State Sen. Rodney Tom has been selected by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) to receive the 2009 Torch of Leadership Award. The award honors a state-level public servant who has demonstrated support of principals and the principalship in the education of all students. Tom, who represents Kirkland’s 48th District, was honored by AWSP for his commitment to K-12 education during the 2009 Legislative Session.

According to AWSP Director of Governmental Relations Jerry Bender, Tom has kept education a top priority, even when the demands of a downward economy made it difficult to do so. As a member of the Basic Education Funding Task Force, Tom helped craft a bill that ushers in a new plan for the full funding of K-12 basic education in the state. He also backed bills supporting the state’s principal internship program and the Washington State Leadership Academy.