HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 97-4618, by Representatives Backlund, Sherstad, Zellinsky, Mielke, Bush, Koster, Lambert, Clements, Mulliken, Thompson, Parlette, D. Schmidt and B. Thomas

        WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature recognizes excellence in all fields of endeavor; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States of America, demonstrated the highest level of excellence in service to this nation; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln demonstrated unimpeachable moral character in all matters, and thereby earned for himself the nickname "Honest Abe"; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, the son of a Kentucky frontiersman, was raised in a log cabin, cleared land and split rails to earn a living as a young man, and although he eventually attained great stature in public life, he never lost touch with the values he shared with the common person; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln made extraordinary efforts to obtain an education, often studying by candlelight late into the night, and is an example to today's youth of the success that is possible if a disciplined effort is made to seek an education; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln continues to be known and admired for his eloquent and accomplished oratory, and his ability to articulate the foundational principles of liberty and justice, as exemplified in his debate with Judge Stephen A. Douglas, in which Lincoln voiced opposition to slavery, as well as in his delivery of the Gettysburg Address; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln believed the republican form of government established by the Founding Fathers was the best means of ensuring freedom from despotic government, and he became the father of the Republican Party, dedicated to maintaining the principles of constitutional representation under the rule of law; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln unselfishly gave of himself throughout his long and distinguished career of public service, which included judicial service in the Eighth Circuit, membership in the Illinois State Legislature, the United States Congress, and service in the office of the President of the United States of America; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln courageously issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, which declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, while President of the United States, issued a Proclamation declaring a national day of prayer, recognizing that "It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, and to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in Holy Scripture, and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord."; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, within one month of being inaugurated as President, was confronted by the challenge of a Civil War, which tore at the fabric of the Union, pitting brother against brother, and family against family; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln responded to this challenge with a love of liberty, and a firm assurance in divine providence as his guide, directing the Union forces to victory; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln continued, throughout the conflict, to hold fast to the principles which he articulated in his second inaugural address, "With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right," and, through adherence to these principles, helped bind the nation together and heal its wounds; and

        WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln suffered an untimely death at the hands of an assassin while attending Ford's Theater, just five days after bringing the Civil War to an end in April 1865; and

        WHEREAS, The American people continue to be instilled with hope that the difficulties faced by our nation can be overcome, as we remember the words of Abraham Lincoln, "That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth";

        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States.

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

                    Resolution 4618 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                      February 17, 1997.

                               ________________________________

                                Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk