WHEREAS, Seattle resident Kevin Li has devoted countless hours to the improvement of Washington's wildlife, including aiding the recovery of local populations of Purple Martin Swallows; and
     WHEREAS, The bird species, Progne subis arboricola, commonly known as the Western Purple Martin, is an important example of the avian wildlife native to Washington State; and
     WHEREAS, The Purple Martin is the largest of the eight North American species of the Swallow family characterized by its gurgling song and males having dark purple feathers; and
     WHEREAS, The Purple Martin in Washington usually lives near water and naturally nests in tree cavities made by primary excavators, including woodpeckers, during the summer before migrating to South America for the winter; and
     WHEREAS, As few as five Purple Martins are known to have nested in natural cavities in Washington in the most recent summer season, most of them in the area near Fort Lewis; and
     WHEREAS, The vast majority of Purple Martins live in artificial nest boxes provided by dedicated area residents who commit their time and energy to nurturing these beautiful birds; and
     WHEREAS, Kevin Li took responsibility for building dozens of habitats for Purple Martins in the Seattle Area and monitoring the birds' activities and behavior, making a remarkable impact on the shorelines and beaches of Puget Sound; and
     WHEREAS, Populations of Purple Martins in this state continue to recover since all but disappearing from the region beginning approximately in 1940; and
     WHEREAS, The current statewide estimate of Purple Martins is 700 nesting pairs, 500 residing in the Puget Trough and 200 residing along the lower Columbia River, a remarkable beginning to the recovery of a species whose Washington population once numbered in the thousands; and
     WHEREAS, Tragically on January 28, 2006, Kevin Li lost his life while scuba diving at the Keystone ferry landing, despite the courageous rescue effort made by the captain and crew of the Klickitat Ferry; and
     WHEREAS, The impact of Kevin Li's work with Purple Martins will be appreciated for generations to come by anyone who notices the hundreds of Martins that will continue to flock to Washington as long as there are dedicated individuals continuing with this important work; and
     WHEREAS, A comprehensive survey of Purple Martins in Washington State has never been conducted, though supporters of these birds have persistently requested that such a survey be done;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the Western Purple Martin, the vital work of Kevin Li, and the continued efforts of committed citizens to restore these birds to their former prominence in the ecosystem of Washington State; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the family of Kevin Li and to Stan Kostka of the Western Purple Martin Working Group.