SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1997-8659

By Senators Swanson, Prentice, Brown, Thibaudeau, Goings, Jacobsen, Wojahn, Loveland, Kohl, Fraser, McAuliffe, Snyder, Spanel, Benton, Winsley, Heavey, Sheldon, Long, Morton, Oke, Bauer, Patterson, Hargrove, Fairley, Swecker, Franklin, Schow, Rasmussen and Newhouse

     WHEREAS, The State of Washington now demands of all able-bodied welfare recipients that they seek work in order to obtain public assistance; and

     WHEREAS, More than 92,000 adults now rely on such assistance to care for their children; and

     WHEREAS, More than 346,000 people in Washington were without jobs and seeking employment during the past year; and

     WHEREAS, The state=s economy creates only about 50,000 jobs a year; and

     WHEREAS, Many thousands more adults now on welfare will soon be competing for the limited number of jobs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate challenges the 10 largest employers in the State of Washington to select 100 welfare recipients, test them, link them with a mentor for one year, teach them good work skills and habits, proper dress, help them build self esteem and self confidence, and, at the end one year, assist these trainees in finding suitable employment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we request these businesses report to the 1998 Senate on their success; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate do hereby immediately transmit copies of this resolution to each of the aforementioned organizations.