WHEREAS, The Student Conservation Association was founded in 1957 by Vassar College alumna Elizabeth (Cushman) Titus Putnam, with the assistance of Martha Hayne, to promote college student conservation efforts to benefit America's beautiful lands; and
     WHEREAS, In 1957, Washington state was fortunate to sponsor the Student Conservation Association's first conservation effort, in Port Angeles' Olympic National Park; and
     WHEREAS, The goal of the Student Conservation Association is for high school and college-age volunteers to unite through their commitment to preserve the nation's public lands, forests, parks, refuges, and rivers; and
     WHEREAS, The Student Conservation Association has created strong ties with governmental agencies, environmental groups, and conscientious corporations, such as the United States Park Service, United States Forest Service, United States Navy's Natural Resource Program, AmeriCorps, the Corporation for National Service, and the Ford Foundation; and
     WHEREAS, The Student Conservation Association operates in all 50 states and in three foreign countries; and
     WHEREAS, After flooding in Mount Rainier National Park in 2006, the Student Conservation Association is leading the volunteer flood recovery and land restoration efforts; and
     WHEREAS, There are more than 4,000 Student Conservation Association volunteers in Washington state who have contributed more than an estimated 1.5 million hours of service to help preserve our state's natural ecosystems, forests, and wildlife reserves; and
     WHEREAS, Nearly 60 percent of Student Conservation Association alumni go on to pursue careers in the conservation field to preserve America's breathtaking natural landscapes; and
     WHEREAS, This year marks the golden 50th anniversary of the founding of the Student Conservation Association;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate pay tribute and recognition to the Student Conservation Association for its contributions to Washington state and the United States to help restore and maintain America's natural beauty; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Washington State Senate and the Student Conservation Association.