By Jerry Cornfield | Everett Herald
This January, in public schools across Washington, students may spend time learning of the contributions of Chinese-Americans in this state’s history.
And achievements of Americans of Chinese descent as well.
A bill headed to the governor for signing would designate January as Chinese American/Americans of Chinese Descent History Month and encourage acknowledging of the state’s complicated history with the Chinese community.
The mission “is to provide our schools the tools, our students the education and our citizens the long overdue recognition they deserve,” said Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5000.
It’s been an unexpectedly difficult journey for the legislation.
Wagoner introduced a bill the past three sessions. This year’s version was two paragraphs long. It sought to make it Americans of Chinese Descent History Month.