HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4616, by Representatives G. Chandler, Linville, B. Chandler, Koster, McMorris, Cox, Barlean, Thomas, Hatfield, Dunn, Ruderman and Pflug

       WHEREAS, Washington is home to 264,000 dairy cows; and

       WHEREAS, Washington's dairy cows are the third most productive in America, averaging more than 3,180 pounds of milk per cow above the national average; and

       WHEREAS, Our state's dairy farmers contribute approximately seven hundred twenty-eight million dollars to the state's economy each year; and

       WHEREAS, Milk production ranks second in dollar value among all of Washington's bountiful agricultural commodities; and

       WHEREAS, Washington's dairy industry is actually older than the state itself; and

       WHEREAS, The first creamery in Washington was started at Cheney in 1880, at a time when cattle outnumbered territorial residents by more than two-to-one; and

       WHEREAS, February 17, 1999, marks the observance of Legislative Dairy Day, an annual event celebrated at the state capitol of the great state of Washington for well over thirty years; and

       WHEREAS, Legislative Dairy Day honors the dairy industry, which is the second largest agricultural industry in this great state of Washington, for the extensive contributions made by the dairy industry to the economic well-being of our great state of Washington as well as the invaluable contribution made by the dairy industry in providing an indispensable part of a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet, with such irreplaceable products as milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and a great many other dairy products; and

       WHEREAS, Legislative Dairy Day also honors the Washington State Dairy Federation which, as a professional organization of dairy farmers in this great state of Washington, provides an exceptional voice for the contribution and special concerns of the dairy farmers; and

       WHEREAS, Citizens throughout the state today honor this special industry with the annual Dairy Day celebration at the state capitol; and

       WHEREAS, The Washington State Dairy Federation is the proud sponsor of this observance; and

       WHEREAS, Julie Haakenson of Carnation, a 1997 honors graduate of Eastlake High School in Redmond, is representing the dairy industry with distinction as the reigning Washington State Dairy Ambassador; and

       WHEREAS, Ms. Haakenson is serving an eleven‑month internship with the Washington Dairy Products Commission; and

       WHEREAS, Her coalternates are Amanda Miller of Spokane who represents the Inland Northwest dairy farmers; and Becky Smith of Custer who represents the Whatcom County dairy farmers;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State House of Representatives acknowledge and honor the women and men whose work on dairy farms throughout Washington has contributed so much to the strength and vitality of our state and its 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 Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Washington State Dairy Federation, to Washington State Dairy Ambassador Julie Haakenson, and to coalternates Amanda Miller and Becky Smith.

              I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

              Resolution 4616 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                February 17, 1999.

________________________________                      _____________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk                     Dean R. Foster Co-Chief Clerk