40 Years: 1974 – 2014
On February 26, 1974, the 43rd Washington State Legislature formally created the Washington State Commission on Asian American Affairs as a state agency. In 1995, Governor Mike Lowry signed a bill to change the Commission’s name to The State of Washington Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs to include Pacific Islanders.
Media Stories
Below are media stories highlighting CAPAA’s rich history through articles, op-editorials, and interviews of CAPAA’s former and current commissioners and staff members. Please click on the link(s) below to read more.
International Examiner
- 40 Years With CAPAA: API Activists Blaze Trail to the Capitol
- 40 Years with CAPAA: First API State Commission Gets to Work
- 40 Years with CAPAA: Commissioners Respond to Unique Challenges
- 40 Years with CAPAA: APIs Flex Political Muscle for Change
- 40 years with CAPAA: Changing With the Times, Looking to the Future
Northwest Asian Weekly
- Brief: APA commission celebrates 40 years
- Celebrating 40 years of CAPAA’s rich legacy, from 1974 to 2014
- PICTORIAL: 40th anniversary of the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs
40th Anniversary Event
Guests at the event included Miebeth Bustillo-Booth, who was appointed director of CAPAA in 1999 by Governor Gary Locke.
The Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) brought together youth, community leaders, elected officials, and Commissioners on May 15, 2014 to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The anniversary event showcased the story about why the Asian Pacific American (APA) community led the creation of CAPAA 40 years ago, our accomplishments since then, and our continuing commitment to improve the lives of APAs in our great state.
Thank you to our sponsors: Port of Seattle, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Muckleshoot Tribe, CAPAA Commissioners, Tulalip Tribes, and InterIm CDA
The event featured: Lori Matsukawa, Master of Ceremonies; Governor Jay Inslee; Performances by Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team, Seattle Kokon Taiko, and Tautua; and Voices of the Next Generation.
Event Program Booklet (PDF)
- Greeting messages from President Obama and Governor Jay Inslee
- History of the Commission
- List of Directors, staff, and Commissioners
40th Anniversary photographs by Eugene Tagawa