WHEREAS, The first creamery in Washington was started in Cheney in 1880; and

WHEREAS, Washington's dairy industry is actually older than the state itself; and

WHEREAS, Families across Washington have depended on the safe and nutritious dairy products provided by the dairy farmers of Washington state for generations; and

WHEREAS, Dairy is an essential part of a healthy diet, one of the major food groups represented on the USDA's "MyPlate" dietary guidelines, and three cups of dairy products a day are recommended for people ages nine years and older; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately four hundred twenty family dairy farms in Washington state with approximately two hundred seventy-seven thousand dairy cows; and

WHEREAS, Dairy foods constitute the second highest dollar-valued agricultural commodity produced in Washington, with a direct economic impact valued at 2.3 billion dollars and a total value to Washington's economy of more than 5.2 billion dollars; and

WHEREAS, There are over six thousand one hundred eighty-four on-farm dairy jobs in twenty-nine counties across Washington, and over twelve thousand one hundred fifty-nine jobs in the dairy industry in total; and

WHEREAS, Our state's milk production ranked second in dollar value among all of Washington's bountiful agricultural commodities; and

WHEREAS, Washington's dairy cows are some of the most productive in the United States, averaging more than one thousand four hundred fifty-five pounds of milk per cow above the national average; and

WHEREAS, Washington ranks sixth in milk production per cow, with twenty-three thousand eight hundred forty-eight pounds of milk per year; and

WHEREAS, Dairy Day at the legislature takes place on January 24, 2017, when legislators will visit with Washington dairy producers and enjoy delicious dairy products produced in Washington; handed out by the Washington State Dairy Federation, Washington State Dairy Women, and the state and county Dairy Ambassadors;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate acknowledge and honor the women and men whose work on dairy farms throughout Washington has contributed much to the strength and vitality of our economy, the character of our communities, and the general well-being of our citizens; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Washington State Dairy Ambassador Alicia Smaciarz, alternate Ambassadors Jana Plagerman and Tiana Peterson, and the Washington State Dairy Federation.