WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has been a resident of Yakima for
34 years; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has played a major role in
building a stronger and more unified community in Yakima; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has been the executive director of
Allied Arts of Yakima Valley for over 13 years; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has researched, contracted,
promoted, and coordinated up to ten live, affordable Family Theatre
Series performances; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has been instrumental in bringing
theater programs to the lower Yakima Valley; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has coordinated the first Juried
Poetry Contest, and Reading and Coffeehouse, allowing local voices to
be heard, read, and recognized; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has expanded components in the
last 13 years including: ArtsVan Arts in Education, Summer ArtsVan,
the One-on-One program, and ArtsVan Music Program; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has created the artist in
residency; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has brought the diverse population
of Yakima together through Allied Arts with such projects as the
Mariachi Initiative; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller is the founder of the Millennium
Arts Plaza in Yakima Valley, an arts-based community gathering place;
and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller creation has made the plaza a
symbol for what is possible for the future, by using the arts as a
catalyst for development; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller was involved in special events
that focused on providing new, entry level experiences for the
community of Yakima at-large; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller wrote grants, gained local
individuals' support, and collaborated with other agencies to fund
programs; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has been awarded the YWCA Woman of
Achievement in The Arts for Allied Arts Director in 1999; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller has been awarded a Certificate of
Appreciation for Allied Arts in May 2005 by Dr. Terry Bergeson, state
superintendent of public instruction; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Herres Miller is a recipient of the Governor's
Arts Award in 2007;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives
of the state of Washington honor the dedication of Elizabeth Herres
Miller, and celebrate Elizabeth Herres Miller's contribution and
commitment to making Washington a better place for all Washingtonians;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be
immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of
Representatives to the Yakima Herald Republic.