SENATE RESOLUTION

                             2000-8716

By Senators Morton, Rasmussen and Roach

     WHEREAS, Livestock growers in the state of Washington produce and manage approximately 1.3 million head of cattle and calves annually; and

     WHEREAS, Approximately 9,000 farmers and ranchers in Washington are employed as beef producers, employed in very hard work to bring us this important, treasured, and succulent food; and

     WHEREAS, The value of this agricultural commodity in Washington State totals over $465 million; and

     WHEREAS, The farm gate and value added output of the livestock industry amounts in total more than $1.6 billion, clearly establishing it as a significant factor to the health of the Washington State economy; and

     WHEREAS, Americans support this industry by eating, pound for pound, more beef than any other meat; and

     WHEREAS, Beef is a healthy part of a balanced diet providing many important nutrients including Iron, Zinc, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2, and high quality protein;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the women and men of the cattle industry are hereby recognized by the Washington State Senate as vital contributors to the economic vitality of our state and our communities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate formally commend the hard work and industriousness of those men and women who raise cattle and promote a stable economic future in Washington State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the men and women of the Washington Cattlemen's Association, the Governor, and the Director of the Department of Agriculture.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 2000-8716,

adopted by the Senate February 8, 2000.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate