BySenators Pedersen, Takko, Mullet, Frockt, Hunt, Das, Keiser, Salomon, Stanford, Van De Wege, Cleveland, Hasegawa, Brown, Walsh, Schoesler, Liias, and Fortunato

WHEREAS, In January of 1919, the Republic of Poland and the United States established diplomatic relations with the hope of the betterment of political, economic, religious, and human rights for both countries; and

WHEREAS, The first Polish ambassador to the United States, Prince Kazimierz Lubomirski, presented his credentials to President Woodrow Wilson on May 15, 1920; and

WHEREAS, Over the decades, the strength of Polish-American relations varied, enduring the Cold War; and

WHEREAS, Upon the fall of communism, Poland regained full sovereignty and joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU); and

WHEREAS, Poland's decision to align itself with the western democracy further strengthened the Polish-American diplomatic relations, opening a new platform for economic and cultural growth; and

WHEREAS, As the tenth largest European economy, Poland is a sizeable and important commercial partner of the United States in Central Europe; and

WHEREAS, The Polish-American economic and cultural connection lies within strong student exchange programs and growing business and trade relations; and

WHEREAS, There are an estimated nine million Poles living in the United States, with Washington State having its own large Polish population of one hundred twenty-seven thousand; and

WHEREAS, Polish Home Association (Polish Cultural Center) in Seattle was established in 1918 to provide immigrants with programs and services to help Poles adapt to their new lives in America; and

WHEREAS, The Polish Cultural Center has focused on education, cultural, and economic support services for more than one hundred years, fostering a strong Polish-American community; and

WHEREAS, The Polish community in the year 2000 established the Seattle Polish Foundation, an organization devoted to fostering interest in Polish heritage and spreading awareness of the accomplishments of Polish-Americans; and

WHEREAS, In the State of Washington, in 2003, the University of Washington Polish Studies Endowment Committee was founded with the goal of cultivating, enhancing, and promoting the understanding of the Polish language, culture, and arts;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Washington commemorate one hundred years of diplomatic relations between Poland and the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the members of the strong Polish-American community in the State of Washington be recognized for the work they have done to preserve their culture and heritage and to contribute to the local society.