WHEREAS, More than eight thousand men and women of the Washington National Guard continue to serve the country as guardians of American interests at home and abroad; and

WHEREAS, These recognized leaders in state, regional, and national preparedness, who reside in nearly every legislative district throughout Washington, volunteer their time and put personal lives aside when the needs of the people of Washington state arise; and

WHEREAS, The Guard always answers the state's call in response to all emergency efforts such as natural disasters to protect lives, essential infrastructure, and property; and

WHEREAS, For more than 18 months one thousand two hundred service members from the Washington National Guard supported state agencies, local jurisdictions, tribes, and nonprofit organizations in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to save lives and relieve human suffering; and

WHEREAS, In 2022 the Guard deployed to Lewis County to provide support to the communities dealing with rising waters, and just a week later deployed to Leavenworth to assist digging out the small mountain community that was hit with record snow fall; and

WHEREAS, The Guard continues to train for adaptation, capability, and capacity to react to the rising challenges in a rapidly changing world that poses a threat to United States national security at home and abroad, including cyber threats; and

WHEREAS, Washington National Guard soldiers and airmen continue to provide critical support for federal missions with members deployed to Poland, Germany, the Kingdom of Thailand, and Malaysia; and

WHEREAS, The Guard continues to improve the lives of Washington's young adults, many on the brink of dropping out of school, through its Washington Youth Academy; and

WHEREAS, The Guard adds value to communities by opening its Readiness Centers for community and youth activities, and uses these facilities to enhance education, add to quality of life, and increase economic vitality;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington state Senate express its thanks and appreciation to the devoted families and dedicated employers of our Washington National Guard soldiers and airmen and airwomen for their support, without whom the Guard's missions could not be successful; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the value and dedication of a strong Washington National Guard to the viability, economy, safety, security, and well-being of this state, both through the outstanding performance of its state emergency and disaster relief mission, and through the continued benefit to local communities by the presence of productively employed, drug-free, well-equipped, and trained Guard units and the readiness centers and armories that house them; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard, the Governor of the state of Washington, the Secretaries of the United States Army and Air Force, and the President of the United States.