WHEREAS, The Red Hat Society was founded in 1998 by Sue Ellen Cooper of Fullerton, California, as a social organization for women over 50 years old; and
     WHEREAS, The Red Hat Society was inspired by Warning, a poem by Jenny Joseph, that starts, "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple/With a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me"; and
     WHEREAS, The 50 and over women of The Red Hat Society wear elaborately decorated red hats with purple dresses and clothing, while the junior postulants wear pink hats and lavender clothing until 50, when a "Reduation" takes place, where the pink hat is discarded and a red hat bestowed; and
     WHEREAS, There are about 1 million registered members of The Red Hat Society, in 40,000 chapters in the United States and 25 countries; and
     WHEREAS, The Red Hat Society, whose motto is "Red Hatters Matter," calls itself a "disorganization" and is proud of its lack of rules and bylaws, but takes seriously its responsibility to have fun; and
     WHEREAS, Women of The Red Hat Society come from all walks of life, including working women, grandmothers, retirees, golfers, senators, and teachers, as well as women who are widowed, married, and single; and
     WHEREAS, The mission of The Red Hat Society is to gain higher visibility for aging women and to reshape the way they are viewed by today's culture, while "uniting under the umbrella of a red hat to have fun and bond in sisterhood"; and
     WHEREAS, Red Hat Society chapters, which include leaders known as "Queen Mum" and members called "Red Hatters," hold social events, tea parties being the most popular pastime;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate enjoy March 1, 2006, Red Hat Day, and that all its members celebrate this day by saying goodbye to burdensome responsibilities, at least for a while, and have fun!; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to members of The Red Hat Society; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Red Hatters of the Washington State Legislature recognize March 1, 2006, as one of paying tribute to Red Hatters everywhere.