International Community Health Services (ICHS) mourns the passing of Rep. Frank Chopp, former Washington State Speaker of the House and State Representative.

Rep. Chopp was a stalwart advocate for ICHS’ Ron Chew Healthy Aging and Wellness Center Capital Campaign (formerly known as AiPACE). He saw the project as a way to deliver health services and bring affordable housing together in one location, serving the community. As one of the first elected officials to advocate for the project, his influence was invaluable to ICHS.

“He was a coalition builder,” says Kelli Nomura, ICHS CEO. “Frank shared a deep commitment to creating vibrant, healthier communities. He was one of our strongest advocates. A quiet force who brought people together. We remember him for his heart and his service.”

Rep. Chopp was first elected to the House in 1994 representing the 43rd Legislative District. He would go on to become the state’s longest-serving speaker of the House from 1999 to 2019.

While best known for his championing of affordable housing legislation and projects, Rep. Chopp was also an advocate for expanding access to health care services for all Washingtonians. He advocated for new models of care that were more comprehensive, bringing healthcare and housing together under one roof.

ICHS’ partnership with Rep. Chopp actually predates his time in legislature to when he was the executive director of the Fremont Public Association, now known as Solid Ground, a social service nonprofit providing food, housing, and employment resources.

When ICHS began planning for the Ron Chew Healthy Aging and Wellness Center, ICHS leaders knew to reach out to Rep. Chopp. He was the one who proposed the north parking lot of Pacific Medical Centers building in North Beacon Hill for the project.

“The project would not be possible without Frank and his commitment to addressing housing affordability and displacement,” said Nomura. “His support has been invaluable for the public funding and public support to launch this development.”

He helped ICHS meet with state lawmakers early on, to voice ICHS’ vision of the PACE model of care to enable low-income, nursing-home eligible adults to live independently at home or in the community. Rep. Chopp was always willing to have a “one-on-one” meeting to help ICHS meet with elected officials and their offices. He used his natural coalition talents to support ICHS in completing the project.

SCIDpda wrote in their tribute to Rep. Chopp: "His dedication to this site—and his vision for families to live affordably on one of the city’s most beautiful and historic campuses—was instrumental. Without his advocacy and efforts to secure millions in funding, this project would not have been possible. His legacy lives on through the many transformative developments he championed across the state.”

Read Representative Frank Chopp’s full obituary, where you can share condolences and memories: https://everloved.com/life-of/frank-chopp/obituary/