HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 96-4745, by Representatives Mulliken, Smith, Goldsmith, Radcliff, Hargrove, Hymes, Robertson, McMorris, Sehlin, Honeyford, Foreman, McMahan, Stevens, Chandler, D. Sommers, Benton, L. Thomas, Pelesky, Hickel, Sheahan, Beeksma, Clements, Hankins, Backlund, Buck, Koster, Johnson, Mitchell, Talcott, Lambert, Crouse, Elliot, Reams, Sherstad, Cairnes, Carlson, Schoesler, Cooke, Thompson, Carrell, Casada, Huff, Pennington, Horn, Skinner, Sterk, Dyer, B. Thomas, Brumsickle, D. Schmidt, Mastin, Delvin, Lisk and Blanton

       WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to recognize excellence in all endeavors which inure to the benefit of the citizens of this great state of Washington; and

       WHEREAS, It is a self-evident truth that parents are the very fundamental composition of the family and as such are the very foundation of society itself; and

       WHEREAS, It is only from parents which are learned, shared, and imparted our most cherished and meaningful values and parents have the singular responsibility of ensuring, directing, and guiding the education and upbringing of their children; and

       WHEREAS, The learning, developing, and acquiring of personal values from parents are the most vital, nourishing source of morality and virtue, which is not only necessary for personal growth and personal responsibility but is indispensable for meaningful contribution to our communities and society; and

       WHEREAS, As such the preservation, promotion, and protection of parenthood is of foremost and essential interest and priority to the great state of Washington and this legislature; and

       WHEREAS, Innumerable demands and ceaseless challenges are visited upon parents in raising, nurturing, and educating their children which are successfully overcome only because of unqualified love, compassion, commitment, spiritual support, devotion, and sacrifice to the selfless care and wholesome raising of their children; and

       WHEREAS, Inestimable rewards and endless benefits are realized by parents in the successful raising of their children as they mature and throughout their lives; and

       WHEREAS, As children become young adults and begin contributing to our communities and eventually assume leadership responsibilities and influential positions in our communities all citizens of Washington will benefit from successful parenting;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor parents for the invaluable and indispensable role they serve in raising, nurturing, and educating children and strengthening and sustaining our families, community, and society consequently inuring to the inestimable benefit of the great state of Washington.

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

         Resolution 4745 adopted by the House of Representatives

                              March 6, 1996.

                     ________________________________

                      Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk