Rep Cindy Ryu Passes First Bill for Freshmen in Leg

House passes Ryu bill to help cities save lives and money

Unanimous vote makes Ryu the first freshman to pass a bill from the House in 2011

Rep Cindy Ryu lives in Shoreline
and is the former Mayor

February 7, 2011

Representative Cindy Ryu took office last month and is celebrating her first legislative victory.  She was elected last November to the represent the 32nd Legislative District and resides in Shoreline. Her legislation is expected to give flexibility to communities in lowering speed limits and provide more safety to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

OLYMPIA—The House voted unanimously today for a proposal by state Rep. Cindy Ryu that would allow local governments to lower speed limits to 20 miles per hour on non-arterial roads without conducting expensive traffic studies.

The 92-0 vote for House Bill 1217 made Ryu (D-Shoreline) the first freshman lawmaker to pass a bill from the House of Representatives in the 2011 session.

“I’m very pleased the House agreed to help local governments save lives and tax dollars,” said Ryu. “We know that lowering speed limits to 20 miles per hour can save lives. Giving cities and towns the option to reduce the speed limitwithout the need for special studies will also enable them to save scarce resources in these very difficult times.”

The Washington State Association of County Engineers estimates that it typically costs $1,000 to $5,000 to do the kind of traffic studies covered by Ryu’s bill, but the costs can be significantly higher in complex situations or when small jurisdictions need to hire consultants to do the work.

Ted Inkley, Board President of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, told the House Transportation Committee that Ryu’s measure could literally be a lifesaver in communities that take advantage of the option to reduce speed limits.

“Relatively small differences in speed can make a huge difference in survivability for pedestrians,” said Inkley.

Inkley said traffic studies in London show that lower speed limits are especially effective in reducing traffic fatalitiesamong children.

For more information:

Rep. Cindy Ryu (360) 786-7880

Maiden Speech by Rep Cindy Ryu on House Floor, Honors Dr. Martin Luther King

Cindy Ryu honors Dr Martin Luther King's Birthday, with her first floor speech yesterday.
A video of her speech is also available @ 
http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/cindy-ryu/rep-cindy-ryus-maiden-speech-honors-martin-luther-king-jr/


Rep Ryu was elected by voters in the 32nd District this past November. She made history as the first Korean-American Women ever elected to the State House. She had previously also made history as the first Korean-American Women elected Mayor in the US as mayor of Shoreline. Cindy Ryu is a Democrat representing the 32nd Legislative District which includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Woodway, Kenmore and parts of un-incoprorated King and Snohomish Counties.

Rep Cindy Ryu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker,

I’m proud my first speech in this House is about Martin Luther King, Jr., and his dream.

As the first Korean-American woman to have the honor of serving in this House, I know in my heart that I would not be here if Martin Luther King’s dream had died with him

Many of us would not be here.

He dreamed of an America with freedom, opportunity, justice, and full civil rights for all. He dreamed of an America where what counted was the content of a person’s character. And Americans listened.

In fact, the whole world listened.

지금 나에게는 꿈이 있습니다.

[Ji Keum Na Ae Gae Neun GGeum E It SSeum Nee Da] 

That is “I have a dream today” translated into Korean. I say it to remind us that Dr. King’s dream has been translated intomany languages around the world. And it still inspires people around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I know these are hard times. This recession doesn’t feel like the dream. And we have not yet reached (the goal of) full civil rights for all. But let’s remember what Dr. King said when he shared his dream.  He is speaking to us today as we remember and celebrate his life.

May I quote very briefly from his “I have a Dream” speech, Mr. Speaker?

Quote:

“I say to you today, my friends, that even though we face the difficulties and frustrations of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream!  It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream!

I believe we will, if we don’t let go, of the America of our dreams.

Dr. King said there would be bends in the road, even when we are moving forward. He also said that we will reach our goal.

Kagi Won't Run - Evan Smith Column

From
Shoreline Area News - Today - Evan Smith Column

Ruth Kagi Represents the 32nd Legislative District, including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Edmonds, Kenmore and parts of Juanita, Kirkland and Bothell.

Evan Smith: Rep. Kagi won’t run for Senate

TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics writer

State Rep, Ruth Kagi told me late Monday that she won’t run for the 32nd District State Senate seat that Sen. Darlene Fairley is vacating.

Last week, the 32nd District Democratic Committee voted to nominate Rep. Maralyn Chase for the Senate, former Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu for Chase’s House seat and Kagi for re-election to the House.

Meanwhile, State Senate Democrats were pressuring Kagi to run for the Senate. A week ago, she was weighing the Senate run against a safe re-election run for the House, where she is an Influential member.

She sent me this note Monday:

“After careful consideration and many conversations with thoughtful friends and colleagues, I have concluded that it does not make sense to give up chairmanship of the early learning and children's services committee and the seniority I have in the House to run for the Senate. My current position allows me to provide leadership at the state and national level on a range of children's and education issues”

Chase, Kagi, Ryu 32nd District Democratic Nominees Grassroots Democrats support Maralyn Chase for State Senate and Cindy Ryu for State Representative

Nominations are in from 32nd Legislative District Democrats -

Here is the news release from the District Chair, Carin Chase. Democratis PCO's met last night and voted on their nominations.

May 12, 2010, Shoreline, Wash. In a large gathering of Democrats at the Shoreline American Legion Hall, the 32^nd District Democrats nominated State Representative Maralyn Chase for State Senator and former Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu for State Representative, Position 1.

After receiving the nomination, Representative Chase stated,

 “I am honored and thrilled to have received the nomination of the 32nd District Democrats for the Senate.” 

Chase, nominated by former Senator Donn Charnley, was unopposed for the Senate nomination. She has received the endorsements of the King and Snohomish County Labor Councils, Senators Claudia Kauffman and Adam Kline, as well as Representatives Bob Hasagawa, Dave Upthegrove and John McCoy.

Former Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu touted her experiences on the Shoreline City Council, stating how she fought to make Aurora Avenue project business- and environmentally- friendly.  She explained, she is 

“excited, thankful and proud to be a Democrat.” 

Ryu has endorsements from Senator Paul Shinn, King County Assessor Lloyd Hara, and Edmonds City Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monilas.

“I am proud of our Democratic nominees, and I know they will represent the district well in Olympia.” Said Maryn Wynn, Vice Chair of the District.

Following the nominations of Chase and Ryu, the Democrats passed a resolution opposing the recent Arizona law granting the police broad powers to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. The resolution urges the cities of Edmonds, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park and Shoreline to refrain from conducting official city business with the State of Arizona until the law is repealed. “We do not want to send city employees to an environment where they could be detained,” argued Shoreline resident Jean-Paul Wilnyck.

In a statement read to the 32^nd District Democrats, Shoreline Councilmember Doris McConnell declared, “I am still weighing my options regarding running for 32^nd District State Representative but as of right now, I have not made a final decision.  I look forward to coming before your body for an endorsement, if I choose to run, at some future date.”

Nearly 60 Democrats attended the nominating convention, held after Senator Darlene Fairley announced her retirement last month. Representative Ruth Kagi received the Democrats’ nomination in April for State Representative, Position 2.

A copy of the resolutions passed by the 32^nd District Democrats is available at www.32democrats.org.

For More Information Contact:

Carin Chase

www.32democrats.org

carin.chase@32democrats.org 

The 32^nd Legislative District represents all or parts of the cities of Edmonds, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, and the Town of Woodway and portions of unincorporated Snohomish County.

Chase and Ryu Nominated by 32nd District Dems

  

The 32nd Leg District Democrats held their nominating convention Wednesday night. Since the retirement announcement of Senator Darlene Fairley, this process was required to select nominees for her senate seat and for the Position #1 Legislative office, because Maralyn Chase is seeking Fairley's seat.

The room was full at the American Legion Hall.  The Precinct Committee Officers from all over the district voted overwhelmingly for Rep Chase and former Shoreline Mayor Ryu.  There were no other names put forward as nominees, but Shoreline Councilmember Doris McConnell sent a note which was read to the assembled group. Clmbr McConnell stated that she was not able to attend due to another meeting, and was still considering running for the Position #1 Legislative seat that Ryu is now nominated for.

Chase will be holding her Kick-off party on
   Wednesday, May 26th at the Masonic Lodge on N 185th and Linden in Shoreline. 
 http://www.maralynchase.com/
Ryu will hold her Kick-off party Campaign Kick-Off Dinner 
   6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, June 3, 2010, United Presbyterian Gym   8506 240th St SW Edmonds, WA 

The general election will be held in November. If necesssary, a Primary Election will be held in August.

The 32nd Legislative District covers Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Woodway, portions of Kirkland and Edmonds, and portions of unincorporated King County and Snohomish County.

The Distict PCO's and membership also passed two resolutions as follows:
• Resolution Urging Repeal of Centralia Power Plant Tax Exemption
• Resolution Opposing Arizona SB 1070 (This is the State Senate Bill which allows police to stop anyone on suspicion of immigration status)