SENATE RESOLUTION

8763

By Senators Regala, Oke, Stevens, Spanel, McDonald, Keiser, Morton, Fraser, Hale, Honeyford, Eide, Jacobsen, Parlette, Swecker, Haugen, Poulsen, Fairley, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles, and Roach

     WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature has designated that the second Wednesday in April each year is celebrated as Arbor Day; and

     WHEREAS, The year 2002 Arbor Day theme of AConnecting Communities@ inspires public tree plantings to restore trees lost to urban sprawl, rural land conversion, disease and pests, the lack of proper care, and even old age; and 

     WHEREAS, Arbor Day is a day to recognize our state tree, the Western Hemlock and state flower, the Rhododendron; and

     WHEREAS, Arbor Day is a traditional day for the planting of trees and shrubs by citizens in the state of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Nurseries, orchards, tree farms, public and private forests, and street and parks trees add to the beauty and vigor of our state; and

     WHEREAS, Arbor Day focuses community attention on planting trees while educating school children and community groups about the value of trees; and

     WHEREAS, Arbor Day is a symbolic day to recognize the importance of trees and shrubs to the environment, in neighborhoods and communities, in the state=s agricultural and timber-based economy, and the importance of continued regeneration of our renewable resources; and

     WHEREAS, The state of Washington is appropriately called the Evergreen State due to the existence and special significance that trees and plants contribute to our jobs, natural beauty, environment, and quality of life to our citizens; and

     WHEREAS, By observing Arbor Day every year, the citizens of the state can show their appreciation for the state=s natural resources, the full range of benefits that are provided from trees and shrubs in the state, and the importance of planting trees and shrubs throughout the year;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate hereby proclaims April 10, 2002, as Arbor Day and encourages residents to plant a tree or shrub and celebrate this day and also proclaims the month of October as Urban and Community Forestry month and urges residents to celebrate by planting and caring for trees, and by identifying significant and historic trees in their community.

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

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution-8763,

adopted by the Senate March 5, 2002.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate