HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4644, by Representatives Dunshee, Scott, Lovick, Radcliff, Cooper, Reardon, D. Schmidt, Dunn, Thomas and Koster

     WHEREAS, Raintree Steck-Vaughn, a national publishing company, sponsors a nationwide Young Publish-A-Book Competition to stimulate interest in reading and writing among children; and

     WHEREAS, This year's theme, "Enter the World of Technology" drew eight thousand participants nationwide in the second through fifth grades; and

     WHEREAS, The 1998 Grand Prize Winner is Chad Merkley of Snohomish, Washington, a third grade student at Evergreen Academy in Bothell; and

     WHEREAS, Chad spent countless hours, weekends, and early mornings working on the book; and

     WHEREAS, Chad's book, "Too Many Me's," explores the impacts, both good and bad, of technology on our lives in a way that is easy for kids to understand and relate to; and

     WHEREAS, The main character in Chad's book, Albert, is named after his favorite grandfather; and

     WHEREAS, Chad's book will be illustrated and published nationwide and books will be donated to his school's library;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor Chad Merkley for his significant contribution to the world of children's book publishing; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to Chad's parents, Jerry and Amber Merkley, and to his school, Evergreen Academy.

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

   Resolution 4644 adopted by the House of Representatives

                       April 2, 1999.

____________________________       _________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk Dean R. Foster Co-Chief Clerk