WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and
     WHEREAS, On April 5, 2011, the Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center will celebrate its 40th anniversary of serving the needs of children and adults in Central Washington who have speech and hearing disabilities; and
     WHEREAS, The Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center is a nonprofit community agency established in 1971 by the Yakima Rotary Club, originally serving nine children needing deaf education, and is now the largest speech and hearing center in Central Washington; and
     WHEREAS, The staff of the Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center has grown from 4 in 1971 to 23 today, employing speech language pathologists and educators for the deaf; and
     WHEREAS, The Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center manages more than 17,000 appointments each year for children and adults with communication disabilities; and
     WHEREAS, The Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center's services encompass pediatric through geriatric health care needs, addressing speech and language delay, neurological impairments of communication, traumatic brain injury, dysphasia, feeding impairments, voice disorders, and hearing impairment; and
     WHEREAS, The Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center provides financial support to the Preschool Deaf Program with revenue over expenses from its services and United Way contributions; and
     WHEREAS, The Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center works in concert with Yakima Memorial and Regional hospitals, nursing homes, home health care settings, Yakima Valley School and Children's Village; and
     WHEREAS, The mission of the Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center is to be committed to understanding the needs of its patients and families, providing a service that best achieves its mutual goals, expecting excellence, continually striving to be the best, and remaining trustworthy, ethical, honest, and accountable for its actions;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington honor the Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center for its many years of dedicated service in helping patients and families improve the quality and productivity of their lives; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Yakima Valley Hearing and Speech Center.