WHEREAS, The Burke Museum was founded in 1885 by the Young Naturalists' Society, a group of curious teenagers inspired by seeing Seattle transform before their eyes, and has built upon this legacy, collecting objects and artifacts that help us understand how the Northwest has grown and changed; and

WHEREAS, On March 6, 1899, the Washington State Legislature first designated the Burke Museum the State Museum of Washington as "a depository for the preservation and exhibition of documents and objects possessing an historical value, of materials illustrating the fauna, flora, anthropology, mineral wealth, and natural resources of the state, and for all documents and objects whose preservation will be of value to the student of history and the natural sciences"; and

WHEREAS, Since that time, the Burke Museum has had the great honor to share and care for more than 18 million fossils, cultural items, and specimens from the Pacific Northwest and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Burke Museum continues to serve Washington state by providing hands-on science and culture education, conducting original research and establishing baseline data, preserving our shared heritage, and providing tools for state and federal agencies; and

WHEREAS, The Burke Museum education programs use authentic materials and specimens to inspire learners of all ages to ask questions about the world around us, foster curiosity, and create wonder; and

WHEREAS, Students, researchers, artists, and community members draw on the collections to build knowledge of our world and address challenges facing communities in the Pacific Northwest and around the globe; and

WHEREAS, The Burke Museum's research and programs partner with institutions, communities, and people around the world to understand our past and create positive change in the future; and

WHEREAS, The Burke Museum maintains relationships with communities and tribes to preserve the ingenuity, creativity, science, and complex knowledge of natural and cultural resources, acknowledging they are the caretakers while tribes and community members are the experts; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of people have championed the work of the Burke Museum through the years, including visitors, tribal nations, and an inclusive group of researchers, enabling the museum to continue to share collections so all people can learn, be inspired, generate knowledge, feel joy, and heal;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the cultural and scientific contributions of the Burke Museum and celebrate its 125th Anniversary as the official State Museum of Washington.