HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2000-4800, by Representatives Talcott, Quall, Cairnes, Bush, Haigh, Schual‑Berke, Stensen, Anderson, Wensman, Wolfe, Keiser, Kenney, Linville, Eickmeyer, Dickerson, B. Chandler, Carlson, Carrell, Alexander, Rockefeller, Regala, Cox, Thomas, Schindler, Lambert, D. Schmidt, Sullivan, Romero, Fortunato, Mulliken, Schoesler, McIntire, Kagi, Cody, Ruderman, Gombosky, O'Brien, Edmonds, Conway, Miloscia, Tokuda, Murray, Morris, Kessler, Hatfield, Ogden, McMorris, McDonald and Barlean

WHEREAS, The paramount duty of the state of Washington is to provide an ample education to all the state's children; and

WHEREAS, Classified school employees provide services that are essential to the creation and maintenance of nurturing learning environments; and

WHEREAS, Classified employees are the bus drivers who are safely transporting in sometimes dangerous road conditions over 462,907 students each day in 8,610 busses over 465,119 miles; the food service employees feeding over 427,065 students nearly 528,891 meals per day; and the custodian and maintenance employees ensuring that the 2,071 school buildings where our children are receiving their education are functional, warm, clean, and safe; and

WHEREAS, Classified employees are the secretaries who make sure that all parents, staff, and, most important, all children receive the necessary support and services while at the same time providing love and attention to each student's special needs, even if all that's needed is a band-aid, a friendly ear, or a reminder; and

WHEREAS, Classified employees are the instructional assistants who are increasingly depended upon to provide individualized attention to students in the classroom to ensure they meet the higher academic standards as well as to provide such specialized services as nursing services and interpreting for deaf and disabled children and students who speak other languages; and

WHEREAS, Classified employees are often the first employees called upon when there is a threat to our children's safety and security; and

WHEREAS, Local school districts employ over 50,000 classified employees to provide these essential support services to the nearly one million students receiving public education; and

WHEREAS, Washington state students have had their education significantly enhanced by the services of classified school employees; and

WHEREAS, Classified School Employees Week offers Washington State citizens an opportunity to reflect on the critical role classified employees play in providing our children a quality education;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor classified school employees, recognize March 13 through 17, 2000, as Classified School Employees Week in the State of Washington, and urge all citizens, during Classified School Employees Week and every week of the year, to join in honoring and recognizing the dedication and hard work of all classified school employees.