On Saturday, September 25, 2010 the students of Seattle Tae Kwon Do and residents of Mountlake Terrace honored Washington State Senator Paull Shin with an honorary 3rd Degree Black Belt. Senator Shin has had a long standing history of public service. His story is a modern day rags to riches, success story. He was an orphan from South Korea that was adopted at age 16 and brought to the U.S. He went from G.E.D. to Ph. D at the University of Washington. He then went on to teach at college level for 31 years. In 1993-4 he was a State Representative and from 1994 to present he has served in the Washington State Senate. This was the first time that Senator Paull Shin was recognized in the city of Mountlake Terrace, also Mountlake Terrace City Councilman John Zambrano was in attendance to welcome and congratulate Senator Shin on behalf of the city. The Honorary 3rd Degree Black Belt was presented by Master Brandon Richards, 7th Degree Black Belt was the official presenter. This is the highest Honorary Black Belt ever presented in Washington State history. In the mid 90’s Governor Gary Lock and Mayor Norm Rice both received Honorary 2nd Degree Black Belts. The students of Seattle Tae Kwon Do and the residents of Mountlake Terrace are very grateful for the fine public service of Senator Paull Shin. “It was our honor to recognize Senator Shin’s lifetime of sacrifice and selfless public service” stated Master Brandon Richards. 