HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2002-4729, by Representatives Quall, Haigh, Talcott and Cox

      WHEREAS, Providing all Washington State children a public education is the paramount duty of the state; and

      WHEREAS, It is impossible to provide our children a quality public education if they cannot get to school, if they are hungry during the school day, or if the schools they arrive at are neglected, cold, and unsafe; and

      WHEREAS, Classified employees are the bus drivers who are safely transporting, in sometimes dangerous road conditions, over 463,105 students each day in 8,874 busses over 465,000 miles; the child nutrition employees providing lunches for over 459,000 students each day; and the custodian, maintenance, and security employees ensuring that the 2,071 school buildings where our children are receiving their education are functional, warm, clean, and safe; and

      WHEREAS, Classified employees are the secretaries who make sure that all parents, staff, and most important, all children receive the necessary support and services while at the same time providing love and attention to each student's special needs, even if all that is needed is a Band-Aid, a friendly ear, or reminder; and

      WHEREAS, Classified employees are the instructional assistants who are increasingly depended upon to provide individualized attention to students in the classroom to ensure they meet the higher academic standards, as well as provide such specialized services as nursing and interpreting for deaf and disabled children and students who speak other languages; and

      WHEREAS, Classified employees are normally the first employees called upon when there is a threat to our children's safety and security; and

      WHEREAS, It is necessary to employ over fifty thousand classified employees to provide these essential support services to the nearly one million students receiving public education; and

      WHEREAS, Washington State students have had their education significantly enhanced by the services of classified school employees; and

      WHEREAS, Washington State citizens seldom reflect on the critical role classified employees play in providing our children a quality education;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor classified school employees during Classified School Employee Week, March 11 through 15, 2002, and urge all citizens to join in honoring and recognizing the dedication and hard work of all classified school employees; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Public School Employees of Washington.

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

         4729 Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives

                              March 6, 2002.

                      _____________________________

                       Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk