HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 96-4720, by Representative D. Schmidt

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

       WHEREAS, The Cedarwood Elementary School, Class C2, taught by Fran O'Rourke, has distinguished itself through its innovative approach to learning and its unique curriculum programs; and

       WHEREAS, In conjunction with the National Aeronautics Space Administration, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, the Cedarwood Elementary School, Class C2, will conduct a simulation of NASA's Pathfinder Mission to the planet Mars, which is the first mission to that planet in 20 years and the first in a series of missions to that planet set over the next 10 years; and

       WHEREAS, The Pathfinder Mission, in the noble and intrepid tradition of expanding the frontiers of human knowledge, exploration, and achievement, will launch from planet Earth on December 5, 1996, arriving in Martian orbit in July 1997; and

       WHEREAS, Coinciding with Independence Day, July 4, 1997, the Pathfinder spacecraft will launch the "Sojourner Rover," which will land on the Martian surface to conduct a Martian global survey, gathering soil and rock samples and other data, for later scientific study and analysis providing invaluable scientific information; and

       WHEREAS, The Cedarwood Elementary School, Class C2, will completely simulate the Pathfinder Mission, wherein Class C2 designed and created a simulated Martian surface, a simulated Sojourner Rover, a simulated mission control, and will duplicate and parallel all steps of the actual mission, creating a unique educational environment, which has already received national recognition and accolade, by being included as an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C.;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the highest level of excellence and professionalism shown by Fran O'Rourke as an educator in developing such challenging and unique curriculum, which will provide inestimable benefits to the students; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the highest level of excellence shown by the students of Cedarwood Elementary School, Class C2, for their extraordinary effort and desire to assist in creating a unique learning environment; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Fran O'Rourke and the Cedarwood Elementary School, Class C2, as well as the Principal of Cedarwood Elementary School.

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

         Resolution 4720 adopted by the House of Representatives

                            February 8, 1996.

                     ________________________________

                      Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk