SENATE RESOLUTION

8682

BySenators Ericksen, Wagoner, Muzzall, Wilson, L., Holy, Brown, Warnick, Schoesler, Zeiger, Becker, King, Short, Rivers, Carlyle, O'Ban, Walsh, Padden, Honeyford, Sheldon, Randall, Wilson, C., Van De Wege, Saldaña, Salomon, Das, Hobbs, and Lovelett

WHEREAS, The Washington State commercial fishing fleet will set off for the waters of the Pacific on May 3, 2020; and

WHEREAS, The Blessing of the Fleet is a longstanding tradition and will be observed at Blaine Harbor to honor and remember our heroes on the first Sunday in May; and

WHEREAS, The commercial and tribal fishing industries have been the fundamental bedrock of the state for centuries and are a job security to many Washington families; and

WHEREAS, The fishing industry is one of the largest creators of jobs and the Washington state economy relies heavily on its bountiful harvest; and

WHEREAS, The courageous fishers, who tirelessly risk their lives to provide us these necessities, deserve our utmost honor and respect; and

WHEREAS, The dangers of the turbulent and unpredictable seas all too often rob the lives of the brave men and women who voluntarily jeopardize themselves all for our benefit; and

WHEREAS, The grief of losing our beloved friends and neighbors on the high seas impact not only the families of those we lose, but also our entire state;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate extend its deepest condolences to the families and friends of all our fishers who have lost their lives at sea, wish the entire commercial fishing fleet a safe and prosperous season, and convey its hope that all of our fishers will return home safely to their families, friends, and communities.

I, Brad Hendrickson, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8682,

adopted by the Senate

February 20, 2020

BRAD HENDRICKSON

Secretary of the Senate