WHEREAS, The Washington Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation, incorporated in 1977, established and administers a leadership-development program for Washington's agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries; and

WHEREAS, Participants in the AgForestry Leadership Program embark on a challenging two-year track that blends a dozen in-state seminars with study and travel at the national and international levels, with the goal of producing strong, able, informed leaders who not only excel in their chosen professions but also possess critical communication, public policy, and collaboration skills; and

WHEREAS, David Roseleip, a Montana native and Montana State University graduate from a longtime farming family, was working for Farm Credit Banks in Spokane when, in 1978, he was selected as one of the 30 participants in AgForestry Leadership Class 1, which graduated in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Dave Roseleip became the third president of the AgForestry Foundation in 1984 and served in that capacity for the next 30 years, during which time he also took on the duties of program director beginning with Leadership Class 6; and

WHEREAS, Dave Roseleip has overseen the recruitment and selection of Leadership Classes 7 through 37, presided over the graduation of 31 of the 35 AgForestry leadership classes, and seen the foundation grow to receive annual support from more than 750 paid members; and

WHEREAS, In the mid-1980s, Dave Roseleip, along with other graduates, helped form what is now known as the Alumni Council for the AgForestry Leadership Program, which provides networking and continuing-education opportunities to the more than 1,000 AgForestry graduates; and

WHEREAS, His passion and dedication for the development of effective leaders led Dave Roseleip to co-found, in 1986, the International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership, an international consortium of agriculture, forestry, and rural leadership programs in the United States and countries abroad; and

WHEREAS, Dave Roseleip has generously shared his deep well of knowledge by also serving on the boards of Farming and the Environment, Pacific Northwest Farm Forum, Washington Biodiversity Council, and the Washington Agriculture Council; and

WHEREAS, Dave Roseleip will retire from AgForestry effective June 30, 2015, yet he will remain active by raising funds for the foundation's endowment fund, all while spending time with his wife Jan, their five children, and many grandchildren;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate congratulate David Roseleip on an entire career spent training two generations of leaders, who include past and present state senators and representatives, city and county commissioners, small and large-acreage producers, farmers, ranchers, and proprietors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to David Roseleip and to the AgForestry Foundation.