African American Legislative Day 2007

A coalition of African American advocacy groups, churches, businesses and organizations will converge in Olympia for African American Legislative Day, Monday, Feb. 12.
The annual African American Legislative Day will be held at the Capital Building, 210 11th Ave. SW, in Olympia.
"The overwhelming response from the community has amazed me," said Rosalund Jenkins, of the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs. "The people believe it's our year to be heard. They're coming in force."
There will be programs for adults, teens and children at the event.
The schedule for the entire day follows:
•  8-9:30 a.m. Registration, Capital Building Rotunda
•  8-10 a.m. Legislative hearings
House-Economic Development and Juvenile Justice committees meet
Senate-Early Learning, K-12 and Higher Education committees meet
•  9-11:15 a.m. Issue Workshops
The "WASL" test and Washington Learns: the Black community's stake in education reform
Health Care Disparities: Ending inequitable suffering and death in communities of color
Economic Development: Moving Black business ahead          Criminal Justice: Inequitable drug laws and options to fix them
•  9-10 a.m. Youth entertainment, State Reception Room, followed by a building tour
• 10-11:15 a.m. Youth workshop, Legislative Building 112
• 12:15 p.m. Rally on the Capital Steps. Box lunches served, including vegetarian.
• 11:35 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Elected officials forum, Capital Rotunda
Sen. Rosa Franklin, Sen. Adam Kline, Rep. John Lovick, Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez-Kennedy, Rep. Eric Pettigrew, Rep. Sharon Tomiko-Santos, Sen. Lisa Brown
• 12:45-1 p.m. Gov. Christine Gregoire outlines her 2007 priorities, Capital Rotunda
• 1-1:15 p.m. Member recognition, Commission on African American Affairs, Capital Rotunda
• 1:30-3 p.m. Legislative hearings
House-Criminal Justice/Corrections, Health Care, Higher Education committees meet
Senate-No hearings scheduled at this time
• 1:30-3 p.m. Tentative meetings with members on specific bills. Call 360-725-5663 for details.
Transportation to Olympia by motor coach is available from multiple locations in Seattle, Tacoma and Everett. Call 360-725-5663 for more information and to pre-register, so you won't have to wait in line.