WHEREAS, The dairy farmers of Washington are working hard to
provide safe, nutritious dairy products for the families of Washington
state; and
WHEREAS, There are approximately 485 family dairy farms in
Washington state with approximately 235,000 dairy cows; and
WHEREAS, Washington state ranks tenth in total milk production in
the United States with 5.6 billion pounds annually; and
WHEREAS, Washington ranks second in milk production per cow with
23,055 pounds of milk; and
WHEREAS, Milk is the second highest dollar-valued agricultural
commodity produced in Washington, valued at 688 million dollars; and
WHEREAS, Dairy farming has an annual economic impact of 3.5 billion
dollars; and
WHEREAS, Milk processing jobs help employment growth in Washington.
Every 1 million dollars in finished milk product is responsible for
twenty jobs in our state; and
WHEREAS, Washington state dairy farmers lost more than 700 animals
during the December 2007 storm worth millions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State Dairy Ambassadors for 2007-2008 are
Ambassador Kalin Fohn of Mount Vernon and alternate Ambassadors Whitney
Chamberlain, representing Grant/Adams Counties, and Tasha Daniel of
Yakima Valley; and
WHEREAS, Dairy Day at the Legislature is January 30, 2008, when the
legislators will visit with the dairy producers of the state and enjoy
ice cream bars that will be handed out by the Washington State Dairy
Federation and the state and county Dairy Ambassadors;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate
acknowledge and honor the women and men whose work on dairy farms
throughout Washington has contributed much to the strength and vitality
of our economy, the character of our communities, and the general well-being of our citizens; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be
immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Washington
State Dairy Ambassador Kalin Fohn, alternate Ambassadors Whitney
Chamberlain and Tasha Daniel, and the Washington State Dairy
Federation.