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Council honors Wing Luke, affixes signatures to Black History Month proclamation
Summary
Councilmembers suspended rules to allow family members of former Councilmember Wing Luke to speak on what would have been his 100th birthday, and the council affixed nine signatures to a Black History Month proclamation; family members and former Councilmember Tanya Wu addressed the chamber.
The Seattle City Council used its Feb. 18 session to mark two observances: honoring the late Wing Luke on what would have been his 100th birthday and affixing signatures to the city’s Black History Month proclamation.
Councilmember Alex Rivera opened the recognition of Wing Luke, calling him "a steadfast champion of civil rights, an accomplished lawyer and politician, and a leader who brought people together with compassion and humor." Rivera requested suspension of the council rules to allow Luke’s family to speak; with no objection, the rules were suspended and family members addressed the council.
Cynthia Del Rosario, who identified herself as the daughter of Ruby Luke, and Linda Khan, identified as a family member, recounted personal memories and described Luke’s commitment to listening and bringing people together. Del Rosario said, "He was a man of passion, a man of purpose, and a man of perseverance," and described his practice of greeting people by name.
Councilmember Rivera and other councilmembers thanked the family and the Wing Luke Museum for information about Luke’s life. Rivera noted Luke’s wartime service and subsequent work on open-housing legislation and the Seattle Human Rights Commission as part of his historical record.
Separately, the council considered a Black History Month proclamation. Councilmember Hollingsworth, who led the presentation, highlighted economic mobility and historical context in remarks about the proclamation theme, "African Americans and labor." Councilmember Saka offered an edit to acknowledge the city’s immigrant and refugee communities from the African diaspora; Saka said the edit reflects Seattle’s inclusive character and referenced his background as the son of a Nigerian immigrant.
The council recorded a roll call to determine which members would like their signatures affixed to the proclamation; nine members voted in favor and the proclamation will be presented at a scheduled ceremony the following day. Council members noted the proclamation would be presented at 10 a.m. on Feb. 19 at a city event space.
No formal policy or funding actions were taken as part of these ceremonial items.
