WHEREAS, Citizens of character, intelligence, courage, initiative, and compassion have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the State of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Walt C. Crowley is representative of these qualities and contributions; and
     WHEREAS, Walt C. Crowley, of Seattle, is cofounder, President, and Executive Director of HistoryLink and HistoryLink.org, the free online encyclopedia of Washington state history and the nation's first encyclopedia of community history created expressly for the Internet; and
     WHEREAS, HistoryLink now serves more than two million annual visitors, one-third of whom are K-12 teachers and students, and has earned a National Certificate of Commendation from the American Association for State and Local History, the State Historic Preservation Officer's award, and numerous other national, regional, and local honors; and
     WHEREAS, Walt C. Crowley is the author of more than fifteen books on local and regional history and earned the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild 2007 Northwest History Award for HistoryLink and his personal scholarship; and
     WHEREAS, Walt C. Crowley was named "Citizen of the Year 2007" by the Municipal League of King County; and
     WHEREAS, Walt C. Crowley served the State of Washington in an exemplary manner as a major contributor to the community and the political life of the Northwest Region; and
     WHEREAS, Now is an appropriate time to recognize the contributions of Walt C. Crowley and the trustees and staff of HistoryLink in Washington State;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize and honor Walt C. Crowley's and HistoryLink's contributions to Washington State; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Walt C. Crowley and to HistoryLink.