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Dear Friend:
Happy New Year! I hope 2011 is a great year for you and your family.
I am pleased to announce that on Monday, January 3, 2011, I was unanimously elected Chair of the Metropolitan King County Council. As Chair, it is my responsibility to lead the Council through this difficult economic period. It is my hope to finish the re-organization of the County Council by the end of the month. At that time, I will let you know what other committees I serve on.
This Saturday, January 15th, is the birthday of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I hope you will be able to join me at two exciting events dedicated to celebrating his life and continuing work to make his dream a reality.
Thursday, January 13: All King County residents are invited to the 24th Annual King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration to celebrate the memory of Dr. King. The theme for this year's celebration is "We are the ones we have been waiting for." We chose this quote from the poem "Poem for South African Women" by June Jordan, about the South African Women's struggle against apartheid as this years' theme to inspire us to take positive steps to bring about changes in our community to honor the legacy of Dr. King. In King County, we have already taken steps towards being the change we seek by implementing the Equity and Social Justice Initiative. The Equity and Social Justice Initiative requires King County to acknowledge and begin to rectify the systematic inequities perpetuated by government action or inaction. We are honored to be joined by Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones as the keynote speaker at this special event. Backed by her research, Dr. Jones uses powerful allegories to promote discussion and understanding of the difficult topic of the impact of race on our national health and well-being. She is a passionate advocate for equity and justice in our society and appeared in the video “Unnatural Causes” a documentary about the adverse affects and unintended consequences of policy decisions.
This free event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, at the 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Avenue in downtown Seattle, from noon to 1 p.m. Please note that the 5th Avenue does not allow food in the theatre.
Monday, January 17: The Martin Luther King Celebration Committee announces the 29th annual region-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. This years' theme is "Many Voices United to Build the Beloved Community." This year, MLK Day occurs during a time of political and social unrest and a seemingly endless economic crisis. The urgent needs of our communities have inspired this years' theme as an acknowledgment that we have yet to achieve Dr. King's "Beloved Community." "And so the aftermath of violence is bitterness; the aftermath of non-violence is the creation of the beloved community; the aftermath of non-violence is redemption and reconciliation."
The celebration begins at Garfield High School, Workshops at 9:30 am to 11 am, Rally at 11 am, and March at 12 pm. The march route is from Garfield High School (23rd Ave & Jefferson) to the Federal Building on 2nd Ave. Immediately after the march, refreshments will be served at Garfield's lunchroom FREE to all participants! For more information please visit www.mlkseattle.org.
I look forward to continuing to work for the residents of District 2. If you have any comments or questions regarding your King County Government, please do not hesitate to email me at: larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov.
Sincerely,
Larry Gossett |
