SENATE RESOLUTION
8641
By Senators Shewmake, Short, Slatter, Wagoner, Chapman, Boehnke, Cortes, Goehner, Lovelett, Lovick, MacEwen, Orwall, Salomon, Stanford, Trudeau, Valdez, Warnick, C. Wilson, Fortunato, and Kauffman
WHEREAS, Since the foundation of our state, we have shared strong economic, political, and cultural ties to our Canadian neighbors in British Columbia; and
WHEREAS, Throughout our history, we've traveled to visit our family members, friends, and colleagues living across our northern border, while they have visited us in return; and
WHEREAS, The United States and Canada share the longest peaceful border in history with 166 years of peace along 5,525 miles of border; and
WHEREAS, With honor, respect, and acknowledgment, Canada and the United States share a deep and enduring connection with the First Nations and Tribes—the first peoples of both nations—who have upheld agreements with federal governments in recognition of their sovereignty and inherent rights; whose bloodlines, culture, and traditional laws have sustained these lands since time immemorial; and who continue to be essential partners and leaders in economic sustainability within their respective countries and across borders; and
WHEREAS, Residents of Point Roberts, Washington, a pene-exclave community, must cross the United States-Canadian border twice to get to school, the doctor's office, and other services, relying heavily on smooth border operations; and
WHEREAS, British Columbians and Washingtonians have served their countries valiantly together in two world wars and many other conflicts; and
WHEREAS, The abundant natural resources and uniquely beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest are core to the identities of those living in this region, regardless of national origin; and
WHEREAS, We enjoy the shared economic prosperity from integrated supply chains and thriving maritime, tech, manufacturing, farming, and forestry industries that span across political borders; and
WHEREAS, Washington and British Columbia are permanently linked by the Salish Sea, whose waters are unconstrained by national borders; and