SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1998-8705

By Senators Haugen, Wojahn, Spanel and Bauer

     WHEREAS, The arts play a vital role in educating, inspiring, and enriching the lives of all the citizens of the state of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, A vibrant arts community is a valuable economic and cultural asset, in that it stimulates business development and attracts tourism, while inspiring civic pride and positively influencing the quality of life; and

     WHEREAS, The arts enable students to acquire and develop reading, writing, and problem-solving skills, in addition to increasing creativity, self-esteem, and acceptance of others; and 

     WHEREAS, The arts not only provide citizens of this state an opportunity to interact with different cultures and learn new ways of seeing and giving expression to their experiences, but also help transmit our shared cultural legacy to the next generation; and

     WHEREAS, The artists and arts institutions of our state have received international recognition and generated millions of dollars, making the Northwest a world-renowned focal point of artistic creation, performance, and exhibition;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate do hereby recognize and honor the arts community for its continued importance and vital contribution to the state=s economy and cultural livelihood; and that we urge the citizens of Washington State to join us in celebrating Arts Day, this 25th day of February, 1998. 

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1998-8705,

adopted by the Senate February 25, 1998.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate