WHEREAS, British Columbia and Washington State share a border, many natural resources, and geological and geographic similarities; and
     WHEREAS, British Columbia and Washington State often work together to achieve mutual goals; and
     WHEREAS, The Washington State Constitution expresses the paramount importance of education, which will help prepare young people to lead us into the future; and
     WHEREAS, British Columbia recognizes the importance and value of quality civic education; and
     WHEREAS, Washington State and British Columbia are sponsors of internationally renowned legislative internship programs; and
     WHEREAS, Washington State undergraduate interns work during their winter quarter or spring semester with staff and members of the Washington State House of Representatives or Senate here in Olympia; and
     WHEREAS, In addition to their office work, interns participate in weekly academic seminars and workshops learning about the process of a representative democracy with a bicameral legislature; and
     WHEREAS, The British Columbia parliamentary internship offers an opportunity to university graduates to supplement their academic training by observing the daily workings of Washington State's Legislature and British Columbia's Parliament firsthand; and
     WHEREAS, Interns acquire skills and knowledge they can apply in their chosen careers and future life experiences that will further contribute to a greater public understanding and appreciation of parliamentary government; and
     WHEREAS, British Columbia and Washington State Legislative interns have participated in an exchange program to explore and learn about each other's government processes on nine prior occasions; and
     WHEREAS, We welcome the British Columbia Parliamentary interns to the Washington State Legislature and commend their numerous academic achievements;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor the hardworking and dedicated British Columbian Parliamentary intern program facilitators: Karen Aitken and Jennifer Ives, as well as the British Columbian Parliamentary interns: Kristian Arciaga, Derek Csath, Leila Farmer, Jacob Helliwell, Paul Krawus, Carly Lewis, Ian Madison, Ella Rebalski, Matthew Scarr, and Colin Whelan; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington hereby honor, thank, and celebrate the British Columbian Parliamentary internship participants here today.