WHEREAS, The State of Washington has long been recognized for its tremendous spirit of community, camaraderie, responsibility, and caring; and
     WHEREAS, Washingtonians come together in times of national and personal crisis to help each other through the burdens and challenges unforeseen by our neighbors; and
     WHEREAS, Recently, in Bellingham, the community lived up to this well-deserved reputation by coming to the aid of a fellow citizen who fell victim to a violent crime; and
     WHEREAS, On Sunday, January 25th, Bellingham resident Jong Min Park was shot during a robbery while tending his store, Giffords Market; and
     WHEREAS, Mr. Park, his wife Sung Mun, and 10-year old daughter Hye In and his family moved to Bellingham from Florida less than one year and three months ago; and
     WHEREAS, As a recent immigrant to Washington and the United States, Mr. Park was not aware of our state's spirit of camaraderie, responsibility, and caring; and
     WHEREAS, The community in Bellingham came together and rallied around Mr. Park and his family after this horrible event; and
     WHEREAS, Many area businesses donated supplies, food, replacement glass for a broken window, and even supplied staff to keep the store open when the Park family was tending to medical needs; and
     WHEREAS, Volunteers spent time making the counter more visible and working shifts in the absence of the owners, selling nearly $10,000 worth of groceries; and
     WHEREAS, Neighbors bought and installed a television and surveillance camera for the safety of the owners in the store; and
     WHEREAS, Upon finding out that the family didn't have medical insurance, volunteers raised over $10,000 in donations to cover the cost of his medical care; and
     WHEREAS, Neighbors volunteered their time running the cash register, stocking the shelves, donating money for medical expenses, giving flowers, and buying out the inventory in a show of support for the family; and
     WHEREAS, Mr. Park realizes how close he came to losing his life as a result of this horrible crime and the catastrophic result that would have had on his family and that he survived through a miracle and the work of his doctors; and
     WHEREAS, Mr. Park feels a tremendous debt to his community for their concern and compassion for the family despite their relative newness to Bellingham; and
     WHEREAS, It is occurrences like these that show the true mettle of Washingtonians and the strength of our community; and
     WHEREAS, Although tragic, this horrible event demonstrates the power of people who care for one another and their ability to bring people together; and
     WHEREAS, The city has shown what a true community is and demonstrated America can be a nation composed of compassionate, caring citizens;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington Senate salute the volunteers and businesses for their donations, gifts, and support shown for the victim of this horrendous crime; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the people of Bellingham have exemplified the true spirit of community, camaraderie, and caring inherent to Washington and their example should be followed throughout the state; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Bellingham.