HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2002-4682, by Representatives Skinner, Clements, Holmquist, Lisk, Kenney, Ballasiotes, Hankins, Delvin, Ahern, Lantz, Lovick, Mulliken, Chandler, Campbell, Sehlin, Alexander, Veloria, Fromhold, Murray, Barlean, Cox, Hunt, Reardon, Sommers, Conway and Schmidt

      WHEREAS, The Yakima Valley recognizes it has an economy in transition and significant change needs to occur; and

      WHEREAS, The citizens of the Yakima Valley have a proud tradition of self-help and grassroots community action to meet challenges and create opportunities; and

      WHEREAS, The Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce's education program has been recognized by both the National School to Work Office and the United States Chamber of Commerce as a Best Practice in the United States; and

      WHEREAS, The Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce has established task forces working to identify and implement strategies for the emerging, current, and transitional workers in the Yakima Valley; and

      WHEREAS, The Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce and government, education, community, and business interests have come together to form a partnership known as the Business Education Partnership Initiative; and

      WHEREAS, The Business Education Partnership Initiative has taken a leading role in preparing and maintaining a qualified work force to meet Yakima Valley employer requirements now and in the future; and

       WHEREAS, The Business Education Partnership Initiative allows even greater networking among government, education, community, and business interests by increasing access to the talents and knowledge of all members and the various programs and organizations involved in the workforce development process;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce and all the government, education, community, and business interests involved for their outstanding efforts in forming the Business Education Partnership Initiative to create a working partnership model for grassroots involvement leading to community solutions; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      4682 Resolution adopted by the House of Representatives

                         January 30, 2002.

                   _____________________________

                   Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk