HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2020-4662

HR 4662

ByRepresentatives Jinkins, Wilcox, Appleton, Barkis, Bergquist, Blake, Boehnke, Caldier, Callan, Chambers, Chandler, Chapman, Chopp, Cody, Corry, Davis, DeBolt, Dent, Doglio, Dolan, Duerr, Dufault, Dye, Entenman, Eslick, Fey, Fitzgibbon, Frame, Gildon, Goehner, Goodman, Graham, Gregerson, Griffey, Hansen, Harris, Hoff, Hudgins, Irwin, Jenkin, J. Johnson, Kilduff, Kirby, Klippert, Kloba, Kraft, Kretz, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Lovick, MacEwen, Macri, Maycumber, McCaslin, Mead, Morgan, Mosbrucker, Orcutt, Ormsby, Ortiz-Self, Orwall, Paul, Pellicciotti, Peterson, Pettigrew, Pollet, Ramel, Ramos, Riccelli, Robinson, Rude, Ryu, Santos, Schmick, Sells, Senn, Shea, Shewmake, Slatter, Smith, Springer, Steele, Stokesbary, Stonier, Sullivan, Sutherland, Tarleton, Thai, Tharinger, Valdez, Van Werven, Vick, Volz, Walen, Walsh, Wylie, Ybarra, and Young

WHEREAS, Originally established in 1855 to celebrate George Washington's birthday, the United States celebrates Presidents' Day on the third Monday of February; and

WHEREAS, Washington is the only state named after a president, the first president of the United States, George Washington; and

WHEREAS, George Washington led the Continental Army against the larger and more powerful British Army, triumphed in the face of adversity, and thus established the United States of America on the principle of freedom for all; and

WHEREAS, President Abraham Lincoln led the United States of America through the Civil War, and ended slavery by signing the Emancipation Proclamation; and

WHEREAS, The framers crafted this nation and our Constitution to protect the freedoms and liberties of all its citizens, and establish a democratic republic that exemplifies leadership and justice, with a president operating under the rule of law with the consent of the governed instead of a king with unlimited power; and

WHEREAS, The United States was created as a beacon of hope and refuge from tyrannical governments providing liberty to people of all cultures; and

WHEREAS, The presidents of the United States exemplify fairmindedness, determination, and the ability to unite a diverse Congress to pass legislation benefiting every citizen of the United States; and

WHEREAS, No Presidents' Day would be accurately celebrated without recognizing the strengths and successes of the first ladies of the United States; and

WHEREAS, The first ladies of the United States are role models to all generations of Americans, and consistently prove to be advocates of equality, even during times of despair; and

WHEREAS, The presidents of the United States and the first ladies are protectors of justice for all citizens of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Presidents' Day honors all of those who have and who will sacrifice to lead and protect the United States;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That on this seventeenth day of February 2020, the House of Representatives honor George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and all other presidents for their contributions to the causes of liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness.