Olympia - Kids Teach Grown-ups How Legislation is Done!

Scene: Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee 
Meeting in Olympia
Thursday, 2/3/11 

State Capitol - Olympia

Chair Senator Rosemarie McAuliffe stated:

She is so impressed with the work of the students who testified and the proposal that she recommends something that has never happened before; in an unprecedented move, the committee voted on the Bill immediately and to have the Bill move to the next step in the process of becoming a law. She said "We've never done this before!" 

Students in 4, 5, 6th grades from Madrona K-8 School in Edmonds authored a Bill SB 5174 entitled 
"Encouraging instruction in the history of civil rights."  The Bill is co-sponsored by Senators Chase, McAuliffe, Prentice, Nelson, Kohl-Welles, Shin, and Kline.  The Madrona Program students had studied the civil rights movement, and were inspired. One of the students, Chase Simerka asked his grandmother, Senator Maralyn Chase, D- Shoreline to help his class craft a bill.  They wanted to do more to understand the history of the civil rights movement and help other students around the State to learn more and learn how to "make a difference" according to the classes joint statement. In a joint statement, The MLK Group said: 

“We think we are lucky that we live in this time, and we have freedoms here.  We think it is important to learn about places and times that don’t have the freedoms we share.  If people don’t learn about the Civil Rights movement, people could take it for granted.  This might lead to the same things happening again.  We also learned that kids can make a difference, and we want other kids to know they can too.”

 On Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Sen. Chase introduced SB 5174. The bill was granted a hearing, and the students were able to participate through a live conference call and video presentation.  When the bill was voted on in committee the class erupted into cheers. 

MLK Group at Edmonds Madrona K-8

“I am very proud of the work this group of kids has done, meeting during recesses and after school time to work on this project,” said Judi MacRae, the group’s advisor.

To watch the video coverage of the kids testimony try this link.
 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5AIQHS28
For further information, contact MLK Group Advisor Judi MacRae at 425-431-2918.

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.