WHEREAS, Washington agriculture generates $10.16 billion annually and is a cornerstone of the Washington state economy; and

WHEREAS, The Washington Future Farmers of America Association members' continuous efforts culminated in four chapters being named as national finalists in the National Chapter Awards Program, which recognizes the top ten chapters in the nation in four qualifying areas out of the eight thousand five hundred sixty-eight chapters nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Washington FFA members contribute to the nationally generated $4.4 billion through Supervised Agricultural Experience programs, which are an extension of classroom instruction; and

WHEREAS, National FFA Week is celebrated annually nationwide during the week of George Washington's birthday, in celebration of his legacy as an agriculturalist and to emphasize the importance of the foundation of agriculture to FFA members; and

WHEREAS, The FFA motto, "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve" gives direction and purpose to students who take an active role in succeeding in agricultural education; and

WHEREAS, FFA promotes citizenship, volunteerism, patriotism, and cooperation through approximately four hundred eighty-two thousand service hours that equates to an economic impact of over $10.9 million nationally; and

WHEREAS, Agricultural education and FFA ensure a steady supply of young professionals to meet the growing needs of science, business, and technology in the agricultural industry; and

WHEREAS, Agricultural education is the original science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, education model, and agricultural education is celebrating one hundred one years as a result of the Smith-Hughes Act influencing more than fifty thousand Washington students enrolled in agricultural education courses annually; and

WHEREAS, Washington FFA Week is recognized by approximately eleven thousand members statewide;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize Washington FFA members and their distinction in the agricultural field during the celebration of FFA Week, February 17th through 24th, 2018.

I, Brad Hendrickson, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8710,

adopted by the Senate

February 22, 2018

BRAD HENDRICKSON

Secretary of the Senate