WHEREAS, 2017 marks Finland's 100th year of independence and, in honor of its centennial, the Nordic country of 5.5 million people has organized the Finland 100, a year of celebration in which to remember and look forward; and

WHEREAS, Finland's struggle to become independent and maintain that independence is worthy of remembrance and recognition; and

WHEREAS, On December 6, 1917, Finland declared itself an independent republic, repudiating its status as a semiautonomous grand duchy of Russia whose major decisions had been subject to the approval of the tsar; and

WHEREAS, Before coming under Russian rule in 1809, Finland was a part of Sweden for over 600 years, but despite centuries of foreign control, Finland developed and retained its own identity, language, culture, and economy; and

WHEREAS, The Finnish people's desire to be free from an outside empire's authority and to exercise self-determination may be expressed by a phrase famous throughout Finland "Swedes we are not, Russians we will not be, so let us be Finns"; and

WHEREAS, Finland's independence did not come easily or without cost, as the struggle over the control of the government for the new country led to a civil war in 1918 in which more than 37,000 Finns died; and

WHEREAS, Following the civil war, Finland's emphasis on national reconciliation helped strengthen the young republic, and the country experienced rapid social and economic progress; and

WHEREAS, Finland twice defended itself against the Soviet Union during World War II and, though ceding some lands in a peace settlement, was able to maintain its independence; and

WHEREAS, In its 100 years of independence, Finland has transformed itself into a technologically advanced nation, universally recognized for its advanced social welfare policies; outstanding educational system; high standard of living; sophisticated economy; and enviable achievements in music, the arts, and design; all of which have contributed to its repeated ranking among the best places on earth to live;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate celebrate December 6, 2017, as the centennial of Finnish independence and encourage all Washingtonians to join in celebrating the Finland 100.