SENATE RESOLUTION

                             8662

By Senator Hewitt

     WHEREAS, Walla Walla has earned a 2001 Great American Main Street Award presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation; and

     WHEREAS, only five such awards are presented annually across the nation; and

     WHEREAS, Walla Walla turned around its downtown and reduced empty storefronts from 30 percent in 1985 to only 4 percent today by undertaking a major streetscape project; and

     WHEREAS, Walla Walla=s revitalization project proves that Main Street can not only compete with big box retail, it can also change an entire community; and

     WHEREAS, by attacking its economic problems head-on, the people of Walla Walla honored their city=s past and gave it a future; and

     WHEREAS, historic and landmark buildings have been renovated, redeveloped, and expanded to attract high-tech office space, restaurants; and retail businesses;

     WHEREAS, downtown Walla Walla provides tourists and residents a place to enjoy festivals, concerts, farmer=s markets, celebrations, and parades;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, that the citizens, community leaders, and business owners of Walla Walla be recognized for investing in their city=s heart and soul and for achieving recognition as a Great American Main Street;

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Mayor and City Council of Walla Walla, to the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, to the Walla Walla County Commissioners, to the Washington State Tourism Council and to the Director of Walla Walla Downtown Foundation, Timothy Bishop.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8662,

adopted by the Senate April 13, 2001.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate