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Welcome to Skagit County

April 9th, 2008

Commissioners Sign Four Proclamations

National Day of Prayer
National County Government Week in Skagit County
ARBOR DAY
IN HONOR OF SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Commissioners proclaim May 1 National Day of Prayer

SKAGIT COUNTY – The Skagit County Board of Commissioners signed a proclamation today proclaiming Thursday, May 1, 2008 as a Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America when the Continental Congress issued a proclamation setting aside a day of prayer in 1775.

IN 1952, a joint resolution of the United States Congress was signed into law by President Harry S Truman declaring an annual National Day of Prayer. President Ronald Reagan amended the law in 1988 to permanently recognize the first Thursday of every month as the National Day of Prayer.

For further information, contact: Dan Berentson

360-419-3461

PROCLAMATION

National County Government Week in Skagit County

April 6–12, 2008

Protecting Our Children

WHEREAS, the nation’s 3,066 counties provide a variety of essential public services to communities serving 300 million Americans; and

WHEREAS, counties take seriously their responsibility to protect and enhance the health, welfare and safety of its residents in sensible and cost-effective ways; and

WHEREAS, our government services directly touch the lives of children and families; and

WHEREAS, in 13 states, all or some of the counties are responsible for child welfare and foster care systems; and

WHEREAS, more than 500,000 children are in foster care, removed from their families, as a result of suspected abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS, one in five girls and one in 10 boys will be sexually victimized before adulthood; and

WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties first celebrated National County Government Week in 1991 to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation’s counties to meet the needs of the community; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the leadership, innovation and valuable service provided by the nation’s counties, especially in the protection and welfare of children,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Skagit County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim April 6-12, 2008 as National County Government Week in Skagit County.

Passed this ____7th___ day of ___April, 2008___

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

SKAGIT COUNTY, WASHINGTON

PROCLAMATION

ARBOR DAY, April 8, 2008

Whereas in 1872, Julius Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees; and

Whereas the holiday of Arbor Day was first observed on April 10, 1872, and celebrated with the estimated planting of over a million trees in Nebraska; and

Whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout our nation and in many countries around the world; and

Whereas trees benefit us by moderating the climate, reducing erosion of precious topsoil by wind and water, cleaning the air, producing life-giving oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife; and

Whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us fuel for heating, the fruits of agriculture, and a multiplicity of wood and paper products; and

Whereas trees in our cities beautify our communities, increase property values, cut heating and cooling costs, and enhance the economic vitality of business areas; and

Whereas trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal;

Now, therefore the Skagit County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 as Washington State Arbor Day. We urge all Skagit County citizens to celebrate and support efforts to protect our woodlands, plant new trees, and by doing this, promote the well being of current and future generations.

Passed this _ 8th____ day of _April, 2008__

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

SKAGIT COUNTY, WASHINGTON

PROCLAMATION

IN HONOR OF SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

WHEREAS, the people of Skagit County had the foresight dating back to 1947, and commitment to support construction of a modern, new hospital to meet the healthcare needs of the region; and

WHEREAS, by 1954 the Women’s Guild of Skagit General Hospital raised more than $10,000 to purchase land for a new hospital; and

WHEREAS, the voters approved formation of Public Hospital District No. 1 in 1954 and in 1955 passed a $550,000 bond issue to build a new hospital and voted “yes” again in 1956 to a $120,000 measure to boost the size of the new facility to 78 beds; and

WHEREAS, groundbreaking ceremonies were held in January 1957 and more than 5,000 residents toured the completed hospital on March 30, 1958; and

WHEREAS, the state-of-the-art Skagit Valley Hospital opened its doors on April 9, 1958 and has served the needs of the community for five decades; and

WHEREAS, the hospital has grown and expanded over the years adding a third floor in 1964; a new wing in 1972 and a second floor in 1974; a high-tech diagnostic imaging center in 1987; the Skagit Valley Kidney Center in 1998 and the comprehensive Skagit Valley Regional Cancer Care Center in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Skagit Valley Hospital is a full service, 137-bed acute care hospital providing services ranging from Level III trauma care and a wide variety of surgical procedures to the modern Family Birth Center and family practice clinic at the Camano Community Health Clinic; and

WHEREAS, the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation has served as an important partner in healthcare with the hospital for the past 20 years, raising nearly $9 million through the generosity of our community; and

WHEREAS, the Skagit Hospice Foundation raises funds to benefit the patients and staff of Skagit Hospice; and

WHEREAS, the residents of Public Hospital District No. 1 overwhelmingly supported Skagit County’s largest bond issue in history at $62.1 million in 2004, to more than double the size of Skagit Valley Hospital; and

WHEREAS, more than 3,500 people attended the hospital expansion open house on June 16, 2007 and the new facilities opened to patients on June 30, 2007; and

WHEREAS, the expanded hospital’s healing environment, tradition of quality, compassionate care, and more than 1,200 employees, 250 physicians, 450 volunteers and supportive guilds and auxiliary are a true asset; and

WHEREAS, the hospital is Skagit County’s largest employer and the fourth largest public district hospital in the state of Washington, providing an economic benefit to the region; and

WHEREAS, Skagit Valley Hospital remains true to its mission and vision to be “the best regional, community hospital in the Northwest, dedicated to understanding and exceeding our patients’ expectations,”

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Skagit County Board of Commissioners voices sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the community for five decades of support and pride in Skagit Valley Hospital on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.