Summary

Councilmember Larry Gossett released a statement following the Washington State Legislature's adoption of Initiative 1000 which will allow recruitment goals for minority candidates in state jobs, education and contracting, significantly loosening existing restrictions on targeted outreach and other forms of affirmative action.

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“Almost 400,000 signatures were presented in support of I-1000.

“Those signatures represented a call, a call of the of people demanding  the State Legislature act on removing many of the onerous barriers that I-200 created for people of color, underserved populations, women, and veterans wanting to expand opportunities available to them.

“Last night, the legislators heeded that call, adopting I-1000 and ending the two decades of the onerous barriers that I-200 created for people of color, underserved populations, women, and veterans.

“I want to thank legislators for taking this step, as well as thanking public officials such as Governors Dan Evans, Gary Locke and Christine Gregoire who spoke out in support of I-1000.

“But in the end, the greatest praise goes to the men and women who developed I-1000, who organized signatures drives, who went to the churches and community centers and the streets to gather the names that caused the state to act.

“These people, and their work, embody Dr. King’s statement that “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”