WHEREAS, The citizens of Washington value postsecondary education and are supportive of young people who seek to obtain a postsecondary education; and
     WHEREAS, The rising cost of postsecondary education makes it difficult for many families to finance such a pursuit; and
     WHEREAS, The Dollars for Scholars organization is committed to creating local scholarship opportunities for the students of this state and promoting private sector scholarships; and
     WHEREAS, There are one hundred eight Dollars for Scholars chapters serving communities across Washington that have already raised over twelve million dollars and awarded seven thousand one hundred ten scholarships to Washington students since 1987; and
     WHEREAS, During 2001, the Dollars for Scholars chapters in this state awarded over two and one-half million dollars to one thousand four hundred seventeen Washington students; and
     WHEREAS, The national office of the Dollars for Scholars program selected Washington as a recipient of funds with which to organize a state Dollars for Scholars office; and
     WHEREAS, A state office aids in strengthening the existing programs and in developing new chapters dedicated to awarding scholarships to our students; and
     WHEREAS, The national Dollars for Scholars program has been rated one of the top education charities by Smart Money magazine for five years in a row;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate commend the volunteers and staff of the Dollars for Scholars program for being selected to establish a state office and commend the young Washington scholarship recipients for their hard work and dedication to the pursuit of education; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the national office of Dollars for Scholars and to the director of the Washington Dollars for Scholars program.