Statement on Martin Luther King Jr. Day from Sound Transit Chair Paul Miller

In honor of commemorating the birthday of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sound Transit offices in Seattle, Southeast Seattle and Tacoma will be closed Monday, Jan.18, 1999.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of building a nation that values our rich diversity is embraced at Sound Transit.

As a community leader and elected official, I have always advocated that government at all levels should reflect the people and communities that we serve. This vision is fundamental to the culture and values of Sound Transit, and as Chair of the Board of Directors who are responsible for overseeing this agency, I am proud that Sound Transit is living up to - and exceeding - efforts to create diversity and opportunity for all.

Sound Transit is indeed walking the talk.

Women and minorities hold key leadership, director, manager and professional positions throughout the agency. Women comprise the majority of Sound Transit staff and minority communities are represented throughout the agency at percentages equal to or exceeding the ethnic community population representation in our region. 

Every Sound Transit employee attends a mandatory training program on diversity awareness, and personal involvement in local community groups and activities is welcome and encouraged.

Sound Transit has implemented progressive and positive policies that lay the foundation to create economic opportunities throughout the region. Designing, building and implementing the Sound Transit system will require and create numerous new job opportunities for the people and communities we serve. Furthermore, the transit system itself will be a positive catalyst for revitalizing communities, inspiring new business opportunities, and encouraging economic development and investment.

The agency is committed to reaching out to every ethnic and minority community possible, with unprecedented community outreach efforts including meetings, hearings, community events, video productions and the publication of information materials and advertising translated into numerous languages.

Sound Transit's outreach efforts have resulted in Sound Transit achieving more than double the agency's federal goal of awarding contracts to local, small and minority, woman and disadvantaged businesses. 

While there is much to be proud of at Sound Transit, there is still much more to do. The Sound Transit Board and staff are committed to the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to embrace our rich diversity, and we are dedicated to develop a rapid transit system that creates new opportunities and increased freedom of mobility for the communities and people throughout the region.

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.