HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4762, by Representatives G. Chandler, Linville, Thomas, D. Schmidt, Dunn and Wensman

       WHEREAS, Washington state produces more potatoes per acre than anywhere else in the world; and

       WHEREAS, For the first time ever, Washington state potatoes or "Watatos" surpassed wheat to become the second largest agricultural crop in Washington; and

       WHEREAS, The Washington Watato industry contributes approximately 2 billion dollars to our state's economy; and

       WHEREAS, People all over the world know that Watatos are delicious and nutritious; and

       WHEREAS, There are over 300 proud Watato growers in the state of Washington, harvesting nearly 152,000 acres of Watatos each year; and

       WHEREAS, Eighty-seven percent of Watatos are sold to processors who carefully and lovingly transform them into golden fries, crunchy chips, and whipped and creamy mashed watatos; and

       WHEREAS, Due to the long, warm days and cool nights in the mineral-rich volcanic soil of the Columbia Basin, Watatos grow up to be the light, fluffy, high-solids Watatos known worldwide; and

       WHEREAS, Nearly nine out of every ten Watatos are marketed out of Washington state, with a significant portion of these going to overseas markets; and

       WHEREAS, Japan purchases approximately 70 percent of the french fries made from Watatos that are exported each year; and

       WHEREAS, In Pacific Rim countries where local government trade regulations permit fresh potato imports, Watatos command a 95 percent share of United States potato exports;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State House of Representatives acknowledge and honor the women and men who plant, grow, harvest, and process Watatos in Washington state that have contributed so much to the strength and vitality of our state and its economy, the character of our communities, and the general well-being of our citizens; 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 Washington State Potato Commission and to Watato lovers everywhere.

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

       Resolution 4762 adopted by the House of Representatives

                         February 21, 2000.

________________________________       _____________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk    Cynthia Zehnder, Co-Chief Clerk