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OAH Applies for Washington State Quality Award

Olympia, October 16, 2007 - The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) submitted its 2007 Washington State Quality Award Application for consideration by the Washington State Quality Award's Board of Examiners.

The WSQA Program champions the concepts and tools of quality as a strategic approach to organizational excellence. It is modeled after the national Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and uses this model as the primary standard for government performance evaluation and improvement.

"OAH has been enriched by the institutional self evaluation of the WSQA application process. The 2007 OAH application will advance our mission of conducting fair and independent hearings and issuing sound and timely decisions," said Chief Judge Roosevelt Currie.

The WSQA Program provides feedback and recognition to award applicants. The WSQA organization subjects each application to intensive evaluation by examiners.

Judge Alicea-Galvan Appointed Municipal Court Judge

Des Moines, October 12, 2007 - OAH warmly congratulates Veronica Alicea-Galvan on her recent appointment to the Des Moines, Washington Municipal Court bench. Judge Alicea-Galvan served as an ALJ at OAH for over five years, and was sworn in October 12, 2007.

Judge Alicea-Galvan's extensive experience as an ALJ, district court judge pro tem, and as a prosecutor prepared her well for this appointment. Although her departure is a loss for OAH, citizens of Des Moines will benefit from her experience and talent. OAH is grateful for her years of distinguished service.

Distinguished ALJ and Scholar Passes Away

Tacoma, June 7, 2007 - Frank Homan, a highly regarded ALJ at OAH for many years, passed away on May 19 in Tacoma. He was 84 years old. One of the original OAH ALJs, Judge Homan began his OAH career in 1982 after working for years as an Employment Security hearing examiner. Though Judge Homan retired from OAH in June 1992, he continued to work periodically as an ALJ pro tem until 2003.

The WSBA Administrative Law Section honors Judge Homan with its annual Frank Homan Award for the legal professional who has made outstanding lifetime contributions to administrative law. The first Frank Homan Award was presented recently at a WSBA ceremony where he and his family were present. He was very proud of his namesake award.

In selecting Judge Homan as the namesake for its award, the WSBA paid tribute to him as follows: "Two qualities distinguish Judge Homan's career: He was a dedicated teacher and mentor; and he was passionate about improving the law. Judge Homan received a B.A. degree in English and history, and a M.A. degree in American History, from the University of Pennsylvania (1949/1950, respectively), and a J.D. from Cleveland State University of Law (1965). He began legal practice in the state of Washington in 1968. His career as an instructor and assistant professor of law was capped by his service as an Employment Security Department Hearings Examiner, 1970-1974, and Senior Administrative Law Judge, Office of Administrative Hearings, 1975-1993.

Judge Homan was an early proponent for the creation of a central hearings panel, and played a seminal role in the enactment of Chapter 34.12 RCW and creation of the Office of Administrative Hearings. Among his peers, Judge Homan was generous with his time and expertise, and he is well-remembered for his sense of humor, his command of the English language, and his writing style - including his knowledge of legal terminology and history. Judge Homan received several awards in recognition of his teaching and professional excellence, including a Reginald Heber Smith Poverty Law Fellowship from the Legal Services Corporation. Judge Homan's commitment to promoting justice for all and the practice of administrative law is the inspiration for this award."

OAH Media Contacts

Public Information Officer - Primary Media Contact
Senior Administrative Law Judge Stephanie Croom-Williams - (360) 753-3431

Public Disclosure Officer - Secondary Media Contact
Executive Assistant Roni Pettit - (360) 586-3169