BySenators Pedersen, Billig, Carlyle, Das, Dhingra, Fortunato, Frockt, Gildon, Hawkins, Holy, Honeyford, Hunt, King, Kuderer, Liias, Lovelett, Lovick, McCune, Mullet, Nobles, Rolfes, Salomon, Schoesler, Sefzik, Short, Stanford, Trudeau, Van De Wege, Wellman, C. Wilson, and J. Wilson

WHEREAS, The people of Washington State and the people of Ukraine share a commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, Washington State is home to over 70,000 people with Ukrainian heritage and one of the largest populations of Ukrainian immigrants among the 50 states; and

WHEREAS, Many Ukrainians immigrated to Washington State fleeing Soviet persecution for their beliefs and seeking personal and religious freedoms in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans in Washington State have enriched our communities through their leadership and contributions in agriculture, business, academia, government, and the arts; and

WHEREAS, Ukraine is a diverse nation, home to Ukrainians, Russians, Crimean Tatars, Jews, Poles, and many other ethnic groups; and

WHEREAS, Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe; and

WHEREAS, Between 2014 and 2022, more than 14,000 Ukrainian servicemembers and civilians have been killed in armed conflict; and

WHEREAS, On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin abandoned diplomacy and international pleas for peace and launched an unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine; and

WHEREAS, This attack on Ukraine has already killed hundreds of Ukrainian servicemembers and civilians and caused an urgent international humanitarian crisis; and

WHEREAS, President Putin has denied the existence of Ukraine and apparently seeks to overthrow the democratically elected government of Ukraine; and

WHEREAS, The people of Ukraine are now engaged in an armed conflict to defend their independence and democratic way of life;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the democratic values shared by the people of Washington State and the people of Ukraine; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate express its deepest sympathies for all Ukrainian Americans, especially those with loved ones in harm's way; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate condemn the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine and reiterate its support for peace, diplomacy, and an immediate end to the invasion; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate encourage the people of Washington State to support Ukrainian Americans and the people of Ukraine in their urgent time of need.