SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1999-8618

By Senators Rasmussen, Morton, Fraser, Long, Jacobsen and Eide

     WHEREAS, Twenty percent of the nations potatoes are produced in the state of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Washington ranks second in the nation in the total production of potatoes and first in per-acre yield of potatoes; and

     WHEREAS, Potatoes contribute to our trade balance and the overall health of the state's economy with over $300 million dollars of potatoes being exported annually through the ports in Tacoma and Seattle alone; and

     WHEREAS, Potatoes represent the state's third largest agricultural commodity with a farm gate value of over $500 million, and total value of processed potato products of $2.5 billion; and

     WHEREAS, Washington potato growers have won national awards three years in a row for environmentally friendly and efficient use of water and fertilizers;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognizes the men and women in the state of Washington who work to make the Washington potato industry successful; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the contribution that this valuable industry makes to the strength and vitality of the state's economy and wishes to thank the Washington Potato Commission for the opportunity to sample the great WATATO (Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that=s right WATATO) today in the Capitol Rotunda.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1999-8618,

adopted by the Senate February 10, 1999.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate