Whereas, the Washington Senate believes the Zags are awesome

OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate went on record as being officially pro-Zags on Friday.

The Senate adopted a resolution sponsored by Sen. Mike Baumgartner, R-Spokane, saying it “fully supports the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their game on Saturday and will be cheering for a victory.”

The resolution notes that no Pacific Northwest team has gone to the Final Four since Seattle University in 1958. It recognizes a “winning culture” that started with former coach Dan Fitzgerald, continued with Dan Monson, and praises current head coach Mark Few for creating “a culture of ownership and responsibility built on a unique attention to player development and an attitude of loyalty and persistence.”

It notes the Bulldogs’ earlier victories in the tournament and talks a little smack with Saturday’s opponent.

“South Carolina should tremble at having to face the speed and endurance of the mighty Bulldogs this Saturday in the Final Four,” it says in one of the many paragraphs that start with the official “whereas” of a resolution.

The resolution passed on a unanimous voice vote at the end of the Senate’s morning session after a series of speeches boosting the team.

“We can have divisions on policy but sports bring us together,” Baumgartner said.

“They have really built an amazing program that does college athletics the right way,” said Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle. “There’s never any scandal associated with Gonzaga.”

“We hope for victory but even more important is to pay tribute to the culture of character,” said Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, who managed to slip Saturday’s 3:09 p.m. start time into his short speech twice.