SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1999-8689

By Senators Snyder and Hargrove

     WHEREAS, The Aberdeen Elks Band #593 was formed in 1920, and has remained an active organization since that time; and

     WHEREAS, The all-volunteer B.P.O.E. organization was named AThe National Elks Band@ in 1973, at the Grand Lodge Convention in Chicago; and

     WHEREAS, The fifty five member Aberdeen Band has represented Aberdeen and the state of Washington at Grand Lodge Conventions in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Honolulu, Houston, St. Louis, Portland, and Seattle; and

     WHEREAS, The band was awarded the Elks Grand Lodge Award for its participation in fund raising concerts for the Statue of Liberty restoration; and

     WHEREAS, The band boasts membership from not only Grays Harbor residents, but also Raymond and Olympia, all commuting weekly to Aberdeen meetings; and

     WHEREAS, The age of its members ranges from twenty-four to eighty-eight years of age, with an average tenure of twenty-five years; and

     WHEREAS, The band has been under the accomplished direction of Craig Wellington, a forty year member of the band, since he assumed the baton in 1981, from Donald McCaw, who led the band for more than thirty years; and

     WHEREAS, The band is best known for its annual, standing-room-only Flag Day concerts at the historic Seventh Street Theatre in Hoquiam;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate proudly acknowledges the civic-minded dedication and musical accomplishments of the Aberdeen Elks Band and encourages everyone to attend and enjoy the band=s Flag Day concert this year at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 13.

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1999-8689,

adopted by the Senate May 18, 1999.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate