WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State House of Representatives to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and

WHEREAS, Ricardo R. Garcia was born in San Diego, Texas, attended a bilingual elementary and high school where he learned to speak, read, and write fluently in Spanish and English, and graduated from high school in 1957; and

WHEREAS, Ricardo R. Garcia entered the United States Army, training in Fort Ord, California, serving in South Korea, and finally ending his service at Fort Lewis, Washington; and

WHEREAS, It was the United States Army that brought him to the Yakima Valley where he participated in Army maneuvers, became involved in the Valley with farm workers from Texas doing harvest work, and met his future wife, Monica; and

WHEREAS, Ricardo R. Garcia attended the local community college in 1966 and graduated from Central Washington University; and

WHEREAS, Ricardo R. Garcia became a strong advocate for farm workers and, as part of that advocacy, was one of four men who helped to create the nation's second noncommercial Spanish language radio station, KDNA, in Granger, Washington, in December 1979; and

WHEREAS, KDNA became known as Radio Cadena, "La Voz Del Campesino," — or, "The Voice of the Farm Worker," — because it educated farm workers, advocated farm worker's organizations, and provided Spanish language programs to non-English speaking families; and

WHEREAS, Ricardo R. Garcia served as station manager of KDNA for many years, but is now retired from the radio station; and

WHEREAS, KDNA 91.9 FM is the only public and educational radio station in Spanish that transmits twenty-four hours a day in Washington state and reaches listeners across southeast Washington and northern Oregon, and via the internet; and

WHEREAS, KDNA Radio Cadena recently celebrated its fortieth anniversary broadcasting on the air and reaching about 17,000 people while they work in the fields and drive home from packing warehouses; and

WHEREAS, Ricardo R. Garcia remains active on local boards and advisory groups to state agencies, a community foundation, and consults on health and education matters;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington recognize Ricardo R. Garcia and KDNA Radio Cadena 91.9 FM for outstanding achievements and contributions to the Latino farm worker community and Spanish-speaking people of Central Washington; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Ricardo R. Garcia and representatives of KDNA Radio Cadena 91.9 FM.