The House was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by the Speaker (Representative Moeller presiding). The Clerk called the roll and a quorum was present.

The flags were escorted to the rostrum by a Sergeant at Arms Color Guard, Pages Mistya Beyer and Quinlan Hughes. The Speaker (Representative Moeller presiding) led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The prayer was offered by Reverend Jim Erlandson, Community of Christ, Olympia Washington.

Reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was ordered to stand approved.

RESOLUTIONS

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2011-4637, by Representative Morris

WHEREAS, It is the policy of Washington State to recognize excellence in all fields and areas of study; and

WHEREAS, Washington is a global leader in biotechnology and agricultural research and development; and

WHEREAS, James Cook has distinguished himself as a top research scientist by being named to the National Academy of Scientists, one of the highest awards for an American scientist; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cook has received numerous honors for his contributions as a plant pathologist, including recognition from the American Phytopathological Society and the British Society for Plant Pathology; and

WHEREAS, The Wolf Foundation in Israel, which gives out international awards in sciences and the arts, recently awarded Mr. Cook as a co-winner of the Wolf Prize in Agriculture for his seminal discoveries in plant pathology and soil microbiology that impact crop productivity and disease management;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize and honor Mr. Cook for his long and distinguished career and his many contributions to the field of plant pathology and biotechnology; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to James Cook.

The Speaker (Representative Moeller presiding) stated the question before the House to be adoption of House Resolution No. 4637.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4637 was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2011-4638, by Representative Haler

WHEREAS, Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese exercise and martial art, is a series of individual dance-like movements linked together in a continuous, smooth-flowing sequence; and

WHEREAS, Tai Chi and Qigong teach inner strength while toning muscles, increasing flexibility, and boosting immune power; and

WHEREAS, Tai Chi and Qigong naturally and safely enable people to learn and experience the benefits of concentrating and channeling internal healing energy toward mind and body, and help individuals achieve Tai Chi and Qigong's four key elements of balance, posture, breathing, and concentration; and

WHEREAS, Numerous studies have pointed to the benefits of Tai Chi including stress relief, improved balance and coordination among the elderly, and improved behavior for adolescents with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder; and

WHEREAS, Numerous other studies on Tai Chi relating to stress, the immune system, and general health have been reviewed by the National Institute of Health and can be found at www.worldtaichiday.org; and

WHEREAS, Tai Chi and Qigong are used as helpful stress managers and behavioral modifiers for drug abusers and prison inmates in penal systems throughout the United States of America;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor and recognize the esteemed teachers and dedicated practitioners of both Tai Chi and Qigong, and encourage all Washington residents to recognize the physical and mental health benefits associated with these practices.

The Speaker (Representative Moeller presiding) stated the question before the House to be adoption of House Resolution No. 4638.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4638 was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2011-4639, by Representatives Hasegawa, Chandler, and Santos

WHEREAS, The earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the continental United States was the date of October 18, 1587, when the first "Luzones Indios" set foot in Morro Bay, California; and

WHEREAS, The Filipino American National Historical Society recognizes the year of 1763 as the date of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the United States in St. Malo Parrish, Louisiana, which set in motion the focus on the story of our nation's past from a new perspective by concentrating on the economic, cultural, social, and other notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made in countless ways toward the development of the United States history; and

WHEREAS, Washington State contributed to this history with the recognition of the 1888 documents of Port Blakely on Bainbridge Island, Washington - at the time the largest lumber mill in the world - as listing a "Manilla," the first known employee from the Philippines in the Pacific Northwest; and

WHEREAS, Efforts must continue to promote the study of Filipino American history and culture, as mandated in the mission statement of the Filipino American National Historical Society, because the roles of Filipino Americans and other people of color have been overlooked in the writing, teaching, and learning of United States history; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative for Filipino American youth to have positive role models to instill in them the importance of education, complemented with the richness of their ethnicity and the value of their legacy; and

WHEREAS, Washington State is home to Filipinos, the largest Asian/Pacific Islander ethnic population found in the state, and is the fourth largest state of Filipino Americans in the United States, and the location of historic Filipino communities; and

WHEREAS, Filipinos have served with special distinction in the United States military branches;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge that October 2011 is the 424th anniversary of the presence of Filipinos in the United States, as a significant time to study the advancement of Filipino Americans in the history of Washington and the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Rey Pascua, President of the Filipino American Community of the Yakima Valley, and to the National Office of the Filipino American Historical Society, for further distribution to citizens of the State of Washington.

The Speaker (Representative Moeller presiding) stated the question before the House to be adoption of House Resolution No. 4639.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4639 was adopted.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2011-4640, by Representatives Upthegrove, Liias, Eddy, Cody, Kenney, Billig, Appleton, Miloscia, Dickerson, Haigh, Hudgins, Kelley, Ladenburg, Stanford, Lytton, Reykdal, and Orwall

WHEREAS, Washington State's communities benefit from cultural diversity, cross-cultural dialogue, and the sharing of universal values of love, faith, respect, and equality; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of the State of Washington to welcome all who come to our state, especially those who come in the interest of friendship and commerce; and

WHEREAS, The Washington State and Turkish Constitutions are rooted in the shared principles of democracy, equality, and religious freedom; and

WHEREAS, The Republic of Turkey is the world's fifteenth largest economy and a valued trading partner with the State of Washington, with over three hundred fifty million dollars in products exported to that nation in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Immigrants from the Republic of Turkey and other Turkic nations have contributed to the cultural fabric and economic progress of Washington State, sharing successes in business, science, education, arts, and civic engagement; and

WHEREAS, Turkish citizens and Turkish-Americans take pride in their achievements, and cultural heritage;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognizes the unique and invaluable contributions made by Turkish people living in the State of Washington; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives celebrates the time honored friendships, cultural, educational, and economic relations between Washingtonians, Turkish-Americans, and the citizens of the Republic of Turkey; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the West America Turkic Council and the Acacia Foundation.

The Speaker (Representative Moeller presiding) stated the question before the House to be adoption of House Resolution No. 4640.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4640 was adopted.

The Speaker (Representative Moeller presiding) called upon Representative Cody to preside.

INTRODUCTIONS AND FIRST READING

HB 2019 by Representative Dunshee

AN ACT Relating to the deposit of the additional cigarette tax; amending RCW 82.24.026; and declaring an emergency.

Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

HB 2020 by Representative Dunshee

AN ACT Relating to funding capital projects.

Referred to Committee on Capital Budget.

HB 2021 by Representatives Pettigrew, Darneille, Seaquist, Carlyle, Hunter and Cody

AN ACT Relating to annual increase amounts in the public employees' retirement system plan 1 and the teachers' retirement system plan 1; amending RCW 41.32.483, 41.32.489, 41.40.183, 41.40.197, and 41.45.150; creating a new section; declaring an emergency; and providing an effective date.

Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

There being no objection, the bills listed on the day’s introduction sheet under the fourth order of business were referred to the committees so designated.

There being no objection, the House advanced to the eleventh order of business.

There being no objection, the House adjourned until 9:55 a.m., March 17, 2011, the 67th Day of the Regular Session.

FRANK CHOPP, Speaker

BARBARA BAKER, Chief Clerk