again ran, this time in Washington's 10th congressional district against Denny Heck, losing by 17 points.[5]

Muri, a Gulf War veteran, served 22 years in the United States Air Force. He and his wife are residents of Steilacoom, Washington.

Personal life and career

Life and family

Pierce County Councilmember and Congressional candidate Richard Walter “Dick” Muri was born November 30, 1953 in Fairbanks, Alaska. He graduated from Ashland High School in Ashland, Massachusetts in 1971 and received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1975 and his Masters of Public Administration from Golden Gate University 1988.

Dick has been married since 1979 to Mary Muri (formerly Mary Burns - Lakes HS '75) and has four children, Jennifer, Jonathan, Sarah, and Bradley. Dick and Mary have six grandchildren.

Military service

Dick was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force in 1975. He earned his navigator wings in 1976 and flew the C-141 Starlifter as a Navigator. Muri served in the Gulf War from 1990-1991 as Deputy Commander of the 628th Military Airlift Support Squadron at Incirlik Airbase, Turkey.

From 1992-1997, Muri was Chief of Quality Management for McChord Air Force Base, directing a program that won numerous awards for excellence from the United States Air Force and Washington state. He retired as a Lt. Colonel with 22 years military experience.

Governmental leadership

Dick Muri took office as Pierce County Councilmember District 6 on November 19, 2003, serving Lakewood, Steilacoom, DuPont, Roy, McKenna, Fort Lewis, McChord AFB, and the island communities of Anderson, McNeil, and Ketron.

Muri served in leadership positions as Chair of the Performance Audit Committee, Vice-Chair of both the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Board and Select Committee for Emergency Preparedness, and Co-Chair of the Criminal Justice Task Force.

Muri was a member of the following county council standing committees: Community Development, Economic Infrastructure & Development, and Public Safety & Human Services.

External Boards and Commissions include the Joint City-Council Open Space Determination Board, Law and Justice Community Oversight Committee, Pierce County Reserve Officers Board of Trustees, Pierce Transit Board, Rainier Communications Commission, Zoo & Trek Authority (ZTA), Safe Streets, and Pierce County Law and Justice Council. Muri ran for his second term for Pierce County Councilmember District 6, promising to continue being the most accessible elected official for the Council, and offering a strong record of open, efficient, and responsible County government.

As chairman of the Performance Audit Committee, Muri worked with the Justice Management Institution to improve the processes involved in the Pierce County judicial system.

As a Councilmember, Muri was committed to supporting veterans and protecting their 50,000 family wage jobs at Joint Base Lewis McChord. He is also heavily involved with conservation and land preservation projects around the district, such as protecting the undeveloped 18-acre (73,000 m2) Salter’s Point woods in Steilacoom and expanding Lakewood’s Wards Lake Park.

Community service

Muri received the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce John H. Anderson Military Citizen of the Year Award for 1996 and was inducted into the Fort Lewis Civilian Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Fort Lewis in January 2006. Other community recognition includes the 2002 Washington State District Three Middle School Wrestling Coach of the Year Award.

He is Past President of the Steilacoom Kiwanis Club - a community partner with the 1st Military Police Brigade at Fort Lewis; a former member of the Steilacoom Historical School District #1 Board of Directors; Co-founder and Director of the Steilacoom Lakewood Youth Wrestling Association; Past President of the Steilacoom Kiwanis Club; member of Bates Management Training Center Board of Directors; and active member of many local Veteran organizations.

Congressional Campaigns

Muri challenged Democratic incumbent Adam Smith for Washington's 9th congressional district. Smith defeated Muri 55% to 45% to remain in office.[6]

In 2012 Muri ran again for Congress, this time in the newly created 10th Congressional District.

Muri was defeated in his bid to become the district's first congressman by former state legislator Denny Heck 58.6% to 41.4%.

Washington State House of Representatives

Appointment

On May 29, 2013, longtime state legislator Senator Mike Carrell died from complications with myelodysplastic syndrome. On June 5, 2013, Representative Steve O'Ban was appointed by the Pierce County Council to fill the vacant seat in the State Senate.

On July 3, 2013, Muri was unanimously appointed by the Pierce County Council to fill the seat vacated by O'Ban.

Legislative Campaigns

2014

Muri ran to retain his seat against Democrat challenger Mary Moss. Muri prevailed 57.8% to 42.2%.

Tenure

Muri serves as the assistant ranking member on the Education Committee and also serves on Judiciary, Transportation and Higher Education.


References

  1. ↑ "Pierce County Council OKs Dick Muri for state House". thenewstribune.com. 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  2. ↑ "State Sen. Mike Carrell of Lakewood dead at 69". thenewstribune.com. 2013-05-29. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  3. ↑ "Pierce County Council History". co.pierce.wa.us. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  4. ↑ "GOP picks up 3rd Congressional District seat from Dems". seattletimes.com. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  5. ↑ "Denny Heck gets set to represent the 10th District in D.C.". thenewstribune.com. 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2013-09-24.
  6. ↑ http://www.rollcall.com/race_detail/district-2010-WA-09.html?cqp=1


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