HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 91-4718, by Representative Appelwick

      WHEREAS, The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws is celebrating its one-hundredth anniversary, and it is appropriate upon this auspicious occasion that the achievements of the organization are highlighted and that its role in creating uniformity of the laws of the states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands are applauded; and

      WHEREAS, As far back as 1881, the problems associated with wide variations in state laws were formally recognized by the Alabama State Bar Association, which took the first formal action to encourage development of "uniform" laws, and in August 1889, the American Bar Association (ABA) decided at its twelfth annual meeting to work for "uniformity of the laws" of the then forty-four states; and

      WHEREAS, Within a year, the New York legislature authorized the governor to appoint three commissioners to explore the most effective manner in which to effect uniformity of law to ease problems developing between increasingly interdependent states; and the ABA endorse New York's action with the result that the first meeting of the Conference of State Boards of Commissioners on Promoting Uniformity of Law in the United States was held in Saratoga Springs, New York, on August 24, 1892, with commissioners for seven states in attendance (Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania); and

      WHEREAS, In 1915, the organization officially became the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws; and

      WHEREAS, Since 1905 the state of Washington has been a member of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and has served with distinction, making significant contributions to that conference; and

      WHEREAS, Washington state has adopted into its statutes eighty-five or more of the uniform acts or amendments that have been promulgated by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws including the uniform commercial code, which is the underlying basis of the vast portion of the commerce that is the health of this state; and

      WHEREAS, At the present time, more than three hundred practicing lawyers, judges, law professors, and government officials serve as Uniform Law Commissioners; and these state-appointed commissioners, selected for their wide range of legal expertise and experience, provide an immeasurable resource for drafting "uniform" and "model" laws; and

      WHEREAS, Commissioners, who donate hundreds and even thousands of hours of their time to the Conference, receive no salaries or fees for their work; and it is their extreme dedication and commitment to the principles of the Conference which has enabled the Conference to be credited with its resounding success and for the renown which it has earned throughout the country;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws be commended as it celebrates its one-hundredth anniversary, and applauded as a genuine confederation of state interests and for its brilliant leadership which it has displayed in effectuating uniformity of law and in providing states with legislation adaptable to their particular needs and concerns; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That sincere appreciation be extended to those individuals who have given unstintingly of their time and expertise as Commissioners.

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

             Resolution 4718 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                 June 29, 1991.

                         ________________________________

               Alan Thompson, Chief Clerk, House of Representatives