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Snohomish County Council proclaims June Immigrant Heritage Month after residents, nonprofit leaders share testimony
Summary
The Snohomish County Council unanimously adopted Resolution 26-029 recognizing June as Immigrant Heritage Month after immigrant and refugee community members described resettlement stories and local contributions to the county’s economy and civic life.
The Snohomish County Council on May 26 unanimously approved Resolution 26-029 designating June as Immigrant Heritage Month after several immigrant and refugee community members addressed the council in support.
Council member Nehring introduced the resolution and invited guests to share personal stories. "It's been a huge blessing for our family to be part of this country," said Vitali Gutsalo, who said his family arrived in the county in 2001 and now operates multiple local businesses that employ more than 140 people. "I'm a big supporter of the current bill that's been proposed," he said.
Evang Dinh Kunoz, director of Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest, told the council the county is home to a large refugee and immigrant population and described the nonprofit's decades of resettlement work. "Our county is a huge diverse and melting pot," Kunoz said, noting the organization's long history in the region.
Other speakers shared similar themes about opportunity and gratitude. An online commenter, Ricardo, described arriving from Mexico, working multiple jobs, earning a scholarship and eventually U.S. citizenship; Abdulai Toure and Tarsany Afgas also told personal migration stories and thanked the council for recognizing refugee and immigrant experiences.
Council members responded with thanks and personal reflections. "We've heard today just a few stories from all around the world... seeking a better life," Council member Nehring said, urging the preservation of opportunity for future generations. Councilman Rouleau thanked the guests and said the remarks had "hit me hard in the heart today."
The council moved to adopt the resolution, the motion was seconded and the measure passed 4 to 0. The meeting recessed briefly for photos before continuing with the agenda.
The resolution recognizes immigrant and refugee contributions and provides ceremonial acknowledgment; no regulatory or funding changes were enacted as part of the measure. Future committee work or county programs referenced during discussion were not specified in the administrative session.
