In the 39 years that I have lived in Federal Way, two elected officials stand out for their dedication to serving the poor, the underprivileged and the vulnerable.

The first was my friend, former state Rep. Mary Ann Mitchell, who was so devoted to seniors that we named a senior housing complex (Mitchell Place) and a street overpass after her.

The second is the late state Rep. Roger Freeman, whose reputation for effective legislation and caring for the most needy transcends the borders of his legislative district. With a degree in law, he could have chosen a lucrative career.

Instead, he chose to defend those who need help most. People from as far away as Redmond and the Kitsap Peninsula have told me how lucky I was to have a representative who cared for people from all walks of life. Thank you, Roger, for caring about others rather than serving yourself.

James Grayson, Federal Way