SENATE RESOLUTION

2000-8745

By Senators Rasmussen, Bauer, Spanel and Fraser

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs was a widely loved and respected horticulturist, community leader, and the father of nurseries in Washington State until his sudden death on February 4, 2000; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs was born in Olympia, Washington, graduated from Olympia High School, and converted his family farm into Briggs' Nursery; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs served with distinction in the United States Army as a surgical technician from 1942 to 1945; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs exemplified the best characteristics of energetic hard work, community involvement, and devotion as he made incredible accomplishments throughout his almost eighty years of life; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs left a legacy of philanthropy and goodwill, including the improvement of the Olympia High School track and football field; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs served the community through involvement in about twenty-five community organizations including the Washington State Farm Bureau, the Arbor Day Council, the American Association of Nurserymen, the Horticulture Research Institute, International Plant Propagators, the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Washington Park Arboretum; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs served God as a devoted member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs was renowned as a forward-looking diplomat for his friendly ability to bring people together; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Bruce A. Briggs worked to promote the value of Washington's horticulture industry. Up to the week prior to his passing, he was personally packing Washington nursery plants for display in Japan; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs helped develop national grades and standards, including grades and standards for our state flower, the Rhododendron, that will continue to guide the nursery industry for many years to come; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs was honored for his accomplishments by the Washington Nursery and Landscape Association, the American Nursery and Landscape Association, received the Gold Veitch Memorial Medal from the British Royal Horticulture Association, a Gold Medal from the American Rhododendron Society, the International Award of Honor from the International Plant Propagators' Society, and many other honors and awards; and

WHEREAS, Bruce A. Briggs will long be remembered for his love, hard work, and contributions to Washington's agriculture and horticulture industries, which has rendered immeasurable benefits to the state, its current and future citizens, and to the entire nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize and honor Bruce A. Briggs' life and lifetime of achievements, his contributions and selfless service, and send condolences to his wife Doris Briggs, his sons Gary and Ted Briggs, and his five grandchildren; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor of the state of Washington, the Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, and to the family of Bruce A. Briggs.