WHEREAS, Providing all Washington state children a public education is the paramount duty of the state; and
     WHEREAS, It is impossible to provide our children a quality public education if they cannot get to school, if they are hungry during the school day, or if the schools they arrive at are neglected, cold, or unsafe; and
     WHEREAS, Classified employees are the bus drivers who safely transport, in sometimes dangerous road conditions, over 474,514 students each day in 9,035 buses over 500,000 miles; the child nutrition employees who provide breakfast for 113,518 students and lunches for over 440,000 students each day; the custodian, maintenance, and security employees who ensure that the 2,174 school buildings where our children receive their education are functional, warm, clean, and safe; and
     WHEREAS, Classified employees are the secretaries who make sure that all parents, staff, and most importantly, all children receive the necessary support and services and at the same time provide love and attention to each student's special needs, even if all that is needed is a band-aid, a friendly ear, or a reminder; and
     WHEREAS, Classified employees are the instructional assistants who are increasingly depended upon to provide individualized attention to students in the classroom to ensure they meet the higher academic standards, as well as provide such specialized services as nursing and interpreting for deaf and disabled children, and students who speak other languages; and
     WHEREAS, Classified employees are normally the first employees called upon when there is a threat to our children's safety and security; and
     WHEREAS, It is necessary to employ over 50,000 classified employees to provide these essential support services to the nearly one million students receiving public education; and
     WHEREAS, Washington state students have had their education significantly enhanced by the services of classified school employees; and
     WHEREAS, Washington state citizens seldom reflect on the critical role classified employees play in providing our children a quality education;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate honor classified school employees during Classified School Employee Week, March 8 through 14, 2004, and urge all citizens to join in honoring and recognizing the dedication and hard work of all classified school employees; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Public School Employees of Washington.