SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1995-8608

By Senators West, C. Anderson, Hale, Oke, Morton, Spanel, Drew, Wojahn, Johnson, Swecker, Bauer, Haugen and Kohl

    WHEREAS, Over nine thousand men and women of the Washington State National Guard continue to serve the country as a key part of our national defense; and

    WHEREAS, These citizen soldiers who reside in every legislative district throughout Washington volunteer their time and personal efforts to serve the needs of the people of Washington State; and

    WHEREAS, The Guard is assisting local communities with their health needs through Operation Guardcare, a program under which medical personnel give care to medically underserved areas through inoculations and wellness services; and

    WHEREAS, The Guard is active in promoting positive activities for the youth of our state through active involvement in the D.A.R.E. program, drug demand reduction presentations at local schools, and Camp Minuteman, a motivational summer youth experience at Camp Murray; and

    WHEREAS, The Guard makes a major contribution to our state's war on drugs by providing soldiers and equipment in support of local law enforcement through thirty-five different agencies.  These counterdrug support efforts by our men and women last year contributed to over nine thousand drug related arrests, and seizure and destruction of millions of dollars of illegal drugs; and

    WHEREAS, The Guard continues its high priority support for local communities by opening armories for public use for classes, food banks, and community and youth activities.  The guard also answered numerous calls for assistance from local communities for missions varying from traditional color guards to hauling food in support of anti-hunger initiatives; and

    WHEREAS, The Guard added another bright chapter in its history as an essential part of our state's ability to protect lives and property in the event of natural disasters.  The Guard provided a major portion of the equipment and firefighting and support personnel in the state effort to fight the Central Washington wildfires in August of 1994.  Over three thousand five hundred Guard soldiers and seven hundred pieces of equipment operated in the five fire areas during the height of the fire danger.  These soldiers and airmen gave up time from their jobs and families to preserve lives and safety in endangered local communities.  They accomplished their missions in the face of constant danger and adversity with no loss of life or significant injury.  Their actions represent a continuation of the great tradition of sacrifice and service to Washington as shown in the Mt. St. Helens eruption, Spokane Wildfires, floods in Skagit County, and the 1993 Inauguration Day windstorm;

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognizes and applauds the members of the Washington State National Guard for their exceptional dedication, pride and professional service to the State of Washington; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate express its appreciation to the families and employers of our Guard soldiers and airmen for their support without which the Guard's mission could not be successful; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate specifically and particularly recognizes the value of a strong Washington State National Guard to the economy and well-being of this state, both through the occasional performance of its state disaster relief mission, and through the ongoing benefit to local communities by the presence of productively employed, drug free, and efficiently trained Guard units and the armories that house them; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted to the Adjutant General of the Washington State National Guard, the Governor of the State of Washington, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, and to the President of the United States.

I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1995-8608,

adopted by the Senate January 25, 1995.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate