HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 95-4655, by Representatives Carlson and Ogden

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

      WHEREAS, The Fort Vancouver High School Mock Trial Team has exhibited the highest level of excellence by their scholastic and extracurricular program achievement; and

      WHEREAS, Scholastic achievement is kindred and akin to the values for achievement in life, inasmuch as the setting of the very highest goals and aspirations and the persistence, dedication, sacrifice, commitment, focus, effort, skill, talent and teamwork to obtain these goals and aspirations all correspond to lifetime and personal achievement; and

      WHEREAS, Participation and contribution in extracurricular programs demonstrates the initiative of success, the inspiration of improvement, the motivation of competition, and the surmounting of challenge; and

      WHEREAS, In the 1995 academic year, the Fort Vancouver High School Mock Trial Team exhibited superior talent and skill by earning the Washington State Mock Trial Championship concomitantly earning the special privilege and coveted responsibility of representing the great state of Washington at the 1995 National Mock Trial Championships; and

      WHEREAS, Such aforementioned accomplishments and success are built upon an admirable foundation of success wherein this marked the fourth time in four years that Fort Vancouver High School has reached the finals and the second time in three years that Fort Vancouver High School has won the Washington State Mock Trial Championship; and

      WHEREAS, This highly accomplished State Championship team consists of Ben Conner, Pat Connors, Nic Lauer, Jennifer McKibben, Chris Meunier, Alison Nicolay, Roger Shannon, Josh Oliva, Matt Thayer, Angie Peru, Allen Faulkner, Briteney Mercer, Michelle Mulkey, Joie Tymer and Sean Files; and

      WHEREAS, From this highly accomplished team emerges further distinction from team members Briteney Mercer and Michelle Mulkey who each earned special recognition as "outstanding attorney"; and  

      WHEREAS, All of the aforementioned accomplishments would not have been possible without the instruction, guidance, and leadership of Coach Chris Gourley, nor would these accomplishments have been possible without the unequivocal support and encouragement of the Fort Vancouver High School student body, faculty and staff, alumni and friends, community members, and foremost the families of each of the team members;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington honor the excellence in achievement and accomplishment demonstrated by the Championship Team indicated herewith and for the example of inspiration set for others; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to each member of the Championship Team indicated herewith as well as to Coach Chris Gourley and the principal of Fort Vancouver High School.

          I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

         Resolution 4655 adopted by the House of Representatives

                             Rules Committee

                              April 5, 1995.

                     ________________________________

                      Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk