WHEREAS, The United States Winter Olympic team won more medals than any of its predecessors during the 2010 Vancouver Games; and
     WHEREAS, Athletes from throughout the State of Washington made invaluable and inspirational contributions to their own sports and to the success of the U.S. team as a whole; and
     WHEREAS, Spokane's Will Brandenburg was a standout member of the U.S. Alpine Ski Team, which dominated the Olympics with more medals than any of its predecessors; and
     WHEREAS, Redmond's Holly Brooks inspired her adopted home of Anchorage, Alaska and her more than 100 cross-country skiing students with her improbable and inspirational push to make the Olympic team; and
     WHEREAS, Federal Way's J.R. Celski overcame a devastating injury just a few months ago to win bronze in speed skating; and
     WHEREAS, Cle Elum's Patrick Deneen's Olympic dreams crashed to the ground in the moguls jump finals after attempting a daring jump in the pursuit of victory; and
     WHEREAS, Leavenworth's Torin Koos, participating in his third Olympics, nearly helped bring the U.S. cross-country ski team its first medal since 1976; and
     WHEREAS, Woodinville's Christian Niccum and his teammate Dan Joye finished tops among American Lugers; and
     WHEREAS, Bremerton's Bree Schaaf further proved her versatility as an athlete by placing fifth in the bobsleigh after competing in skeleton in previous Olympiads; and
     WHEREAS, Blaine's Karen Thatcher scored four goals and recorded three assists as the forward led the Women's Hockey Team to a silver medal; and
     WHEREAS, Seattle's Apolo Anton Ohno, claimed three more medals in speed skating to push his career total to eight, making him the most decorated Winter Olympian in U.S. history;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor and salute the dedication, desire, and natural ability that it takes to become an Olympic athlete; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate applaud Washington's own Olympic athletes for their inspiration and contributions to their state and their country.