SENATE RESOLUTION

                             8697

By Senators Franklin, Hewitt, Honeyford, Hale, Spanel, Regala, Sheldon, B., Rasmussen, Eide, Snyder, Winsley, Fraser, Sheahan and Shin

     WHEREAS, Asian-Pacific Islanders have played a rich role in the history and cultural development of Washington for more than one-hundred and fifty years; and

     WHEREAS, about 416,000 of the residents of Washington B representing eleven Asian and seven Pacific Island nations B are of Asian-Pacific Islander descent; and 

     WHEREAS, Asian-Pacific Islanders have contributed significantly to the development of the arts, sciences, government, military, commerce and education of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, after passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, employers looked to Japan to fill the growing need for workers; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaiians were the first Asian-Pacific Islanders to work in the Northwest and were well known for their seamanship; and

     WHEREAS, Asian-Pacific Islanders have made personal sacrifices that have advanced the cause of civil rights and equal opportunity for all residents of Washington;  

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate ask all Washington residents to join us in observing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the residents of  Washington celebrate throughout the month of May the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to the history and culture of our state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted to the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8697,

adopted by the Senate May 17, 2001.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate