HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4771, by Representatives Edmonds, Kagi, Pflug, Thomas, Alexander, DeBolt, Woods, Rockefeller, Morris, Quall, Kenney, McIntire, Skinner, Clements, Bush, Campbell, D. Sommers, Benson, Anderson, Barlean, Constantine, Poulsen, Ogden, D. Schmidt, G. Chandler, McDonald, Talcott, Hatfield, Wensman, Dunn, Lovick, Koster, Regala, Esser and Stensen

        WHEREAS, Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Armistice Day ending hostilities in World War I, November 11, 1998, honored eleven veterans of the state of Washington by conferring on them France's highest military and civil decoration, the national order of the Legion of Honor; and

        WHEREAS, The United States of America, upon entering the Great War as an ally on April 6, 1917, gave decisive support to French soldiers defending their country, including 1.2 million American combatants who earned particular distinction in actions at the Saint-Mihiel salient and in the Meuse-Argonne offensive; and

        WHEREAS, The remains of 14,246 American combatants who died in France now repose in the Meuse-Argonne cemetery, a memorial site symbolizing the gratitude of the French people for the supreme sacrifice they made for the noble cause of a just and lasting peace in Europe; and

        WHEREAS, The Treaty of Friendship and Alliance of 1778 between France and the United States first recognized the sovereignty and independence of the American nation, and immense military assistance rendered to America contributed significantly to the victories that assured the independence of the United States, subsequently ratified by the Treaty of Paris in 1783;

        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and salute the following veterans who fought on the soil of France with our allies in World War I for a lasting peace in Europe, which continues to evolve through the European Union, NATO, and international organizations dedicated to the peaceful resolution of disputes among nations, to wit:

        Elgie Altimus, Poulsbo

        Robert H. Benton, Tacoma

        Robert S. Blackeney, Stanwood

        Pet Crump, Issaquah

        Charlie Gaupp, Seattle

        Guy H. Gilbert, Burlington

        Peter Gorseth, Spokane

        Samuel Kunz, Shoreline

        William J. Lake, Yakima

        Wade Hubert Leroy, Morton, and

        Mike Sholund, Seattle; and

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives applaud the noble gesture of the French President in recognizing our veterans serving in France with the accolade of the Legion of Honor, and express its profound gratitude to the French people for this high honor rendered to these veterans; 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 veterans honored herein, to His Excellency, Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic through its embassy consulates, to the state Department of Veterans Affairs, and to the Senate.

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

               Resolution 4771 adopted by the House of Representatives

                                    March 1, 2000.

________________________________                        _____________________________

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