WHEREAS, The policy of the Washington State Senate is to recognize and honor its past leaders and those individuals who, by their own standards of excellence and dedication to public service, advanced the well-being and best interests of the citizens of the state of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, The Territory of Washington was created by Act of Congress and approved by President Millard Fillmore on March 2, 1853; and
     WHEREAS, A proclamation issued by newly appointed Governor Isaac I. Stevens established the government of Washington Territory under the terms of the Organic Act passed by Congress in 1853; and
     WHEREAS, On February 27, 1854, on the second floor of the Parker-Coulter Dry Goods Store on Main Street in Olympia, the very first legislative assembly of the Territory of Washington convened, consisting of a nine-member Council and an eighteen-member House of Representatives that arrived on foot, by horse-drawn wagon, on horseback, by canoe, or by small boat; and
     WHEREAS, The Territory of Washington stretched over what has been described as a geographic monstrosity sprawling eastward from the Pacific Ocean to the Continental Divide, from the Canadian border south to Utah, interspersed with huge forests, roaring rivers, and rocky shores of ice with impassable barriers of snow; and
     WHEREAS, Upon hearing of his election to the Territorial Legislature, one legislator reportedly made out his will, settled all his worldly accounts, and bid his friends adieu - perhaps forever, demonstrating the resolve and commitment required to govern the new Territory;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate celebrate the convening of the first Washington Territorial Legislature and recognize and honor the contributions of those legislators in creating the foundation for the Territory and later, the State, of Washington and establishing and fostering our democratic institutions; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage every citizen to rededicate himself or herself to the vision, courage, sacrifices, determination, faith, ideals, and character of these early citizens, and to the higher level of citizenship that will reflect itself in a determination to continue the memorable progress of the past one hundred fifty years and build an even greater legacy for the future; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Washington Territorial Sesquicentennial Commission chaired by Secretary of State Sam Reed and First Lady Mona Lee Locke, the Washington State House of Representatives, Governor Gary Locke, and the Washington State Historical Society.