SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1995-8643

By Senators Moyer, McCaslin, Hochstatter, Wood, Oke, Strannigan, Quigley, Deccio, West, Finkbeiner, Kohl, Pelz, Johnson, McDonald, Winsley, Sheldon and Bauer

     WHEREAS, Don Kardong grew up in Bellevue, Washington, and is a lifelong resident of the state of Washington.  He attended Seattle Prep where, in 1966, he placed second in the State cross country meet and led his team to the team championship.  After Seattle Prep, Don attended Stanford University from 1967 through 1971, graduating with a BA in psychology.  He was a member of the Stanford Cross Country Team which placed second in the 1968 NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships; and

     WHEREAS, Don continued his running career after Stanford.  In 1972, he qualified for the United States Olympic trials in both the 10,000 meters and marathon.  In 1976, he made the United States Olympic Team in the marathon and placed fourth in the Montreal Olympic Games; and

     WHEREAS, What makes Don especially deserving of recognition is the significant contribution he has made to the growth in popularity of running for both competition and for personal health and fitness in the state of Washington and nation-wide.  In 1977, Don founded the Lilac Bloomsday Run in Spokane, Washington.  This road race, which began with 1,500 runners has grown to a world recognized event with over 50,000 participants.  It has become the high point of springtime in Spokane, Washington.  The Bloomsday Run is recognized around the world as one of the premier road-running events in the United States and attracts world class and Olympian runners; and

     WHEREAS, As a result of Don's community involvement with Bloomsday, he was asked to be a cochair of the Centennial Trail project in the late 1980's.  This trail, now essentially completed, provides a dedicated 40+ mile running, walking, and biking path which follows the Spokane River from the Idaho border west through the City of Spokane and beyond.  At the Idaho border, the trail links with the Idaho Centennial Trail which continues another twenty miles to Coeur d'Alene.  This trail is used by over 200,000 people a year and has become a focus for the promotion of health through fitness for the citizens of Spokane County; and

     WHEREAS, Don Kardong continues to work to enrich the community of Spokane, the State of Washington and the nation with untiring devotion.  He is a past president of the YMCA of the Inland Empire.  He lives in Spokane with his wife, Bridgid, who teaches at Lewis & Clark High School, and two daughters, Kaitlin and Katherine;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington honor Don Kardong for his outstanding contributions to this state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate immediately transmit copies of this resolution to Don Kardong.

I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1995-8643,

adopted by the Senate April 21, 1995.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate