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King County residents receive Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service
Summary
This is the fourth year Councilmembers have recognized individuals in their districts that have answered the question asked by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?”
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| Metropolitan King County Councilmembers are joined by the 2019 recipients of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service l-r: Councilmember Balducci, Rev. James McEachran, Councilmember Kohl-Welles, Cindy Domingo, Councilmember Dembowski, Sarah Haycox, Eddie Rye, Jr., Councilmember Gossett, Renèe Hopkins, Councilmember McDermott, Christine Williams, Councilmember Upthegrove, Peggy LaPorte, Councilmembers Dunn, von Reichbauer and Lambert. Not pictured: MLK recipient Amy Biggs, and ZamZam Abdulgani, daughter of MLK recipient Amina Ahmed |
A grade schooler celebrating the life and legacy of a civil rights pioneer. Two people meeting the challenge of helping the homeless and creating affordable housing. The late advocate for the communities of South King County and a man who lead the fight to rename a Seattle street in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. What do they have in common? Going above and beyond in their efforts to make a difference in communities across King County.
Today the Metropolitan King County Council awarded nine citizens the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service, an accolade recognizing those who are committed to public service.
This is the fourth year Councilmembers have recognized individuals in their districts that have answered the question asked by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?” Today’s recipients have helped in their communities in a number of ways:
Council Chair Rod Dembowski recognized 11-year old Sarah Haycox, who has worked to honor the life and legacy of slain civil rights leader Edwin T. Pratt, who invested his life in justice and economic parity, and as director of the Seattle Urban League, was instrumental in the efforts to desegregate schools and fight housing discrimination in the Seattle area.
Councilmember Larry Gossett presented the medal to civil rights activist Eddie Rye, Jr., who among his half-century of community advocacy was responsible for the effort to rename Seattle’s Empire Way into Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.
Councilmember Kathy Lambert celebrated the work of Amy Biggs, who help save the Snoqualmie Valley Transit system and has been a tireless advocate for the residents of the Snoqualmie Valley.
Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles recognized human rights advocate Cindy Domingo, a tireless advocate for underrepresented communities and communities of color, who helped shine a spotlight on the actions of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the man responsible for the assassination of her brother.
Councilmember Dave Upthegrove recognized the late Amina Ahmed, who was a trailblazing voice and advocate for communities in South King County.
Council Vice Chair Claudia Balducci awarded the medal to the Rev. James McEachran, who retired as pastor of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue after a full career serving the needs of people on the Eastside, including helping to create Imagine Housing, the Eastside’s leading affordable housing organization.
Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer celebrated the work of Peggy LaPorte, who took an idea of helping homeless women and their children from her Federal Way kitchen table and established FUSION (Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed, and Needy), an all-volunteer non-profit helping families out of homelessness and into permanent housing.
Councilmember Joe McDermott recognized Renèe Hopkins, the CEO for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, an advocate for responsible gun ownership and working to have gun violence recognized as a public health as well as a public safety issue.
Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn presented the medal to Christine Williams, who as the coordinator for the Neighbors Feeding Neighbors (NFN) senior hot meals program and a bus driver of special needs students, delivers food and children throughout the city of Enumclaw.
Today’s recipients were selected by the Councilmembers in each respective district. The annual presentation of the MLK Medal of Distinguished Service is the Council’s way of thanking those who have made a particularly strong impact on the county and to encourage others to renew their dedication to serve their community.