WHEREAS, Washington is home to 241,000 dairy cows; and
     WHEREAS, Washington's dairy cows are the most productive in America, averaging more than 300 gallons above the national average; and
     WHEREAS, Washington's dairy farms have a three and a half billion dollar economic impact each year; and
     WHEREAS, Over eighty percent of Washington's dairy farms have less than 500 cows; and
     WHEREAS, Washington's dairy industry is actually older than the state itself; and
     WHEREAS, The first creamery in Washington was started in Cheney in 1880, at a time when cattle outnumbered territorial residents by more than two-to-one; and
     WHEREAS, January 31, 2007, marks the observance of Legislative Dairy Day, an annual event celebrated at the state capitol of the great state of Washington for well over thirty years; and
     WHEREAS, Legislative Dairy Day honors the dairy industry, which is the second largest agricultural industry in this state, for the extensive contributions it makes to the economic well-being of our state as well as its invaluable contribution in providing an indispensable part of a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet, with such irreplaceable products as milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and many other dairy products; and
     WHEREAS, Legislative Dairy Day also honors the Washington State Dairy Federation which, as a professional organization of dairy farmers, provides an exceptional voice for the contribution and special concerns of the dairy farmers; and
     WHEREAS, The Washington State Dairy Federation is the proud sponsor of this observance; and
     WHEREAS, Trista Van Berkum of Mount Vernon is a 2006 graduate of Mount Vernon Christian, where she lettered twice and was a Student Council member; and
     WHEREAS, Ms. Van Berkum is serving a nine-month internship with the Washington Dairy Products Commission; and
     WHEREAS, Ms. Van Berkum's coalternates are Melisa Lancaster of Lynden who represents the Whatcom County dairy farmers; and Debbie Branch of Onalaska who represents the Lewis County dairy farmers;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State House of Representatives acknowledge and honor the women and men whose work on dairy farms throughout Washington has contributed so much to the strength and vitality of our state and its economy, the character of our communities, and the general well-being of our citizens; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Washington State Dairy Federation, to Washington State Dairy Ambassador Trista Van Berkum, and to coalternates Melisa Lancaster and Debbie Branch.