In this season of politician-bashing, we should be thankful for dedicated public servants who keep their word and are deeply committed to their job. Case in point: Ralph Munro, Washington Secretary of State, who is often seen wearing his Scottish plaids and playing his bagpipes at events around our state.

Munro, a Republican who was elected in 1980, decided not to run for re-election this year. So in early January, Ralph will head out of Olympia, leaving behind a legacy that elected leaders should emulate. Ralph Munro takes a stand. He is an unabashed supporter of the representative form of government. He respectfully disagrees with Washington’s “don” of initiatives, Tim Eyman, believing instead that better laws are made when elected men and women sit down at the table and hammer out their differences.

He is determined to find ways to encourage people to run for office. He challenged employers to work with their employees to make sure they are not left behind on the career ladder if they succeed in being elected.

As Secretary of State, Munro dedicated himself to opening up our state’s voting process. He believed that American citizens are blessed with the right to vote and he wanted it to be as easy as possible for them to do so.

Wherever he traveled, Munro served as our state’s unofficial ambassador, tirelessly promoting Washington and bringing back good ideas he thought might work.

I remember seeing him — decked out in ski togs — videotaping the license plates of Washington cars at an Oregon resort. When asked what he was doing, he said, “I want to show people in our state that we need a destination ski resort so they won’t have to drive as far and will spend their money back home.”

But Munro’s dedication extended beyond simple loyalty to our state. His deeply held patriotism was quietly evident in 1992. Being on active duty with the Washington National Guard for parts of the Gulf War, I watch Munro come to the McChord Air Force Base tarmac at all times of the day and night to send off and greet the troops. There was no fanfare, just a gentle pat on the back of our troops to let them know the citizens of our state cared. I vividly remember the comments of one returning soldier: “He (Munro) was there when we left, and he was there to welcome us home. He cared.”

Ralph Munro has always possessed a real sense of commitment and dedication. He has set the standard and for that, we should all be thankful.

(Editor’s Note: Don Brunell is president of the Association of Washington Business, Washington state’s chamber of commerce. Visit AWB on the Web at www.awb.org.).