HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4694, by Representatives Thai, Ramos, Slatter,
Bergquist, Ryu, Walen, Kloba, Santos, Gregerson, Paul, and Dent
1 WHEREAS, The United States census bureau estimates that 949,560
2 individuals of diverse Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander
3 ethnic identities reside in Washington, the fastest-growing
4 demographic population in the state, who among them speak more than
5 100 different languages and dialects; and
6 WHEREAS, The history of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific
7 Islanders is inextricably tied to the rich history of Washington
8 state, contributing since territorial times to the development of our
9 heritage industries including forestry, fishing, and farming as well
10 as to the leadership of our state in a variety of educational,
11 economic, political, and social endeavors; and
12 WHEREAS, In 1972, Governor Daniel J. Evans created a State Asian
13 American Advisory Council "to examine and define issues pertaining to
14 the rights and needs of Asian Americans in contemporary America, and
15 to make recommendations to the Governor and state agencies with
16 respect to desirable changes in program and law," ultimately leading
17 the 43rd Washington state legislature to establish the Commission on
18 Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) as a stand-alone cabinet-level
19 agency on February 26, 1974; and
20 WHEREAS, Pursuant to Chapter 43.117 RCW, CAPAA is charged with
21 improving the lives of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific
22 Islanders in Washington state by ensuring their access to full and
23 equal participation in the fields of government, business, education,
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 1 and other areas, working in partnership with communities and state
2 leaders to respond to and rectify institutional bias and
3 discrimination; and by ushering forward long-term solutions for
4 positive change; and
5 WHEREAS, With incidents of anti-Asian hate and xenophobia on the
6 rise, the work of CAPAA is more urgent and relevant than ever before
7 in protecting and preserving the rights of Asian, Native Hawaiian,
8 and Pacific Islander people to access resources and to enjoy
9 representation in Washington state government and society; and
10 WHEREAS, A testament to the dedication, resilience, and
11 accomplishments of the Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander
12 communities throughout Washington and to the many volunteer
13 commissioners and agency staff since its founding, CAPAA will
14 celebrate the 50th anniversary of its establishment in 2024 with a
15 golden gala;
16 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House
17 of Representatives encourage all Washington residents to recognize
18 and celebrate the pioneering contributions of the Washington state
19 Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs in elevating the
20 strength of our diversity by advancing policies of equity and
21 inclusion; and
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be
23 immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of
24 Representatives to the Washington state Commission on Asian Pacific
25 American Affairs.
26
27 I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of
28 Resolution 4694 adopted by the House of Representatives
29 February 26, 2024
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34 __________________________
35 Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk
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