HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4726, by Representatives D. Schmidt, Sullivan, Benson, Carrell, Pennington, Talcott, Sump, Buck, Skinner, Fortunato, G. Chandler, Alexander, Mulliken, Barlean, Carlson, McDonald, Woods, Ballasiotes, D. Sommers, Campbell, B. Chandler, Dunn, Cairnes, Huff, Esser, Ericksen, Constantine, Kessler, Hurst, Pflug, Hankins, Romero, Morris, Thomas, Wensman, Kagi, Edmonds, Lovick, Conway, Hatfield and Tokuda

       WHEREAS, Over eight thousand men and women of the Washington National Guard continue to serve the country as a key part of our national defense; and

       WHEREAS, These citizen soldiers who reside in every legislative district throughout Washington volunteer their time and personal efforts to serve the needs of the people of Washington State; and

       WHEREAS, The Guard is assisting local communities with their health needs through Operation Guardcare, a program under which medical personnel give care to medically underserved areas through inoculations and wellness services; and

       WHEREAS, The Guard is active in promoting positive activities for the youth of our state through active involvement in the DARE program, drug demand reduction presentations at local schools, and Camp Minuteman, a motivational summer youth experience at Camp Murray; and

       WHEREAS, The Guard makes a major contribution to our state's war on drugs by providing soldiers and equipment in support of local law enforcement through thirty-five different agencies.  These counterdrug support efforts by our men and women last year contributed to many drug-related arrests, and seizures and destruction of millions of dollars of illegal drugs; and

       WHEREAS, The Guard continues its high priority support for local communities by opening armories for public use for classes, food banks, and community and youth activities.  The Guard also answered numerous calls for assistance from local communities for missions varying from traditional color guards to hauling food in support of anti-hunger initiatives; and

       WHEREAS, The Guard every year adds another chapter in its history as an essential part of our state's ability to protect lives and property in both civil and natural disasters;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express its appreciation to the families and employers of our Guard soldiers and airpersons for their support without which the Guard's mission could not be successful; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives specifically and particularly recognize the value of a strong Washington National Guard to the economy and well-being of this state, both through the occasional performance of its state disaster relief mission, and through the ongoing benefit to local communities by the presence of productively employed, drug-free, and efficiently trained Guard units and the armories that house them; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard, the Governor of the State of Washington, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the President of the United States.

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

          Resolution 4726 adopted by the House of Representatives

                             January 26, 2000.

________________________________               _____________________________

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