WHEREAS, 100 years ago, the Washington State Legislature passed the Washington Public Port District Act; and
     WHEREAS, Washington's Public Port Districts are local governments run by citizen-elected Port Commissioners and bring the benefits of seaports, airports, harbors, and marinas critical to our state's economy; and
     WHEREAS, Public Port Districts are the economic engine for communities across Washington, annually providing hundreds of thousands of jobs; and
     WHEREAS, Washington Public Ports Day is a public event cosponsored by all 75 Public Port Districts and the Washington Public Ports Association; and
     WHEREAS, Governor Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, proclaimed March 14, 2011, as Washington Public Ports Day;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate commend the Ports of the State of Washington for providing a means to export Washington Products worldwide, receiving goods, providing services, and creating jobs for thousands of Washingtonians.