SR 8700

SENATE RESOLUTION
  8700
By Senators Fortunato and Wagoner
1     WHEREAS, This resolution recognizes and celebrates Yolanda
2 Cortinas Trout-Manuel as the first Latina Queen of Walla Walla Cinco
3 de Mayo, a title she earned at the age of 16, honoring her historic
4 achievement and her lifelong dedication to community service,
5 cultural representation, and public leadership; and
6     WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel was crowned the first
7 Latina Queen of Walla Walla Cinco de Mayo in 1968, in a pageant led
8 by Linda Franco and her mother, Emma Cortinas, marking a meaningful
9 milestone   for  the   Latino  community   and  reflecting progress,
10 inclusion, and the celebration of cultural heritage in Washington
11 state; and
12     WHEREAS, Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and raised in Walla
13 Walla, Washington, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel is the eighth of 18
14 siblings and the daughter of the late Mike and Emma Cortinas,
15 experiences that shaped her lifelong commitment to leadership,
16 family, and service; and
17     WHEREAS, For more than 15 years, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel
18 operated a bilingual early learning and daycare program in Walla
19 Walla, through which she supported working families, strengthened
20 early childhood education, and promoted bilingual and bicultural
21 learning, including service throughout 1996-2007; and
22     WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel's lifelong commitment to
23 service began in early learning and family advocacy, through which
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1 she ensured that children and families had access to safe,
2 nurturing, and culturally responsive environments; and
3     WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel served on the Auburn
4 City Council beginning in 2014, providing years of dedicated
5 leadership focused on transparency, public safety, and community
6 engagement; and
7     WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel demonstrated a strong
8 commitment to youth empowerment, and she supported and expanded
9 youth leadership programs and engaged young people with local
10 government; and
11     WHEREAS,    Yolanda   Cortinas   Trout-Manuel    consistently
12 emphasized the importance of community engagement through
13 regular town halls, thoughtful surveys, and open dialogue,
14 believing that accountable and accessible government empowers
15 residents and strengthens democracy; and
16     WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel's guiding belief that
17 progress is achieved through collective action, often expressed
18 in her words, "It's not about me, it's about all of us," shaped
19 her approach to leadership and public service; and
20     WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel retired from all
21 formal leadership and committee roles, after years of service on
22 regional, statewide, and national boards, including the Sound
23 Cities Association, King County Domestic Violence Initiative
24 Regional Task Force, National League of Cities Human Development
25 Committee,   Hispanic  Elected   Officials,   and  the  National
26 Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, as well
27 as service as Chair of the Wellness Committee and participation
28 on children, youth, public safety, justice, and water quality
29 advisory committees; and
30     WHEREAS, Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel has resided in
31 Auburn, Washington since 2000, and, with her husband Ron Manuel,
32 has built a life rooted in service, family, and community
33 engagement;
34     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state
35 of Washington recognize and honor Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel
36 as the first Latina Queen of Walla Walla Cinco de Mayo and
37 commend her for breaking barriers and uplifting cultural pride
38 across Washington state; and
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1     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of
2 Washington    acknowledge   Yolanda    Cortinas    Trout-Manuel's
3 significant contributions as a business owner, early learning
4 advocate, and public servant, and express appreciation for her
5 dedication to transparency, equity, and community-centered
6 leadership; and
7     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of
8 Washington celebrate Yolanda Cortinas Trout-Manuel's lifelong
9 commitment to youth, families, and community wellness, and
10 affirm the importance of inclusive leadership that reflects and
11 serves the diverse communities of Washington state.
12 I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate,
13 do hereby certify that this is a true and
14 correct copy of Senate Resolution 8700,
15 adopted by the Senate
16 March 4, 2026
17 SARAH BANNISTER
18 Secretary of the Senate
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