HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 95-4688, by Representative Honeyford

     WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason exhibited the highest levels of excellence throughout his personal, professional, and public life; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason graduated from Cameron State Agriculture College at Lawton, Oklahoma where he was named Outstanding Agriculture Graduate with an Associate Degree in Science and received both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dairy Production and a Master of Science Degree in Dairy Production from Oklahoma State University; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason served in the United States Army in Korea and in Japan in 1952 through 1953; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason taught at Middle Tennessee State College and North Carolina State College, authored several papers while serving as Animal Nutrition Research Supervisor, and in 1964 joined the Washington State University Extension staff where he served for 22 years as a dairy agent covering a 5 county territory in eastern Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason worked with DHI associations, Dairy Federation, Dairy Wives, the Holstein associations, and PDCA, and coached dairy judging teams and dairy quiz bowl teams, judged at fairs, published newsletters, and worked with the Sunnyside Dairy Industry Task Force; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason received public information awards in state, regional, and national categories for TV/video, feature stories, direct mail, newsletter, and radio, the National CIBA-Geigy Award, the National Dow Study Tour Award, the National Association of Agriculture Agents Award for Achievement, Distinguished Service, and Career Guidance, and the Extension Epsilon Sigma Phi Team Award; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason has been honored by the Washington State Dairy Federation for recognition of service to the Dairy of Merit program and he has been the driving force behind the Dairy Family of the Year recognition; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason has served as director, treasurer, secretary, vice-president, and president of the Washington Extension Agents Association; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason was the epitome of a tireless individual, completely dedicated to the dairy families of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Eddie Thomason has been active as a deacon, school director, and elder of his church, and has honored his wife Janice and their three children, Greg, Jeanette, and Caralee;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington hereby honor Eddie Thomason on his retirement and extend the sincerest appreciation and best wishes to him and his family; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Eddie Thomason.

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