SENATE RESOLUTION

                             1997-8620

By Senators Swecker, Zarelli and Rasmussen

     WHEREAS, Legislators and staff are often so consumed at this time of year with their legislative duties that they may neglect to let their families know how much they truly care and appreciate their support and devotion; and

     WHEREAS, Since for many of us our legislative duties will keep us apart from our spouses and children on this special day; and

     WHEREAS, Because of these time constraints many of us will be scrambling at a mini- mart on the way home for a cheap nylon rose and some heart-shaped sugar to give our loved ones; and

     WHEREAS, Saint Valentine=s Day is the last holiday for property owners to generously spend money on their loved ones before being bombarded with property tax statements; and

     WHEREAS, Saint Valentine=s Day provides family-wage jobs for thousands of arrow-shooting Cupids across this great land of ours and therefore also promotes their right to bear arms, and

     WHEREAS, Even though as state legislators and staff responsible for the well-being of five million Washingtonians we have a legitimate excuse for forgetting this day; and

     WHEREAS, Despite having a legitimate excuse, we would still all be in the dog house if we did actually forget this most romantic of occasions; and

     WHEREAS, In all seriousness few of us could be successful, effective legislators and staff without the love, devotion and support of our families;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the members and staff of the Washington State Senate, hereby request that our spouses, children and significant others be their valentines on this special day and;

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That our love and appreciation for all of their sacrifices be officially recognized, and that a copy of this resolution be made available to individual senators and staff to send to their loved ones to let them know we are always thinking of them.

I, Mike O=Connell, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1997-8620,

adopted by the Senate February 14, 1997.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate