HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4653, by Representatives Stensen, Kastama, Wolfe, Santos, Wood, O'Brien, Doumit, Eickmeyer, Dunshee, Morris, Murray, Gombosky, Hatfield, Regala, McIntire, Tokuda, H. Sommers, Anderson, Edmonds, Lantz, Schual‑Berke, Romero, Hurst, Rockefeller, Fisher, Scott, Ruderman, Reardon, Haigh, Keiser, Edwards, Constantine, Cooper, Conway, Quall, Veloria, Kenney, Cody, Fortunato, Kagi, Linville, Lambert, McMorris, D. Schmidt, Huff, Wensman, Ballasiotes, Radcliff, K. Schmidt, Mitchell, G. Chandler, Thomas, Mulliken, Hankins, Esser, Skinner, Carlson and Talcott

      WHEREAS, The family is the cornerstone of our nation and state, and children are the future of society; and

      WHEREAS, The care and nurturing of children has traditionally been the responsibility of biological parents with support of the neighborhood and community; and

      WHEREAS, Changes in social structure have resulted in some biological parents unable to appropriately care for their children; and

      WHEREAS, Grandparents and other relatives step forward and assume the full, daily parental responsibility for the children of relatives; and

      WHEREAS, Relatives face emotional, financial, legal, and day-to-day living challenges in their efforts to provide children a healthy and safe life; and

      WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature recognizes that there is a significant increase in relatives who are raising family children; and

      WHEREAS, There are nearly eighty-six thousand grandparent-headed households with children;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington acknowledge and honor the contributions of relatives raising children; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Governor.

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

      Resolution 4653 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          April 21, 1999.

________________________________     _____________________________

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