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The State of Washington

Proclamation

 WHEREAS, these are difficult and troubling times for many in our communities, our state, our nation and the world; and

 WHEREAS, families are dislocated by adverse economic conditions, separated by the duty of serving our country in military and diplomatic assignments, and concerned about the future in many ways; and

 WHEREAS, in times like these, Americans re-discover the importance of the work done by the thousands of nonprofit organizations of every size and description that provide countless needed services and acts of kindness in every community; and

 WHEREAS, in times like these, Americans also re-discover the deep satisfaction that is found in working with and through nonprofit organizations to meet the needs of their neighbors, address the challenges facing our communities and brighten the days of strangers in every part of the world; and

 WHEREAS, in Washington State, over 200,000 people work for more than 30,000 nonprofit organizations and many thousands more contribute as volunteers;.

 NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gary Locke, Governor of the State of Washington, do hereby declare the month of April 2003 as

 Nonprofit Service Month

 in Washington state, and I urge all citizens to join me in this special observance.

 Signed this 10th day of March, 2003

 Governor Gary Locke

 BY THE GOVERNOR

 Sam Reed, Secretary of State