HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2001-4640, by Representatives Quall, Morris, Barlean, Sehlin, Rockefeller, Esser and McDermott

      WHEREAS, The incomparable Skagit Valley is the tulip capital of the United States; and

      WHEREAS, Every April, millions of tulips paint our beautiful valley in vivid color, celebrating the beginning of Spring; and

      WHEREAS, The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival begins the festival season in Washington State; and

      WHEREAS, This year's eighteenth annual event will run from April 6 through April 22, focusing on the communities of Sedro-Woolley, Burlington, Anacortes, La Conner, Mount Vernon, Concrete, and Conway; and

      WHEREAS, This year's Tulip Festival Ambassadors will ably and personably perform their responsibilities as representatives of this festival; and

      WHEREAS, More than half a million people visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival last year, participating in the joy and excitement of this annual event, and contributing to the economy of the Skagit Valley and Washington State; and

      WHEREAS, This year's visitors will be greeted by more than one thousand five hundred acres of tulips reflecting all the colors of the rainbow, by the fullness of life in the valley and its wonderful people; and

      WHEREAS, Highlights of the event include the Kiwanis Annual Salmon Barbeque, the Tulip Pedal Bike Ride, the Tulip 10k Slug Run/Walk, the Downtown Mount Vernon Street Fair, and much more;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives salute the seven communities of the Skagit Valley, their Chambers of Commerce, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Ambassadors, and the Tulip Festival Committee for their Skagit Valley Tulip Festival; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the community leaders and corporate sponsors for the success of this important event and encourage citizens from across Washington State to take the time to enjoy this spectacular display; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to Audrey Smith, Tulip Festival Executive Director, and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Ambassadors.

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

      Resolution 4640 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          April 6, 2001.

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