ByRepresentatives Jinkins, Wilcox, Abbarno, Alvarado, Barkis, Barnard, Bateman, Berg, Bergquist, Berry, Bronoske, Caldier, Callan, Chambers, Chandler, Chapman, Cheney, Chopp, Christian, Connors, Corry, Cortes, Couture, Davis, Dent, Doglio, Donaghy, Duerr, Dye, Entenman, Eslick, Farivar, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Fosse, Goehner, Goodman, Graham, Gregerson, Griffey, Hackney, Hansen, Harris, Hutchins, Jacobsen, Klicker, Kloba, Kretz, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Low, Macri, Maycumber, McClintock, McEntire, Mena, Morgan, Mosbrucker, Orcutt, Ormsby, Ortiz-Self, Orwall, Paul, Peterson, Pollet, Ramel, Ramos, Reed, Reeves, Riccelli, Robertson, Rude, Rule, Ryu, Sandlin, Santos, Schmick, Schmidt, Senn, Shavers, Simmons, Slatter, Springer, Stearns, Steele, Stokesbary, Stonier, Street, Taylor, Thai, Tharinger, Timmons, Volz, Walen, Walsh, Waters, Wylie, and Ybarra

WHEREAS, The Washington National Guard, with more than eight thousand serving members, continues to showcase their loyalty in service to their state and the country as guardians of American interests at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, These steadfast leaders imbue their historic duty by volunteering their time and putting aside their personal lives to support their country, their state, and those in need; and

WHEREAS, The Guard, through its diligent counsel, continues to respect the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion as Washington state seeks to move beyond the global Coronavirus pandemic without forgetting the most vulnerable; and

WHEREAS, The Guard displays the value of selfless service by being ready to respond to floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters, as the Washington National Guard showcased in their relief efforts in Lewis County and Leavenworth, helping communities deal with rising water levels and record snow fall; and

WHEREAS, Integrity continues to float atop the Washington National Guard's principle concerns as evidenced by the wide range of educational services and youth and community activities the Guard has long committed to providing to enrich the quality and prosperity of life in the evergreen state; and

WHEREAS, Washington National Guard soldiers continue to personify the value of personal courage by providing critical support to missions both foreign and domestic and bravely putting their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, safeguard our lives, and ensure the continued prosperity of our democracy; and

WHEREAS, These citizen soldiers in the Washington National Guard, who reside in every legislative district, provide the leadership and value-driven service that protects Washington state and allows the economy to thrive, distributing much needed resources to the citizens and communities that inhabit this most prosperous and environmentally conscious state – a beacon for the nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington state House of Representatives extend its sincerest appreciation to our soldiers in the Washington National Guard and to the passionate devotion of their families and dedicated employers, whose assistance ensures the Guard's missions are always completed with direct leadership and unremitted personal courage; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives duly recognize the value of a strong Washington National Guard to the strength, stability, and economic vitality of this state, not only through its vital state emergency and disaster relief mission, but also through its value-driven community services that continue to benefit local communities, providing access to education, productive employment, and helping individuals live healthy, meaningful lives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard, the Governor of the state of Washington, and the Secretaries of the United States Army and Air Force.