BILL REQ. #:  H-0640.1 

Read first time 01/15/2003.   Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

     TO THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE, THE UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, THE VANCOUVER 2010 BID CORPORATION, THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA, AND THE PREMIER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA:
     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 State of Washington has a close cultural, economic, and intergovernmental relationship with the Canadian province of British Columbia; and
     WHEREAS, This close relationship has been developed further by working together on world class civic events like the 1986 World's Fair in Vancouver B.C. and sharing the economic benefits of such world class events; and
     WHEREAS, The State of Washington and British Columbia both are members of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region representing the tenth largest economy in the world; and
     WHEREAS, The 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, generated over one billion dollars in revenue and spending in the entire western region; and
     WHEREAS, The region has legacy facilities from world class civic events. These facilities include the Space Needle, BC Place, the sky train, and the monorail to name a few; and
     WHEREAS, The Pacific Northwest Economic Region as a whole, but particularly tourism, emerging industries, and small businesses, will benefit from an estimated six billion dollars worth of worldwide media attention; and
     WHEREAS, Benefits accrue in excess of ten years, on a continuing basis, from increased tourism;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully communicate our support for backing the Vancouver 2010 Olympic bid.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the International Olympic Organizing Committee, the United States Olympic Committee, the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation, the Prime Minister of Canada, and the Premier of British Columbia.