WHEREAS, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the daughter of a British grocer, rose to become the first woman to lead a conservative political party and Britain's first female Prime Minister; and
     WHEREAS, While serving as Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher was an unapologetic supporter of the special relationship forged between the United Kingdom and the United States and maintained with unyielding resolve that together the two nations could defeat the communist Soviet empire and extend freedom's promise; and
     WHEREAS, Margaret Thatcher, who was the longest serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century, worked tirelessly during her 11 years and 209 days in office to end Britain's precipitous decline and restore the confidence and pride that is the hallmark of the Old Empire at its best; and
     WHEREAS, She earned the respect of the world and the nickname the "Iron Lady" from the Soviet press for her uncompromising political savvy and decisive style of leadership; and
     WHEREAS, She did not base her policies on textbook political or economic theory but on the values and attitudes everyday people lived by, with guiding sayings such as an honest day's work for an honest day's pay and live within your means and pay your bills on time; and
     WHEREAS, Her work to restructure the British financial system provided paramount examples of the proper way to revitalize economies around the world; and
     WHEREAS, Her policies helped expand women's rights; and
     WHEREAS, Margaret Thatcher demonstrated confidence, conviction, and decisiveness during events such as the Falklands War; and
     WHEREAS, She believed a life's path is determined by a force more powerful than fate and everyone is brought together for a profound purpose to accomplish much more than any individual would be able to on his or her own;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor the life, accomplishments, and legacy of Baroness Margaret Thatcher and strive to live by her words, "Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope."