HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 97-4646, by Representatives Anderson, Quall, Morris and Sehlin

      WHEREAS, The beautiful Skagit Valley is the Tulip Capital of the Northwest; and

      WHEREAS, Every April brings a spectacular panorama as the thousands of tulips abloom herald the coming of spring; and

      WHEREAS, The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival launches the festival season here in Washington; and

      WHEREAS, This year's fourteenth annual Tulip Festival from March 28th through April 13th is shining world-wide attention on the communities of Anacortes, Burlington, Concrete, LaConner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro Wooley; and

      WHEREAS, The nearly one million people who visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival last year enjoyed a tremendous variety of exciting activities and contributed greatly to the region's economy; 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 representing the fullness of life for the marvelous people who call the Skagit Valley home; and

      WHEREAS, Highlights of this year's festivities include the Mount Vernon Street Fair, an Art Bash on Beaver Marsh Road, the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Salmon Barbeque, the Tulip Pedal Bicycle Ride, the Paccar Open House, the 10K Slug Run, and the Skagit County Flower and Garden Faire;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington salute the resplendent communities of the Skagit Valley, as well as their chambers of commerce and the Tulip Festival Committee for their tireless efforts in providing another Skagit Valley Tulip Festival for the joy of grateful visitors; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the community leaders and corporate sponsors for the success of this celebrated event, and that we encourage citizens from all across our state, nation, and world to make time to savor this sensational display; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the community leaders of the phenomenal Skagit Valley.

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

     Resolution 4646 adopted by the House of Representatives

                         April 2, 1997.

                ________________________________

                 Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk