Jan. 11, 2011
OLYMPIA–Cindy Ryu was sworn in Jan. 10 as the new state representative for the 32nd Legislative District, which stretches across North King and South Snohomish counties and includes Shoreline, Edmonds, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore.
“It is a wonderful honor and privilege to represent the parts of the state I love best, where I’ve lived and worked and raised a family with my husband,” said Ryu, a Democrat.
A former Shoreline mayor and former President of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, Ryu and her husband, Cody, have lived and worked in the north King and south Snohomish County area since 1976. Their daughters attended Edmonds and Shoreline schools and graduated from the U.W. Their son currently attends Shorewood High.
Ryu said her 2010 priorities will reflect the character of the district.
“We support education at all levels, from early learning to college. We believe government needs to do more to encourage job growth and business opportunities. We cherish Puget Sound and our natural environment. And we support tax reform to bring tax fairness to families and small businesses—and to avoid state budget cuts that would have devastating impacts on our communities, families and our moral responsibilities,” Ryu said.
Deep cuts to the Legislature’s own budget will greatly reduce the number of paper newsletters that senators and representatives mail out over the next two years. Ryu is asking area residents to sign up for her e-mail alerts, which will announce breaking legislative news and give people a chance to share their thoughts. It is easy to sign up. Just visit this web page: [https://apps.leg.wa.gov/subscriptions/member.aspx?chamber=h&member=ryu].
Ryu made history when she swore the oath of office. She is the first Korean-American woman to serve in the Washington State Legislature. Sen. Paull Shin (D-21) is the only other Korean-American who has served in the Legislature. Ryu met with Shin for an historic handshake at the state seal between the House and Senate.
This is the second time Ryu has made history. When she was elected mayor of Shoreline, she was the first Korean-American woman to be elected mayor in the United States.
Ryu will serve on four House Committees: Transportation, Community Development & Housing, Business & Financial Services, and the Rules Committee, which helps to determine whether bills that other committees have passed are advanced to consideration by the full House.
“I hope everyone in the 32nd district will feel free to contact me and let me know their personal priorities for the 2011 legislative session,” said Ryu. “Hearing from the people I serve is an honor as well as a pleasure.”
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Link to print quality portrait photo of Rep. Cindy Ryu: https://www.leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/publishingimages/ryu.jpg
