Evergreen Reporter

Tacoma, WA – On May 24, during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, hosted a roundtable at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) to discuss the work APCC does and its plans for a new cultural center, underscore the importance of combatting anti-Asian hate, and highlight how Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities across Washington enrich the state.

Senator Murray secured $1.5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending as part of last year’s spending bill for APCC’s plan to construct a new cultural center. The new center will help APCC expand its home at South Park, better meet increasing demand for services, and provide language education and foreign exchange programs, adult education, youth educational and career guidance services, and more.

“You have really built something special over 27 years—and I’m excited to help you build a new Center to continue strengthening that legacy,” Senator Murray said. “The vision for this new space, and the possibilities for what you all will do with it, are great.”

Senator Murray spoke about the work APCC does to foster a sense of community, family, and home for families in Tacoma, and across Washington state.

“APCC is so many things to so many people—a hub of community for Asian and Pacific Islanders from every background,” Senator Murray said. “It is a point of connection for people seeking resources; a platform for cultural exchange, artistic expression, and important conversations; a voice for understanding, awareness, equity, and inclusion for Asian and Pacific Islander people—including immigrants, refugees, children, the seniors, and the struggling; and a place of celebration that shines a bright spotlight on the vibrant cultural riches and traditions all our Asian and Pacific Islander communities have to share.”

During her remarks at the Center, Senator Murray also spoke out against anti-Asian hate, and affirmed Asian and Pacific Islander families are a vibrant and valued part of the Washington state tapestry.

“I know the last few years have been hard—as we have seen a serious uptick in anti-Asian violence and hatred in the wake of the pandemic. And I recognize our state’s long, complicated, and painful history with anti-Asian discrimination and violence,” said Senator Murray. “But today, this hatred has no place in our state. I am determined to speak out against it, and to make sure even as we work to compete with other governments—we never vilify their people, or our own citizens for that matter. Diversity is an important strength for America—the communities you serve enrich our state beyond measure and represent some of the best of Washington state.”

“It was such an honor to have Senator Murray visit us at APCC today,” said Faaluaina (Lua) Pritchard,Executive Director of APCC. “APCC’s mission is to bridge communities and generations to come through art, culture, and education. The work we do here—representing 47 countries and cultures in Asia and the South Pacific—is really needed today, especially given the escalating violence and hate we’ve seen against AAPI communities. I’m so delighted that Senator Murray could join us for this really important conversation today—we’re thankful for the federal funding she secured and can’t wait to show her the brand-new cultural center once it’s built.” 

“At a time of rising anti-Asian hate and bigotry, leadership from our elected leaders is critical to ensuring our community’s safety and well-being. We appreciate the opportunity to meet with Senator Murray to discuss how Congress can address this issue through support, resourcing, and victim-centered approaches,” said Kendall Kosai, Pierce County Commissioner at the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. 

“Our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have deep roots in the City of Tacoma,” said Tacoma City Council Member Joe Bushnell. “The AAPI communities enrich our social fabric and are integral to our Tacoma community. As Tacoma’s first Cambodian-American City Council Member, and the first Cambodian-American to hold any elected office in Washington state, I am grateful to Sen. Murray for joining us in Tacoma, and engaging Tacoma’s AAPI leaders in thoughtful discussions about the needs and concerns of the AAPI community in Tacoma and across Washington state, including engaging in conversations about how to support the AAPI communities and combat anti-Asian hate.”

Participants in the roundtable discussion included APCC Executive Director Faaluaina Pritchard, Pierce County Commissioner at the WA State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs Kendall Kosai, Tacoma City Council Member Joe Bushnell, Former Superior Court Judge and Former State Representative Art Wang, founding Professor at UW Tacoma and Vice President of APCC Dr. Belinda Louie, artist, and President and Founder of APCC, Patsy Surh O’Connell, and Retired Lieutenant of U.S. Army and Secretary of the APCC Board Albert Cosio.

Original source can be found here.