SENATE RESOLUTION

                             1998-8704

By Senators Franklin and Kohl

     WHEREAS, 1998 marks the beginning of a new tradition in Tacoma with the first annual African-American Heritage Pageant; and

     WHEREAS, The African-American Heritage Pageant continues the important mission and legacy of the former Afro Pageant; and

     WHEREAS, Through the former Afro Pageant, community leaders worked tirelessly for many years to raise scholarship funds, and promote cultural awareness and civic responsibility among generations of black youth seeking to further their education beyond high school; and

     WHEREAS, The newly created African-American Heritage Pageant is dedicated to providing qualifying Pierce County African-American high school seniors with college scholarships; and

     WHEREAS, Pageant organizers are ever mindful of the effect of increasing technology and global competition on the lives and future employment opportunities of these students; and

     WHEREAS, Organizers of the African-American Heritage Pageant believe that a higher education is an essential milestone that students must meet if they are to have a successful future in a rapidly changing world; and

     WHEREAS, The Pageant came into being to help as many of these students as possible gain the college scholarship resources that will help them prepare for their future; and

     WHEREAS, This first annual Pageant will take place February 28, 1998, at Clover Park High School, featuring fifteen male and female contestants; and

     WHEREAS, The contestants represent ten Pierce County area high schools; and

     WHEREAS, The participating students have a commendable cumulative grade point average of 3.25;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate do hereby recognize and honor the African-American Heritage Pageant and those responsible for its creation; that we recognize and commend the contestants who merely by meeting the high standards required for participation have already demonstrated their commitment to their futures and the future of their community; and that we urge all citizens of Washington to support the worthy educational goals of the African-American Heritage Pageant; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted immediately by the Secretary of the Senate to Pageant Board of Directors Chair Thel Johnson, and to Pageant Interim Director Jess Moultry.

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1998-8704,

adopted by the Senate February 23, 1998.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate