SENATE RESOLUTION

                                 2000-8746

By Senator Benton, Morton, Rossi, Oke, Eide, Deccio, Johnson and McAuliffe

       WHEREAS, The 2000 Prudential Spirit of Community Award, presented by The Prudential Insurance Company of America in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, honors young volunteers across America who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving their communities; and

       WHEREAS, Paul Gordon, 18, of Redmond and Brett Byrd, 13, of Camas were named Washington's top two youth volunteers for the Year 2000 in The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards; and

       WHEREAS, Paul Gordon, a senior at Mount Si High School raised $24,000 individually, for a total of $90,000, to help pay for a young boy's liver transplant and has created the Paul Gordon Children's Fund to assist underprivileged children with medical costs, and has become a national spokesperson for the National Transplant Assistance Fund, for which he speaks to others about the importance of organ donation; and

       WHEREAS, Brett Byrd, a seventh-grader at Skyridge Middle School, produced concerts featuring his rock and roll band, along with his brother Cameron, to honor his mother's memory, and raised nearly $70,000 to provide mammograms for women who cannot afford them, and hopes to eventually raise one million dollars to help in the fight against breast cancer; and

       WHEREAS, Cameron Byrd, Lindsay O'Neal, Timothy Pilgrim, Jesse Rowe, Wynne Scherf, and Amanda Solano were recognized as Distinguished Finalists for their impressive community service activities; and

       WHEREAS, Cameron Byrd, 15, of Camas, a ninth-grader at Skyridge Middle School, raised nearly $70,000 for breast cancer screenings by performing in a rock and roll band with his brother, Brett; and

       WHEREAS, Lindsay O'Neal, 17, of Federal Way, a senior at Federal Way High School, helps organize a weekly breakfast at her church, with funds going to support various church and community programs; and

       WHEREAS, Timothy Pilgrim, 17, of Kent, a senior at Kentwood High School, developed and directs a math tutoring program at his school that has assisted 50 students with their studies; and

       WHEREAS, Jesse Rowe, 16, of Port Orchard, a sophomore at Explorer Academy, helped create an educational brochure about date violence for the Planned Parenthood Dating Violence Workforce; and

       WHEREAS, Wynne Scherf, 18, of Metaline Falls, a member of the WSU/Pend Oreille County 4-H, a senior at Selkirk High School, coordinated a blood, food, and clothing drive to benefit the needy in her community; and

       WHEREAS, Amanda Solano, 17, of Selah, a senior at Selah High School, planned and implemented a drug and alcohol awareness presentation that included a mock car crash witnessed by the entire student body; and

       WHEREAS, The success of the state of Washington, the strength of our communities, and the overall vitality of American society depend in great measure, upon the dedication of young people like Paul Gordon, Brett Byrd, Cameron Byrd, Lindsay O'Neal, Timothy Pilgrim, Jesse Rowe, Wynne Scherf, and Amanda Solano, who use their considerable talents and resources to serve others;

       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate congratulate and honor Paul Gordon, Brett Byrd, Cameron Byrd, Lindsay O'Neal, Timothy Pilgrim, Jesse Rowe, Wynne Scherf, and Amanda Solano as recipients of Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, recognize their outstanding records of volunteer service, peer leadership, and community spirit, and extend best wishes for their continued success and happiness; and

       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate immediately transmit copies of this resolution to Paul Gordon, Brett Byrd, Cameron Byrd, Lindsay O'Neal, Timothy Pilgrim, Jesse Rowe, Wynne Scherf, and Amanda Solano.

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 2000-8746,

adopted by the Senate March 2, 2000.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate