Chinese American exclusion

WHEREAS, Washington state's history has been shaped by the 1
presence, labor, and cultural contributions of diverse communities, 2
including Chinese immigrants who played a foundational role in the 3
state's early development; and 4
WHEREAS, Racial tensions in the west helped lead to the Chinese 5
Exclusion Act of 1882, which represents a significant chapter in 6
American history, informing how laws and public institutions have 7
shaped the experiences of immigrant communities; and8
WHEREAS, Remembrance of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the 9
subsequent tragedies of the Tacoma Riot of 1885 and the Seattle Riot 10
of 1886 provides an opportunity to reflect on the historical context 11
of exclusion while honoring the perseverance, resilience, and lasting 12
contributions of Chinese Americans; and 13
WHEREAS, Chinese Americans in Washington faced continued 14
discrimination such as special taxes, prohibitions against marrying 15
whites, and owning land, which led to the Chinese American community 16
sharing resources, forming businesses, and using the judicial system 17
to defend their civil rights; and 18
WHEREAS, Chinese Americans in Washington have enriched the state 19
through their leadership and participation in commerce, education, 20
public service, the arts, and community life, contributing to the 21
cultural vitality of the state; and 22
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2026-4681 , by Representatives Zahn, Thai, Parshley,
Duerr, Peterson, Nance, Street, Hall, Taylor, Obras, Reed, Bronoske, Ryu, Stearns,
Santos, Lekanoff, and Salahuddin
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WHEREAS, Reflection on the past plays a vital role in ensuring 1
the history of discrimination against Chinese Americans is understood 2
as part of Washington's broader civic and cultural story, rather than 3
as a distant or isolated moment in time; and 4
WHEREAS, Learning about this history encourages public awareness, 5
historical understanding, and reflection on the values of inclusion, 6
belonging, and shared responsibility; and 7
WHEREAS, The House commends commemorative and educational 8
programs which help ensure that the experiences and contributions of 9
Chinese Americans are recognized, remembered, and passed on to future 10
generations; 11
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington state House 12
of Representatives recognize the importance of reflecting on the 13
history of Chinese American exclusion in Washington state as a moment 14
for education, reflection, and remembrance, and affirm the value of 15
honoring Chinese American history and cultural contributions as an 16
integral part of Washington's shared civic and cultural heritage.17
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