HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4660, by Representatives Quall, Morris, Anderson and Barlean

      WHEREAS, The beautiful Skagit Valley is the tulip capital of the Northwest; and

      WHEREAS, Every April the tulips are in bloom, celebrating the beginning of spring; and

      WHEREAS, The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival begins the festival season in Washington State; and

      WHEREAS, This year's 16th annual event will run from April 2nd through April 18th, focusing on the communities of Sedro Woolley, Burlington, Anacortes, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Concrete; and

      WHEREAS, Jeremy Timmer and Katie Rindal were chosen as this year's Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Ambassadors; and

      WHEREAS, Nearly half a million people visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival last year, participating in the joy and excitement of this annual event, and contributing to the economy of the Skagit Valley; and

      WHEREAS, This year's visitors will be greeted by more than one thousand five hundred acres of tulips reflecting all the colors of the rainbow, by the fullness of life in the valley, and its wonderful people; and

      WHEREAS, This year's "Skagit Valley Tulip Festival" will be featured at the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, Ontario; and

      WHEREAS, Highlights of the event include the Kiwanis Annual Salmon Barbeque, the Tulip Pedal Bike Ride, the Tulip 10k Slug Run/Walk, the Downtown Mount Vernon Street Fair, and much more;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives salute the six communities of the Skagit Valley, their chambers of commerce, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Ambassadors, and the Tulip Festival Committee for their Skagit Valley Tulip Festival; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the community leaders and corporate sponsors for the success of this important event and encourage citizens from across Washington State to take the time to enjoy this spectacular display; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to Audrey Smith, Tulip Festival Executive Director, and Jeremy Timmer and Katie Rindal, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Ambassadors.

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

      Resolution 4660 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          April 9, 1999.

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