The Washington State PTA presented its highest honor, the “Friend of Children Award,” to Reps. Pat Sullivan (D-Covington) and Skip Priest (R-Federal Way).

The award, which was announced at the association’s 97th convention in SeaTac earlier this month, recognizes “a group or individual performing outstanding work on behalf of children throughout the year,” according to Washington State PTA

President Scott Allen of Bellevue.

In pressenting the award, Allen noted that although the two legislators are divided by party, they have worked together as members of the Joint Legislative Task Force on Basic Education Funding, and on legislation passed in 2009 and 2010 to begin the implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations.

Allen added that “these two outstanding legislators have served a key role in furthering the cause of K-12 funding in

the state of Washington (and that) it is truly an honor for the (Washington State PTA) to be able to recognize them with the Friend of Children Award.”