TO THE HONORABLE BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO EACH MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND TO THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, Washington state is the most trade dependent state in the country, and forty percent of all jobs in Washington state are tied to trade; and

WHEREAS, Puget Sound ports are the third largest container port gateway in North America; and

WHEREAS, The ports of Seattle and Tacoma generate over four billion dollars in economic activity each year, making them one of the largest economic sectors in the state; and

WHEREAS, the ports of Seattle and Tacoma have become highly congested, partially as a result of the stalled contract negotiations between the Pacific maritime association and the international longshore and warehouse union; and

WHEREAS, Washington state's agriculture industry has been hit hard by the congestion at the ports, which has caused apples to rot and Christmas trees to wither while sitting in containers waiting to be shipped to overseas customers; and

WHEREAS, Washington state is home to some of the largest export manufacturers in the country, producing products that not only depend on ports to export their goods, but also depend on ports for a steady and dependable supply of import parts and materials; and

WHEREAS, All Washington state exporters are at risk of losing overseas customers to suppliers from other parts of the world, customers who were won by our exporters at great effort and expense;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the President, Executive Branch Agencies, and Congress take all steps necessary to assist the Pacific maritime association and the international longshore and warehouse union to reach a fair and equitable resolution of their negotiations and adopt a contract that will promote the competitiveness of Washington state ports.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each member of Congress from the State of Washington, the Secretary of the United States Department of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce.

--- END ---