The House was called to order at 9:55 a.m. by the Speaker (Representative Ormsby presiding).

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

RESOLUTION

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4641, by Representative Stanford

WHEREAS, On April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck 50 miles west of Kathmandu in Nepal; and

WHEREAS, Thousands have been injured or have lost their lives to the earthquake, which is the most powerful earthquake in Nepal in over 80 years; and

WHEREAS, Tent cities have been fashioned for the countless more who have lost their homes or cannot return home for fear of aftershocks; and

WHEREAS, The destruction of Buddhist stupas and Durbar squares in the Kathmandu Valley has resulted in irreparable damage to Nepal's cultural heritage; and

WHEREAS, Courageous first responders, members of the national guard, and civilians have worked tirelessly and selflessly to save the lives of those stranded on mountain tops, cut off in remote villages, and buried under rubble; and

WHEREAS, The full extent of the damage from this tragedy is still unknown;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives express its deepest and most heartfelt condolences for the people of Nepal's unfathomable loss; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Embassy of Nepal in the United States and the Nepal Seattle Society.

The Speaker (Representative Ormsby presiding) stated the question before the House to be adoption of House Resolution No. 4641.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4641 was adopted.

RESOLUTION

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4642, by Representative Klippert

WHEREAS, National Missing Children's Day was first observed in 1983, following a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan; and

WHEREAS, May 25, 2015, will be the 32nd National Missing Children's Day; and

WHEREAS, National Missing Children's Day honors our nation's obligation to locate and recover missing children by prompting parents, guardians, and other trusted adult role models to make child safety an utmost priority; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year, more than 58,000 children are abducted by nonfamily members each year, and more than 2,000 children are reported missing every day; and

WHEREAS, Congress' efforts to provide resources, training, and technical assistance has increased the capability of state and local law enforcement to find children and return them home safely; and

WHEREAS, The 1979 disappearance of 6 year old Etan Patz served as the impetus for the first proclamation of National Missing Children's Day in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Etan's photo was distributed nationwide and appeared in media globally, and the powerful image came to represent the anguish of thousands of searching families;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the observation of National Missing Children's Day and encourage all Americans to join together to plan events in communities across America to raise public awareness about the issue of missing children and the need to address this national problem; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize that one of the most important tools for law enforcement to use in the case of a missing child is an up-to-date, good quality photograph and urge all parents and guardians to take this important precaution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge that National Missing Children's Day should remind Americans not to forget the children who are still missing and not to waver in the effort to reunite them with their families.

The Speaker (Representative Ormsby presiding) stated the question before the House to be adoption of House Resolution No. 4642.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4642 was adopted.

RESOLUTION

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4643, by Representative Klippert

WHEREAS, Public Service Recognition Week provides an opportunity to recognize and promote the important contributions of public servants and honor the diverse men and women who meet the needs of the nation through work at all levels of government; and

WHEREAS, The contributions made by public employees in this state have strengthened our belief that public service is a noble profession; and

WHEREAS, The professionalism and expertise demonstrated by public employees in this state in carrying out a wide variety of services have helped build a strong foundation for our government; and

WHEREAS, Public employees have served the people of Washington well, even in difficult times; and

WHEREAS, Public servants have bravely fought in armed conflict in defense of this nation and its ideals, and deserve the care and benefits they have earned through their honorable service; and

WHEREAS, Government workers have much to offer, as demonstrated by their expertise and innovative ideas, and serve as examples by passing on institutional knowledge to train the next generation of public servants; and

WHEREAS, May 4, 2015, through May 8, 2015, has been designated by Congress as Public Service Recognition Week to honor America's federal, state, and local government employees; and

WHEREAS, The State of Washington wishes to pay tribute to all public employees in the state for dedicating themselves to improving the quality of life for all of the people of Washington;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives commend public servants for their outstanding contributions to this great state and nation during Public Service Recognition Week and throughout the year.

The Speaker (Representative Ormsby presiding) stated the question before the House to be adoption of House Resolution No. 4643.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4643 was adopted.

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., May 7, 2015, the 9th Day of the First Special Session.

FRANK CHOPP, Speaker

BARBARA BAKER, Chief Clerk