WHEREAS, Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, was founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold and has since blossomed into the largest Zionist organization, the largest Jewish organization, and the largest women's membership organization in the United States; and
     WHEREAS, Hadassah now has more than 300,000 members in 1,200 chapters across the United States; and
     WHEREAS, For more than ninety years Hadassah has carried out a proud tradition of mitzvot, or good deeds, that have improved health, relieved suffering, educated minds, and inspired hearts in every state of the Union and in Israel; and
     WHEREAS, Hadassah has served as an international leader in humanitarian relief, from its earliest life-saving efforts in Palestine to the current Hadassah Tsunami Relief Fund, which is saving lives today; and
     WHEREAS, Hadassah hospitals, community health centers, and outpatient clinics, maintained through the generosity and leadership of Hadassah, provide state-of-the-art health care to nearly one million patients each year regardless of race, religion, creed, or national origin and serve as a model of peaceful coexistence in the Middle East, often treating the most critically wounded in that region's ongoing conflicts; and
     WHEREAS, Hadassah programs throughout the United States are engaged in vital health education programs on breast cancer and osteoporosis, voter registration efforts, humanitarian relief efforts to distressed communities, Jewish education, and advocacy to promote mutual understanding and partnerships between the people of the United States and Israel; and
     WHEREAS, The first Seattle chapter of Hadassah was founded in 1913 by Mrs. Gisell Herzog, and the Pacific Northwest Region of Hadassah now has over 3,000 members enriching our region; and
     WHEREAS, The Pacific Northwest Chapter of Hadassah is taking part in a nationwide effort of more than 300,000 Hadassah women to visit their legislators on March 2, 2005, to discuss issues of concern;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington congratulate Hadassah for more than 90 years of service and honor the spirit, the history, and the ongoing contributions of Hadassah to the people of Washington and the world; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted to the Hadassah national offices in New York and Washington, D.C. and the Seattle Chapter of Hadassah in Seattle as an expression of our esteem.