WHEREAS, Washington is the only state named for an American president, George Washington, the father of our country, and as such, we Washingtonians hold the presidency and presidents in especially high regard; and
     WHEREAS, For many years our state and nation have set aside the third Monday in February to celebrate Presidents' Day, which honors President George Washington, President Abraham Lincoln, and other former Presidents of the United States of America; and
     WHEREAS, George Washington, born February 22, 1732, led the Revolutionary Army with courage and fortitude and, then serving as the first President of the United States, defined the office and remained ever mindful of his actions and the ramifications carried by his deeds; and
     WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, born February 12, 1809, is remembered as the savior of the Union, fighting the Civil War, and, through the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery, and then turning at the Civil War's conclusion to rebuilding the Union and famously emphasizing "With malice toward none; with charity for all"; and
     WHEREAS, It was in 1968 when federal legislation, the "Monday Holidays Act," was passed to install the Presidents' Day celebration that we have come to know and respect; and
     WHEREAS, In 1985, the Washington State Legislature singled out the third Monday in February as a day for commemorating the births of Presidents Washington and Lincoln; and
     WHEREAS, It is recognized that this diverse, wonderful land of ours has been fashioned into a land of freedom and opportunity thanks to the tireless efforts of our forebearers, especially Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln; and
     WHEREAS, The first eight American presidents, comprising over a fifth of our forty-four presidents to date, did not begin their lives as Americans because there was no America when they were born, thus in a special way our reputation as a land of opportunity was established; and
     WHEREAS, A Presidents' Day celebration would not be complete without recognizing the invaluable service of the first ladies in our American presidential history; and
     WHEREAS, The first ladies of our nation have not only provided citizens with role models who exemplify what it means to be an American, but first ladies such as Abigail Adams, Dolly Madison, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Nancy Reagan have served as symbols of strength in times of adversity throughout our history;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That on this twenty-first day of February 2011, the House of Representatives honor the first and sixteenth Presidents of the United States for their immeasurable contributions to, and noble sacrifices for, the cause of liberty, equality, and justice.