Benton, Evans
invited to be part of state delegation to China
June 14, 2007
OLYMPIA…Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver,
and Yacolt Primary School Principal Ken Evans are part of a
group of 11 state legislators and six K-12 educators invited to
go on a nine-day trip to China in late June.
No taxpayer
dollars are being used to pay for the trip, which begins June 23
and ends July 1. The tour is being sponsored by Hanban, which
promotes the teaching of the Chinese language around the world.
All of the members of the Washington state contingent are
personally paying a large portion of their trip’s costs.
Benton said
he is excited and honored to be invited on the tour and to visit
China for the third time in his life.
“The trip’s
main purpose is for us to see for ourselves how competitive
China is becoming economically,” Benton said. “It’s also an
opportunity to discuss why teaching Chinese in more Washington
public schools could benefit our state in the future. China is
becoming a bigger player in the world economy, and it’s
important for Washington to take advantage of that.”
Evans, whose
school is in the Battle Ground School District, also is honored
to be part of the tour.
“What I
appreciate about going on the trip is a chance to learn more
about the Chinese culture, as well as their language,” Evans
said. “I hope to have opportunities to look at having the
Chinese language taught in primary and elementary schools.”
While Hanban
has hosted many groups of educators from the United States and
other nations, the upcoming trip will be the first time any
American state legislators will participate in Hanban’s program
tour in China, Benton said.
“Washington
is part of the Pacific Rim and does heavy trading with China and
other Asian nations, so it’s a special honor to be among the
first group of state legislators selected to go on such a tour,”
Benton added.
During the
tour, the Washington delegation will join with about 250
educators from across the United States for an orientation
meeting before breaking off into small groups that will visit
schools in a variety of cities. The trip itinerary includes a
visit to the Chinese capital of Beijing, as well as Xi’an, where
a major university is located.
Sen. Pam
Roach, R-Auburn, is leading the delegation. Other legislators
going on the tour are Sens. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood; Jerome
Delvin, R-Richland; Karen Fraser, D-Lacey; Janéa Holmquist,
R-Moses Lake; Val Stevens, R-Arlington; and Rodney Tom,
D-Bellevue; and Reps. Zack Hudgins, D-Tukwila; Fred Jarrett,
R-Mercer Island; and Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle.
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Additional contact Brian
Zylstra at (360) 786-7399
or
zylstra.brian@leg.wa.gov
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