WHEREAS, Washington's pulp and paper mill workers have dedicated their time, sweat, and labor to one of our state's most vital manufacturing industries; and
     WHEREAS, In 2008 Washington's economy succumbed to the economic crisis that spread across our nation and around the globe; and
     WHEREAS, This crisis was the worst economic disaster in our nation's history since the Great Depression; and
     WHEREAS, As a result of the economic downturn, Washington's pulp and paper mill workers saw their once prosperous livelihood suffer; and
     WHEREAS, These workers made great concessions, so that despite the hardships they and their families would face, the industry would endure; and
     WHEREAS, Some of these workers accepted austerity measures and continued to work with severe cuts to both their pay and hours; and
     WHEREAS, Other workers were forced to make even greater sacrifices, finding themselves jobless after decades of working in the industry; and
     WHEREAS, There is now a burgeoning future for pulp and paper mill workers in Washington; and
     WHEREAS, One mill in Grays Harbor that shut down during the peak of the economic downturn has since reopened; and
     WHEREAS, As the industry continues to regain its momentum, we must remember the workers who accepted the unfortunate but necessary austerity and unemployment measures in the face of the industry's potential demise; and
     WHEREAS, These workers had a direct yet difficult role in keeping Washington's pulp and paper mill industry alive;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington thank the pulp and paper mill workers of our state for their sacrifice and dedication both before and during the economic crisis, and into the future as the industry rebounds.