EVERETT—The Snohomish County Council honored both the county’s robust Asian/Pacific Islander and Mexican communities on Wednesday, May 1, by signing two separate proclamations recognizing May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month; and recognizing May 5 officially as Cinco de Mayo.

The General Legislative Session kicked off with council unanimously passing Resolution 24-023, signing a proclamation recognizing May 2024 as Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The passing of the proclamation was first moved by Councilman Nate Nehring and seconded by Councilwoman Meghan Dunn.

“In June 1977, U.S. Representatives Frank Horton from New York and Norman Mineta from California introduced a resolution proposing the establishment of Asian Pacific Heritage Week, to be observed annually at the start of May. Similar legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii. The following year, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution into law, formalizing the annual event, and the inaugural celebration occurred in May 1979. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush officially designated May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month”, as stated on the U.S. Senate website.

To speak on the proclamation Sam Sim, representing the Greater Seattle Korean Association, took the podium to share some of the challenges he faced growing up as a Korean American in the region. Sim said he was constantly reminded of his cultural, and ethnical, difference from those around him which caused him to be “ashamed of being Korean” and forced himself to fit in with other cultures through most of his youth and adolescent years.

It wasn’t until Sim’s family moved to Washington to attend the University of Washington when he finally discovered who he really was, Sim shared, through taking an Asian American studies course and learning that he was far from being alone.

“It was in this class where I first heard the term ‘bicultural’. I learned that I was a part of a distinct population group who have a special privilege from benefitting from two cultures – Asian and American. My sense of shame quickly turned to a sense of pride for the first time,” said Sim. “I’m living proof that as an Asian American, a Korean American, we can leverage the fact that we are indeed bicultural, in other words, we have two beating hearts. We can use this to bless our communities with our lived experiences, and shared experiences.”

Sim closed his remarks by sharing just how important it is for fellow Asian Americans to have a county-recognized Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to feel a sense of pride for their culture, and bridge communities through shared experiences.

“Thank you, Snohomish County Council, for having the heart, mind, and vision, and foresight to make the AMPIA proclamation a reality,” said Sim.

Also, in attendance representing the Greater Seattle Korean Association Chairman Alisa Na.

Next the council unanimously approved Thursday, May 2, as a National Day of Prayer in Snohomish County for all faiths. The first Thursday of May has traditionally been held as a National Day of Prayer to unite, guide, and heal our country through all walks of backgrounds and faith.

Snohomish County Councilman Nate Nehring then moved to approve Resolution 24-025, a proclamation recognizing Sunday, May 5, as Cinco de Mayo, seconded by Councilman Sam Low.

First to speak on the proclamation was Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Altamirano-Crosby who extended a heartfelt thank you to Chair Jared Mead and Vice Chair Nate Nehring for inviting her to speak.

“Today, as we come together to honor Cinco de Mayo, a date of immense significance and pride for the Mexican people, I am filled with gratitude and nostalgia. This acknowledgment holds a dear place in my heart, reminiscent of when I advocated for the Resolution in April 2022, urging the honoring and observance of Cinco de Mayo in Snohomish County,” said Altamirano-Crosby. “On April 25, 2022, our collective decision to commemorate the historic struggle of the Mexican people for independence and freedom against the Empire of France marked a pivotal moment.”

In 2021, Lynnwood and Snohomish the first city and county, respectively, in Washington state to recognize and observe Cinco de Mayo, or May 5.

The history between the United States of America and the United States of Mexico are intertwined within generations of politics and tradition. In the USA, Cinco de Mayo is traditionally celebrated as if it were the Mexican Independence Day, which does exist, but is celebrated on September 16th – the day generally regarded as honoring Mexico’s independence from Spain.

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s victory over the Second Empire of France at the Battle of Puebla during the Second Franco-Mexican War on May 5, 1862. The day, which falls on a Thursday this year, is also known as the Battle of Puebla Day, and serves as a reminder of the close familial, cultural, spiritual, and economic ties between the republics of Mexico and the United States.

“Today it is not just about remembering history; It is also about celebrating the vibrant culture, resilience, and contributions of the Mexican community to our society,” Altamirano Crosby continued. “We are privileged to have with us distinguished people who, through their tireless work, connect us with our culture, identity, and language, transmitting this rich legacy to the new generations of our community.”

Following Altamirano-Crosby, José Luis González, a prominent Latin journalist, Paola Pimienta, Queen of the National Charrería Coordination of the American Union, and Consul Gerardo Javier Guiza Vargas, Soco Molina Ramirez, co-owner of Taqueria Puebla and Red Cork Bistro in Mukilteo, shared some words at the podium.

“One of the main functions of the Mexican Consulates in the world and in the U.S. is to promote the integration of Mexican immigrant communities into their host communities,” said Guiza Vargas who was visiting Snohomish County from Mexico for the first time. “We want their abilities and skills to be used and that the contributions to their community be recognized. We want you to know about our history and enjoy our culinary art, traditions, and music. The acknowledgement and commemoration of our traditions and festivals is a gesture of recognition and respect that flatters us all.”

Also, in attendance showing their support of the Cinco de Mayo proclamation was Lorena Toyos of the Department of Political and Economic Affairs of the Mexican Consulate in Seattle, and Soco Molina Ramirez’s husband Adrian Ramirez. Daniel Agis Eslava, Director General of International Relations for the State of Guerrero-Mexico, was also in attendance via zoom.

“It’s great that we’re honoring both [of these resolutions] today. It’s important that we recognize people in our community and the accomplishments that have been made in our community by these different people groups,” said County Councilman Sam Low. “Snohomish County is a welcoming place and I hope that we continue to welcome people from all over the world and what an honor to have both resolutions in front of us today.”

County Council Vice Chair Nehring echoed Low’s sentiments.

Lastly County Council approved a resolution, 24-026, designating May 5 through May 11 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week and May 12 through May 18 as National Law Enforcement Officers Week. The approval was moved by Council Vice Chair Nehring seconded by Councilman Strom Peterson.

Consent Agenda

Following the passing of these proclamations council approved the following items on its consent agenda:

• A motion approving a budget transfer in the Grant Fund for funds received from the Department of Treasury Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund
• A motion authorizing the County Executive to sign an amendment for Interagency Agreement between Snohomish County and Administrative Office of the Courts
• A motion authorizing an Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Whatcom County
• A motion authorizing an Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Jefferson County

The meeting adjourned after an Executive Session to discuss pending litigation.