HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4656, by Representatives Ogden, Carlson, Dunn and Skinner

      WHEREAS, Education in the arts is a federally recognized priority in public education as evidenced by the Gaining the Arts Advantage program; and

      WHEREAS, Application for, selection as, and participation in the program requires a sustained commitment to arts education in all schools, a record of student achievement in the arts, evidence of advanced programs, and funding for teachers, materials, and facilities; and

      WHEREAS, The Vancouver, Washington School District has actively participated as a case-study school district in a study performed for the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities and the Arts Education Partnership; and

      WHEREAS, The interrelating factors that contribute to strong, district-wide arts education include:  A community consensus that enables a school board and administration to fund arts education; central office leadership and a cadre of building principals who support the arts; strong arts teachers who practice their art inside and outside the school; and an active presence of community arts and cultural organizations in the district's schools, including utilization of school performing arts venues; and

      WHEREAS, Dr. James Parsley, superintendent of the Vancouver School District, the school board and administration, the teachers, the parents, the students, and the Vancouver community and arts community conceived and implemented a plan for establishing arts education in all schools and involving the community in that enterprise;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor the Vancouver School District and community for exemplary participation in establishing the arts as an integral part of education and community in Vancouver; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Vancouver School District.

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

      Resolution 4656 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          April 14, 1999.

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Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk    Dean R. Foster Co-Chief Clerk