State officials, survivors and community leaders mark 50 years of Southeast Asian resettlement with launch of New Land

New Land, a Legacy Washington book that commemorates 50 years since the first Southeast Asian refugees arrived in Washington, was unveiled at an event hosted by the Washington State Archives and Legacy Washington. Washington State Archivist Heather Hirataka opened the program on behalf of the office and acknowledged the traditional homelands of the Squaxin Island and Nisqually tribes.

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck framed the program as both celebration and memory work, linking his family’s experience of the Vietnam era to the broader story of refugee resettlement and praising the political leadership of Governor Dan Evans in 1975 for welcoming refugees. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs described the Secretary of State’s office role in producing the Legacy Washington series and encouraged attendees to purchase copies and meet the authors.

Speaker of the House Lori Jenkins called New Land “a powerful testament to courage, to resilience” and said the book amplifies voices often overlooked in official records. Evans Wynne, whose parents were among the first families processed at Camp Murray in 1975, offered personal recollections and two observations about continuity and change in Washington’s communities.

Savong Lam read remarks attributed to Mani Ooch and spoke about Khmer survival and culture. Lam emphasized that the community’s story includes ongoing struggles: she warned that members of Southeast Asian communities continue to face the threat of detention and deportation and urged continued organizing and advocacy.

Kayla Somvile, founder and executive director of the Lao Community Service Center, described the Lao community’s growth since arriving in 1981, thanked partner organizations, and announced two community events: a governor’s proclamation honoring the 50th anniversary (signed and dated August 8, according to Somvile) and an annual cultural festival at Lake Sammamish State Park on August 23.

Representative Tai, who proposed the New Land project to Legacy Washington and remains a project leader, closed the program with a prepared speech titled “I’m a dreamer.” Tai recounted arriving as a teenager, described her public-service trajectory, urged the sharing of intergenerational stories for healing, and said she intends to pursue a permanent historical plaque at Sea-Tac Airport to mark the arrival of the first 34 refugee families at Gate B5.

The program mixed historical reflection, calls for continued advocacy on immigration and community supports, and announcements of forthcoming commemorations. Copies of New Land and author signatures were offered after the program.