HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4724, by Representatives Ericksen, Morris, Murray, Delvin, Barlean, Esser, Carlson, Talcott, Mastin, Quall, Hankins, DeBolt, Linville, Wensman, Dunn, Thomas and Woods

        WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State legislature to recognize and honor the contributions of individuals who reflect the standards of excellence that advance the well-being and quality of lives of all citizens of the state of Washington; and

        WHEREAS, Charles B. "Chuck" West of Seattle and Bainbridge Island has been a key leader in the Northwest travel industry since the early 1950's; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West has operated Seattle-based travel companies since 1951 and founded two Seattle companies, Westours and Cruise West, each of which is still today an important Seattle employer; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West restored Seattle as a cruise gateway to Alaska for the first time since Alaska Steamship Company ceased operations in the 1950's; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West's company, Cruise West, now operates seven vessels from its Seattle headquarters, making it North America's leading small-ship cruise line; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West had the courage to develop and personally secure a Seattle-based company at an age when most people retire; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West is credited with being the postwar founder of Alaska package tourism and is responsible for bringing tens of thousands of guests from national and international markets through Washington State on their way to Alaska; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West has also brought thousands of guests to experience the beauty and hospitality of Washington State's Puget Sound and San Juan Islands and waters; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West has brought even more cruise travelers to the Columbia and Snake Rivers, visiting communities and historic sites in Washington State, as well as in our neighbor states, Oregon and Idaho; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West is, at age eighty-five, the Emeritus Chairman of Cruise West; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West has furthered a legacy of putting as little as possible between travelers and nature, thereby helping to fulfill their cherished dream of experiencing nature up close; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West has helped to instill within the many people that he has met and known the importance of protecting the environment by taking only photographs and leaving only a small ship's wake; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West was awarded the United States Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross for serving eighteen months of hazardous duty as a member of the Army Air Force China National Aviation Corporation, flying one hundred ninety-three missions over the Assam-China air routes ("The Hump") during World War II; and

        WHEREAS, Chuck West served two years (1969 and 1970) as president of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the world's largest travel organization, helping to further Seattle's prestige in the international travel community; and

        WHEREAS, The American Society of Travel Agents has inducted Chuck West into its Travel Hall of Fame; and

        WHEREAS, The American Academy of Achievement awarded Chuck West its Golden Plate Award; and

        WHEREAS, The Travel Industry Association of America presented Chuck West with the Travel Industry Hall of Leaders Award;

        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of

Representatives recognize and honor Chuck West for his entrepreneurial nature, pioneering spirit, and significant contributions to the travel industry in Washington State; 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 Washington State Tourism Division, the Port of Seattle, the Port of Tacoma, and the Port of Olympia.

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

               Resolution 4724 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                  January 24, 2000.

________________________________                        _____________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk                      Cynthia Zehnder Co-Chief Clerk