WHEREAS, The history of the automobile is intrinsically linked to the history of America; and
     WHEREAS, Nowhere in our state will this link be made more apparent than when LeMay - America's Car Museum opens its doors to the public in June; and
     WHEREAS, Lifelong Washingtonians Harold and Nancy LeMay amassed the largest privately owned collection of automobiles, other vehicles, and related memorabilia in the world; and
     WHEREAS, At its peak, the LeMay Collection numbered in excess of 3,000 vehicles and thousands of artifacts; and
     WHEREAS, The collection is broadly American and spans the 20th Century powerfully demonstrating both the dominance of the American auto industry in that time period as well as the American experience with the automobile; and
     WHEREAS, The realization of the museum is a project fifteen years in the making; and
     WHEREAS, It will be the largest private automotive museum in the world with a 165,000 square foot building and nine and one-half acre campus located near the Tacoma Dome; and
     WHEREAS, The museum will bring more than 400,000 visitors to Tacoma annually and have an economic impact on the region and local businesses expected to exceed $34 million dollars annually; and
     WHEREAS, The museum has brought worldwide attention to the area through its presence in automotive events in Detroit, New York, Florida, and Italy among others; and
     WHEREAS, Automotive press outlets throughout the country have made mention of the museum through articles appearing in the New York Times, Washington Post, Architectural Digest, Forbes, AutoWeek, Automobile, Road and Track, and others; and
     WHEREAS, The museum's Grand Opening has been identified as "One of the Top 8 Attraction Openings in the World" by USA TODAY;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate congratulates the LeMay - America's Car Museum for completion of this ambitious project during difficult economic times; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate recognizes the museum's board of directors, staff, the City of Tacoma, and Harold and Nancy LeMay all for their tireless work to make a dream a reality; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to representatives from LeMay - America's Car Museum.