SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1992-8712

By Senators Talmadge, Snyder, Gaspard, von Reichbauer, West, Moore, Amondson, Anderson, Bailey, Barr, Bluechel, Bauer, Cantu, Conner, Craswell, Erwin, Hayner, Jesernig, M. Kreidler, Madsen, Matson, McCaslin, McDonald, McMullen, Metcalf, Murray, Nelson, Newhouse, Niemi, Oke, Owen, Patterson, Pelz, Rasmussen, Rinehart, Roach, Saling, Sellar, Skratek, A. Smith, L. Smith, Stratton, Sutherland, Thorsness, Williams and Wojahn

      WHEREAS, A major league baseball franchise is a valuable community asset in terms of spirit, employment, economic development, and family entertainment; and

      WHEREAS, Major league baseball is truly an international enterprise in terms of players, ownership, and fan enjoyment; and

      WHEREAS, The major league baseball franchise located in Seattle is for sale and, without sale to persons committed to retaining the franchise in Seattle, may be relocated; and

      WHEREAS, Sale of the franchise to persons committed to retention of the franchise in Seattle is in the best interests of the entire state; and

      WHEREAS, The state of Washington has significant cultural, economic, and historical ties with nations on the Pacific Rim and is a major trading partner with such nations; and

      WHEREAS, A bona fide offer has been made to the ownership of the franchise in Seattle; and

      WHEREAS, The offer has been made by persons who have demonstrated their intent to voluntarily and willingly agree to maintain the franchise in Seattle and forgo any legal option to relocate;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate urges the Commissioner of Major League Baseball to recognize and applaud the international appeal of baseball; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate urges the Commissioner to accept the realities of the economics of operating a franchise in a highly competitive market; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate urges the Commissioner to do everything in his power to remove any artificial barriers to the sale of the Seattle franchise to persons committed to retaining the franchise within the state of Washington; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate declares that any opposition to the sale of the Seattle franchise which is based on the national origin or country of residence of prospective owners is such an artificial barrier and the Commissioner should use his good offices to eliminate such barriers and encourage the owners of other franchises to approve the sale; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, the current owner of the Seattle franchise, the individuals who have offered to purchase the franchise, the Governor, the King County Executive, and the Mayor of Seattle.

I, Gordon A. Golob, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1992-8712,

adopted by the Senate January 27, 1992.

GORDON A. GOLOB

Secretary of the Senate