HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2002-4713, by Representatives Boldt, Mielke, Chandler, Ericksen, Pearson, Linville, Barlean, Roach, Casada and Hatfield

      WHEREAS, Washington is home to 247,000 dairy cows; and

      WHEREAS, There are 640 dairy farms in Washington; and

      WHEREAS, 99.9 percent are family owned and operated; and

      WHEREAS, Washington's dairy cows produce more milk per cow than any other in America, averaging more than 22,644 pounds of milk per cow; and

      WHEREAS, Dairy farms are a stable, important key to the economic well‑being of rural Washington; and

      WHEREAS, The economic effect of our state's dairy farmers is estimated at 4.5 billion dollars each year; and

      WHEREAS, Over 4,000 people work on dairy farms, and 40,000 jobs exist to support the industry in processing, distribution, marketing, and supporting services; and

      WHEREAS, Washington's dairy industry is actually older than the state itself; and

      WHEREAS, The first dairy cows came to Washington in 1838 and played an important role in the development of the Pacific Northwest by providing an essential food for settlers; and

      WHEREAS, February 20, 2002, marks the observance of Legislative Dairy Day, an annual event celebrated at the state capitol of the great state of Washington for well over thirty years; and

      WHEREAS, Legislative Dairy Day honors the dairy industry, which is the second largest agricultural industry in this great state of Washington, for the extensive contributions made by the dairy industry to the economic well‑being of our great state of Washington as well as the invaluable contribution made by the dairy industry in providing an indispensable part of a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet, with such irreplaceable products as milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and a great many other dairy products; and

      WHEREAS, Legislative Dairy Day also honors the Washington State Dairy Federation which, as a professional organization of dairy farmers in this great state of Washington, provides an exceptional voice for the contribution and special concerns of the dairy farmers;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State House of Representatives acknowledge and honor the women and men whose work on dairy farms throughout Washington has 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 Dairy Federation.

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

         4713 Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives

                            February 20, 2002.

                      _____________________________

                       Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk