SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1997-8623

By Senators Kline, Fairley, Haugen, Zarelli, McCaslin, Roach, Long, Brown, Rasmussen, Spanel and Kohl

     WHEREAS, Each year in the United States, millions of children are abused, neglected, or abandoned by their families; and

     WHEREAS, Thousands of children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care or institutions; and

     WHEREAS, Every child deserves a safe, supportive, and permanent home; and

     WHEREAS, Washington state is fortunate to have a highly regarded volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program; and

     WHEREAS, Citizens in this program have, since 1976, worked to help protect and meet the needs of abused and neglected children; and

     WHEREAS, One thousand five hundred CASA volunteers contribute over two hundred fifty thousand hours a year to support five thousand children; and

     WHEREAS, CASA volunteers help find families willing to give children homes; and

     WHEREAS, Without the commitment of CASA volunteers, thousands of children would never know what it is like to have a permanent home; and

     WHEREAS, Without the dedication of the CASA volunteers, many children would be lost in the judicial system;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington recognize and applaud CASA volunteers for their exceptional commitment to the children of Washington state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington recognize and commend the mission statement of the CASA program which states:  "Our mission is to support effective volunteer advocacy for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in the court system.  Our vision is to ensure that every child has a safe, supportive and permanent home"; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association.

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1997-8623,

adopted by the Senate February 21, 1997.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate