County Council Recognizes the Refugee Forum of King County for its outstanding service
Summary
The organizations participating in the Refugee Forum of King County support and assist refugees to pursue freedom, hope, and security in their time of instability
Story
RECOGNITION |
WHEREAS, the United States welcomes up to 75,000 refugees to our shores each year; and
WHEREAS, since 2003, Washington has welcomed 32,898 refugees, representing 4.3 percent of the total number entering the United States; and
WHEREAS, in response to increasing numbers of refugees arriving in King County, the regional Office of Refugee Resettlement began hosting monthly meetings for local refugee resettlement organizations in 1978, to plan services and discuss issues, and this led to the development of the Refugee Forum of King County; and
WHEREAS, members of the Refugee Forum of King County include individuals, nonprofit organizations, and city and state agencies that provide services to refugees and new arrivals to the region; and
WHEREAS, the organizations participating in the Refugee Forum of King County support and assist refugees to pursue freedom, hope, and security in their time of instability; and
WHEREAS, these organizations help to care for the thousands of men, women, and children, the elderly and the infirm, who have lost their homes and left behind family members and their country; and
WHEREAS, refugees become a vibrant part of our community and our economy; and
WHEREAS, providing opportunities to thrive for all, including the newest residents of King County, is a core value of this government and one that requires collaboration from community-based organizations;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, recognize the
REFUGEE FORUM OF KING COUNTY |
for its current and historical efforts to welcome and coordinate support for refugees in King County, and for its leadership in embodying the values of a diverse and inclusive King County.
DATED this eleventh day of January, 2016.