Gov. Chris Gregoire made commitments to support significant investments in the API community when she entered office. We believe she has honored those commitments by providing community health services, support for API small business, naturalization services, employment training, and other programs for refugees and immigrants.
Letter: Rossi for governor: It’s time for change
Dino Rossi is running for governor because he wants to change the way state government deals with important issues facing Washington. Christine Gregoire has worked in government for 38 years and, unfortunately, has too often become part of the problem instead of the solution.
“Minority” no longer
“We have often been overlooked,” Elaine Akagi, educator and past president of JACL, said. “Due to the small number of API voters, so it is important that all eligible API voters are registered and vote.”
Nobel prize goes to 3 Japanese and 3 Americans
Two Japanese scientists and a Japanese American won the 2008 Nobel Prize in physics on Oct. 7 for theoretical advances that help explain the behavior of the smallest particles of matter.
Peter Bacho Pioneer in Publishing
Novelist and teacher Peter Bacho believes everybody has a story to tell. The Filipino American recalls his own humble beginnings, growing up poor in Seattle’s Central District in the 1950s. A juris doctorate, masters degree and two award-winning novels later, Bacho is now being honored as a pioneer who paved the way for Asian Americans in literature.
The University of Washington Press Pioneer in Publishing
According to former editor Naomi Pascal, she was associated with the Press “almost from the beginning, with the development of the Press’ pioneering program of publishing books by and about Asian Americans.” In 1973, the Press had issued or reissued “a long list of books on subjects of special interest to Asian Americans,” she said.
A grand opening
The newly remodeled Garfield High School’s grand opening was on the weekend of Sept. 26. Close to 90 people were in attendance. The program started with a dedication of the Quincy Jones Performance Center and ended with the Garfield Jazz Ensemble playing “Stockholm Sweetnin” directed by Quincy Jones himself.
UW honors a leader
On Oct. 18 the 4th annual University of Washington Alumni Association MAP Bridging the Gap Scholarship Breakfast will honor Dolores Sibonga. Sibonga is a lawyer who has been a lifetime community activist and an elected public official, having served three terms as the first Filipino American member of the Seattle City Council.
Business leaders together
On Sept. 3, the new district governor of Rotary District 5030 Jesse Tam and his wife, Lilly Tam, spoke at Seattle 4 Rotary in downtown Seattle at the Red Lion Inn. Seattle 4 Rotary’s president is Nancy O. Slater. It is the largest Rotary in the world with over 700 members.♦
Comings and goings
Jolene Jang, a fun specialist, has been elected as the chapter president of National Speakers Association (NSA) for 2008-2009. Founded in 1984, NSA Northwest is a community of speakers on a wide range of topics. Their professional members have qualified to this status by presenting professionally for five years and earning over a certain amount from speaking.