SENATE RESOLUTION

                             2000-8759

By Senators McAuliffe, Kohl-Welles, Brown, Sheldon, B., Eide, Finkbeiner, Johnson, Long, McDonald, Snyder, Spanel, Goings, West, Loveland, Heavey, Fairley, Franklin, Deccio, Wojahn, Jacobsen, and Rasmussen

     WHEREAS, Generous acts of philanthropy that promote the general well-being of the citizens of the state of Washington should be recognized and commended; and

     WHEREAS, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a shining example of philanthropy and altruism toward children and educational institutions, both private and public; and

     WHEREAS, The Gates Foundation has contributed substantial amounts to such worthy educational and children's organizations as the Global Fund for Children's Vaccines, the United Negro College Fund, Achieve Incorporated, the Gates Millennium Scholarship Program, the Winston Churchill Foundation, the Alliance for Education, and Seattle Public Schools; and

     WHEREAS, The Gates Foundation has recently donated $350 million over three years to a national initiative aimed at "reinventing" schools across the nation, with $50 million specifically designated for grants to ten Washington School Districts; and

     WHEREAS, This generous act of philanthropy is furthered through four different grant programs which include grants for leadership development based on Washington State's successful Smart Tools Academy; and

     WHEREAS, Grants for teacher development will commit to training teachers in Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Grants for schools to provide technology-enriched learning models, and grants for school districts to strengthen learning communities across the state coincide with and support Washington State's educational goals; and

     WHEREAS, The Gates Foundation, in the programs and organizations it has supported, has shown leadership, foresight, innovation, and, above all, generosity; and

     WHEREAS, The Gates Foundation has acted and will continue to act as an inspiration to all who believe that the education of all children is one of the most fundamental duties of each citizen of the State of Washington;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate do hereby recognize and honor the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their magnanimous contributions which will undoubtedly help the young people of Washington prepare for their future; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 2000-8759,

adopted by the Senate March 6, 2000.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate