SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1999-8661

By Senators Spanel, Haugen and Fraser

     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 sixteenth 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 Senate 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 Senate 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 Secretary of the Senate to Audrey Smith, Tulip Festival Executive Director, and Jeremy Timmer and Katie Rindal, Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Ambassadors.

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1999-April 9, 1999,

adopted by the Senate 8661.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate