SENATE RESOLUTION

                            8673

By Senators Hargrove, Costa, McCaslin, Johnson, Hale, Oke, Parlette, Roach, Eide, Kohl-Welles, Benton, Brown, Carlson, Constantine, Deccio, Fairley, Finkbeiner, Franklin, Fraser, Gardner, Haugen, Hewitt, Hochstatter, Honeyford, Horn, Jacobsen, Kastama, Kline, Long, McAuliffe, McDonald, Morton, Patterson, Prentice, Rasmussen, Regala, Rossi, Sheahan, Sheldon, B., Sheldon, T., Shin, Snyder, Spanel, Stevens, Swecker, Thibaudeau, West, Winsley, and Zarelli

     WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislative Intern Program has been serving the state of Washington with excellence since 1955; and

     WHEREAS, The Legislature is energized on an annual basis by the enthusiasm of a fine group of students, eager to learn and contribute; and

     WHEREAS, The experiences gained from this program have motivated these students to continue in service, and many former interns have continued into lifelong careers of dedicated public service to the state of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Education is the top priority for our state, and this program exemplifies our dedication to educating for the future of our state; and

     WHEREAS, It behooves us to invest in the students who have demonstrated a special interest in government and the political system as a means of training tomorrow's leaders; and

     WHEREAS, The tremendous success of the intern program not only is a testament to the success of our colleges and universities, but it also contributes to the future success of these institutions by returning students to their campuses who have been motivated to participate in government and public discourse; and

     WHEREAS, Washington State has once again shown its ingenuity and leadership in developing a program that has motivated other states to develop similar programs, using Washington State's Legislative Intern Program as a model; and

     WHEREAS, The outstanding commitment and leadership of Judi Best and Joan Elgee, in combination with previous directors, have helped to develop the outstanding reputation this program has earned; and

     WHEREAS, It is important to acknowledge the contributions of everyone involved in the intern program and encourage these students in the pursuit of service;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate hereby recognize and honor the contributions of the students involved in the Washington State Legislative Intern Program by designating Monday, April 16, 2001, and the second Monday in March in subsequent years as Intern Day, when we will have the opportunity to thank our interns; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Senate Intern Coordinator Judi Best and the colleges and universities participating in the intern program.

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8673,

adopted by the Senate April 16, 2001.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate