WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of Korea have maintained a respectful, supportive, and long-lasting friendship; and
     WHEREAS, The Republic of Korea and Washington state have enjoyed a fruitful relationship with strong economic ties, trade exchanges, and the sharing of knowledge; and
     WHEREAS, This mutually beneficial relationship is evident in the cooperation and bond between Lake Washington Technical College and the 43 Korean Polytechnic Colleges known as KOPO; and
     WHEREAS, The signing of the memorandum by Governor Christine Gregoire, Senator Paull Shin, and Dr. Yong Ung Park, chief executive officer of the Korea Polytechnic College Board, signified this growing tie; and
     WHEREAS, The visit today, January 23, 2007, by the Korean delegates: Dr. Soon Hie Kang, secretary to the president for Labor Affairs; Mr. Chang Hyun Park, director of the National Assembly; Mr. Kyung Mun Han, junior supervisor of the Ministry of Education; Mr. Kyong Sub Jung, deputy director of the Ministry of Labor Affairs; Dr. Sang Duk Lee, president of Korea Polytechnics; Dr. Joon Chul Eom, executive director of Korea Polytechnics; and Ms. Jung Hye Yoon, a KOPO coordinator, to Washington state further deepens the network of relations between the colleges; and
     WHEREAS, Earlier today, Governor Christine Gregoire proclaimed this as Korea Washington-Partners for Workforce Education Day;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That today the Washington state Senate honors the expanding collaboration between Washington state technical colleges and the 43 polytechnic colleges represented by KOPO; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Washington state Senate, members of the Korean delegation, KOPO, and Lake Washington Technical College.