HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2002-4711, by Representatives Holmquist, Linville, Mulliken, Morris, Sump, Reardon, Pflug, Sullivan, Ericksen, Kirby, Orcutt, Jackley, Schmidt, Kenney, Boldt, O'Brien, Benson, Darneille, Ahern, Hunt, Roach, McDermott, Alexander, Kagi, Chandler, Veloria, Pearson, Cody, Dunn, Conway, DeBolt, Cooper, Delvin, Fisher, Morell, Gombosky, Jarrett, Haigh, McMorris, Fromhold, Schindler, Berkey, Clements, Chase, Crouse, Edwards, Ballasiotes, Lysen, Talcott, Tokuda, Buck, Sommers, Mielke, Schual‑Berke, Lisk, Ogden, Cox, Chopp, Casada, Grant, Barlean, Hatfield, Campbell, Santos, Esser, Anderson, Mitchell, Armstrong, Woods and Hankins

 

      WHEREAS, From the tasty red potatoes of Skagit Valley to the mighty russets of the Columbia Basin, potatoes are cherished throughout Washington; and

      WHEREAS, The Washington potato industry adds three billion dollars to the state's annual economy and adds some twenty-eight thousand jobs; and

      WHEREAS, Washington state is the third largest producer of potatoes in the United States; and

      WHEREAS, Potatoes are the second largest crop grown in Washington; and

      WHEREAS, Washington state produces more potatoes per acre than anywhere else in the world; and

      WHEREAS, There are nearly three hundred proud potato growers in the state of Washington harvesting nearly one hundred sixty-five thousand acres of potatoes each year; and

      WHEREAS, Eighty-seven percent of potatoes are sold to processors who carefully and lovingly transform them into golden fries, crunchy chips, and whipped and creamy mashed potatoes; and

      WHEREAS, Due to the long, warm days and cool nights in the mineral-rich volcanic soil of the Columbia Basin, potatoes grow up to be the light, fluffy, high-solids potatoes known worldwide; and

      WHEREAS, Nearly nine out of every ten potatoes is marketed outside of Washington state, with a significant portion of these going to overseas markets;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge and honor the women and men who plant, grow, harvest, and process potatoes in Washington state and who have contributed so much to the strength and vitality of our state and its economy, the character of our communities, and the general well-being of our citizens; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Washington State Potato Commission and to Washington potato lovers everywhere.

 

 

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

      4711 Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives

                        February 19, 2002.

 

 

                   _____________________________

                   Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk