The Senate Members of Color Caucus welcomes Senator Manka Dhingra; lays out an agenda focused on inclusion
Olympia – Democrats welcomed the newly elected senator from the 45th Legislative District, Manka Dhingra, as the Washington State Senate convened for the 2018 legislative session.
Dhingra becomes the 25th member of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the fifth member of the Senate Members of Color Caucus (MOCC). Sen. Bob Hasegawa, Chair of the MOCC, and members Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, Sen. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, and Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, released the following statement:
“We are honored to celebrate the start of the 2018 legislative session by welcoming our new colleague, Sen. Manka Dhingra, to the Washington State Legislature.
“The election of Sen. Dhingra this past November not only led to a Democratic majority in the Senate but also expanded the membership of the Members of Color Caucus. As the power shifts in Olympia, the MOCC will continue to give a voice to communities of color across our great state, and ensure that they are represented in policy discussions.
“We have made significant progress in Washington, but we cannot solely rely on our past achievements. Serving you is a great privilege; one we do not take lightly. Our priority as a coalition will always be to amplify the voices of underrepresented and disenfranchised communities.
“At a time when our country appears deeply divided, Washington state will continue to be a beacon for the rest of the nation. We will continue to move forward on a unified path together. Uplifting the voices of our communities is a collective effort. That is why we stand together to support the economic and social growth of all people.
“We will stand up for immigrants, refugees, and all people of color who enrich the cultural and economic landscape of our state.
“We will stand up for voters in every community until we can all be represented in fair elections.
“We will confront racial bias in the criminal justice system and in other institutions built on the promise of equality.
“This year in Olympia, we reaffirm our shared dedication to creating equity in our state. Our caucus knows diversity is one of our strongest assets and we look forward to working on a robust agenda that matters most to the communities we serve. ”
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For more information or for interviews: Bre Weider, (360) 786-7326; Sharlett Mena, (360) 786-7013
Para más información o para entrevistas en español: Sharlett Mena, (360) 786-7013
