SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1996-8715

By Senators Spanel and Haugen

     WHEREAS, The beautiful Skagit Valley is the tulip capital of the Northwest; and

     WHEREAS, Every April the tulips are in bloom, celebrating the beginning of spring; and

     WHEREAS, The Skagit Valley begins the festival season in Washington State with the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival; and

     WHEREAS, This year's thirteenth annual event will run from March 29 through April 14, focusing on the communities of Sedro-Woolley, Burlington, Anacortes, La Conner, and Mount Vernon; and

     WHEREAS, Nearly half a million people visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival last year, participating in the joy and excitement of this annual event and contributing to the economy of the Skagit Valley; and

     WHEREAS, This year's visitors will be overwhelmed by more than one thousand five hundred acres of tulips reflecting all the colors of the rainbow and by the fullness of life in the valley and its wonderful people; and

     WHEREAS, Highlights of the event include the Mount Vernon Street Fair, a 10K Tour de Fleur, a Volkswalk, a 10K Slug Run, an Easter egg hunt, and sea kayak rides;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate salute the five communities of the Skagit Valley and their chambers of commerce for their Skagit Valley Tulip Festival; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate commend the community leaders and corporate sponsors responsible for the success of this important event and encourage citizens from across Washington State to take the time to enjoy this spectacular display; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate issue this resolution in recognition of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, March 29 through April 14, 1996.

I, Marty Brown, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1996-8715,

adopted by the Senate March 7, 1996.

MARTY BROWN

Secretary of the Senate