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API community visits capitol, raises awareness with
lawmakers
February 9, 2006
OLYMPIA –Asian Pacific Islanders (API) from across Washington took part in their
lobby day Thursday of last week, meeting with and voicing their concerns to
their lawmakers.
State Representative Zack Hudgins (D-Tukwila) joined the noontime rally,
welcoming the group to the capitol and encouraging them to take a direct role in
their government. “I’m always glad to see so many neighbors and concerned
citizens from our community come to the capitol and raise awareness of the
issues that affect their lives,” said Hudgins. “API communities face unique
challenges in our state, but by coming down here and working together with
legislators, we have, and will continue to make progress.”
Following the rally, Hudgins met with API constituents from the 11th Legislative
District to discuss specific issues important to their community. Among the top
concerns raised were mental health funding; health care funding for immigrant
children; funding for Limited English Proficient Pathways. Hudgins agreed that
each of these issues should be a high priority and vowed to keep working on
them.
Hudgins prime-sponsored one of the API community’s top priorities last year, HB
1090, a bill that expanded the use of pictograms for travelers and non-English
speakers across the state. Pictograms are often universal symbols to help guide
or direct English and non-English speakers, especially for transportation
purposes. That bill became law with a unanimous vote in the Legislature.
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Staff Contact: James Paribello (360) 786-7843
Radio and TV News Directors: To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or
to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact Caucus Broadcast
Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell_da@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208
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