At the June 3 City Council meeting, Councilmember Mark Solomon (District 2) will present a proclamation declaring 2025 to be “Wing Luke Year in Seattle.”
The proclamation honors the 100th birthday of Wing Luke, who became the first Chinese American elected to the Seattle City Council in 1962. The proclamation also celebrates May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, recognizing the legacy of perseverance of the AANHPI community.
“As the first Asian American elected to public office in King County, Wing Luke was a visionary, a trailblazer, and a tireless champion of racial equity,” said Councilmember Solomon. “He honorably served his country during World War II and continued to build a legacy of service once he resumed civilian life. Wing Luke’s contributions to our community cannot be overstated and it is my honor to designate 2025 as Wing Luke Year in Seattle.”
The proclamation also recognizes past Seattle City Councilmembers of Asian American decent from 1969 to 2024.
Background
Wing Chong Luke’s Chinese American family persevered despite the cruelty of the U.S. Chinese Expulsion Act, returning to Seattle in 1931. Wing Luke became the first Asian American elected to public office in King County, serving on the Seattle City Council from 1962 until his death in 1965. The Wing Luke Museum was established in 1967.
What’s next
Councilmember Solomon’s proclamation naming 2025 as “Wing Luke Year in Seattle” will be presented at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 3 at 2 p.m.
# # #