SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1996-8692

By Senators Rasmussen, Goings, McAuliffe, Sutherland, Johnson, Sheldon, Snyder, Bauer, Spanel and Kohl

    WHEREAS, The economy of the state of Washington is comprised of diverse activities engaged in by people of varying interests and talents from all walks of life; and

    WHEREAS, Vocational education is vital to the success of our state as an economic leader; and

    WHEREAS, Vocational education is not relegated solely to the higher education system, but begins in Washington's secondary schools; and

    WHEREAS, High school vocational education in Washington is ably represented by Vocational Student Organizations; and

    WHEREAS, Vocational Student Organizations is comprised of VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), FFA, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), FHA-HERO (Future Homemakers of America), and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America); and

    WHEREAS, These organizations represent more than 27,000 students from all corners of our state; and

    WHEREAS, Through their involvement in their vocational activities, these students are learning skills not necessarily available to them in the conventional classroom setting; and

    WHEREAS, They are training to become better workers, better leaders, better problem-solvers and decision-makers, as well as better citizens; and

    WHEREAS, Their activities are supported by true public/private partnerships that allow private enterprise to become more fully involved with public schools in shaping the future of our economy and its entrepreneurs and workforce; and 

    WHEREAS, These active, forward-thinking, and creative young people are blazing the trail into the future for our state; and

    WHEREAS, Their initiative and leadership today will no doubt inspire many others tomorrow and in the years ahead; and

    WHEREAS, Their example of personal responsibility and of creating opportunity is one that all citizens would do well to emulate;

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Senate of the state of Washington do hereby recognize and honor the hard work and dedication of the state officers of VIA, DECA, FHA, FFA, and FBLA here present and the more than 27,000 members they represent, as well as Vocational Student Organizations and its chairperson, Charlotte Crimmins, who is also the state director of VIA, and thank them all for their efforts on behalf of themselves and their future, as well as the future of the great state of Washington; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate do hereby immediately transmit copies of this resolution to each of the aforementioned organizations.

I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1996-8692,

adopted by the Senate February 13, 1996.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate