S-1405.2  _______________________________________________

                    SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8016

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State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators Shin, Rasmussen and Sheahan

Read first time 02/15/2001.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture & International Trade.

Emphasizing free and fair trade of aquaculture products between the United States and Canada.

    TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:

    We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, The aquaculture industry in Washington state produces high-quality, pathogen-free, live salmon and trout eggs and smolts for sale to public agencies and private companies throughout the world; and

    WHEREAS, Washington state's aquaculture industry employs hundreds of people in well-paying, technical positions located in many rural communities throughout the state, generating forty million dollars worth of products; and

    WHEREAS, Canadian fish farmers have expressed the desire to purchase high-quality salmon and trout eggs and smolts from Washington state producers; and

    WHEREAS, Many fish farmers in the United States currently purchase salmon and trout eggs and smolts from Canada; and

    WHEREAS, Increased freedom to engage in the commercial trade of aquacultural products between the United States and Canada will only help our two nations grow more prosperous;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the government of the United States emphasize the importance of the free and fair trade of aquacultural products in its relations with the government of Canada.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

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