WHEREAS, To celebrate the strong ties between the City of Seattle and the Kingdom of Sweden, the Swedish Consulate in Seattle in conjunction with the Swedish Embassy, the Nordic Heritage Museum, and the Swedish Cultural Center has declared May 3rd through May 9th, 2010, Seattle Sweden Week; and
     WHEREAS, The goal of Sweden Week is to honor the strong and enduring relationship between Sweden and the Pacific Northwest and to recognize the many contributions that Swedish-Americans have made to Washington State's history, culture, business, arts, and its people; and
     WHEREAS, Swedish immigrants and their descendants have made a profound impact by furthering the proud democratic traditions and creative contributions that have defined the United States and made our country a beacon of liberty and progress to the world; and
     WHEREAS, To underline the influence of Sweden in Seattle, Sweden Week will showcase Swedish film, music, literature, food, fashion, and other forms of creative expression; and
     WHEREAS, Among the many prominent and distinguished visitors to participate in Sweden Week, Seattle will have the great honor of receiving Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine of Sweden and His Excellency the Swedish Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Jonas Hafström; and
     WHEREAS, Sweden Week will commemorate Swedish Hospital's centennial, the centennial of the University of Washington's Scandinavian Department and the five Nobel Laureates connected to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, The Nordic Heritage Museum, in partnership with the Ethnic Heritage Council, Washington State Jewish Historical Society, the Jewish Federation of Seattle, and the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center, will honor the legacy of Raoul Wallenberg and his humanitarian efforts during World War II to rescue Jews from the Holocaust; and
     WHEREAS, Sweden Week will also include a three-day conference focusing on sharing ideas and knowledge between Swedish and American businesses, specifically in the business sectors of clean technology, sustainable development, modern medical technology, and information technology, areas in which both Sweden and the Pacific Northwest transcend;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate does hereby acknowledge and honor the long-standing ties between the people of our State and the people of the Kingdom of Sweden; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Embassy of Sweden, the Swedish Consulate in Seattle, the Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce, the Nordic Heritage Museum, and the Swedish Cultural Center.