The 50th American Anniversary of the Vietnam War and the 47th Annual Army of the Republic of Vietnam Day

I had the great honor to address the valiant Vietnam Freedom Fighters who stood shoulder to shoulder with the US Military in our attempts to bring democracy and freedom to Vietnam.  The following is an excerpt of my remarks from today's event:

My brothers it is good to see you to celebrate the 50^th American anniversary of the Vietnam War and the 47^th Annual Army of the Republic of Vietnam Day.

Colonel Pham and the Organizing Committee, I would like to thank you personally for your extended courtesy.

For the next 13 years our country will mark each year with a remembrance of that war. A war where Americans went to die for a people they never knew in a land far away.

More than 58,000 Americans were killed in action. Ten times that many South Vietnamese soldiers. Hundreds of thousands were injured for one reason: freedom. 

We fought with you for your freedom because it is our sacred duty to free men everywhere.

There is an inscription on our Washington State Vietnam Veterans Memorial that was dedicated to all of us who fought in Vietnam which a  friend of mine, General Dreps, who spoke here last year wrote: "To all my brothers and sisters who made it back, but never made it home..."

It meant all of us who fought for freedom in Vietnam would be changed. Some of us would lose our homes, others our lives and still others the comfort that we made it back but will never be the same.

We survived to live to tell our children and our children's children that we will never forget the time we fought to become freedom's brothers and those we left behind.

I salute you!

FARMERS MARKET - SATURDAY MAY 12, 2012

The dawn broke early with a glorious morning to set out for the Federal Way Farmers Market.  The sun was up and out early and the effect on Mount Rainier was stunning.  We are blessed to live in Federal Way.  The Farmers Market Kickoff Grand Opening was jammed with vendors and shoppers. 

People were interested to learn about the campaign for State Representative.  The crew who helped out estimated that we handed out 500 campaign information cards with lots of people saying they didn't want them as they were voting for Roger. 

We had a surprise visit from one of our longtime friends Kim who drove up in her awesome Model T.  It was quite spectacular.  The people at the market were ticked to see such a vintage automobile.  It sounded like what I think we all think of a Model T, what fun stuff.

As one of the members who serve on the Farmers Market board, I was stunned by the huge turnout of local residents and also by the large number of vendors.

I had to leave early, 9:00 a.m., for an endorsement meeting by the Pierce County Democrats.  I was impressed with their meeting and the questions were tough.  I am hopeful that we will have their endorsement in a day or two.

We plan on taking the day off from any campaigning in honor of Mother's Day.  It just seems to be a bit too intrustive to be knocking on doors on such a family oriented day.

From the streets of South King
County and Pierce County as
well,

Roger Flygare
Candidate for Position 1
State Representative - 30th
Legislative District

EXTRA, EXTRA ~ READ ALL ABOUT IT!!

Washington State Labor Council
COPE Endorsement ~ May 5, 2012

Heading for the May 5, 2012 Council On Political Endorsements (COPE) by the Washington State Labor Council was an arduous journey.  All candidates hoping and wishing for the very important COPE endorsement must meet with numerous endorsement committees from organizations across the State to be nominated and hopefully be placed on the slate of selected endorsements. 

Our campaign has been nominated proliferously and more importantly placed on the slate of selected endorsements; here are a couple of the more significant endorsements:  The 30th Legislative District Democratic Party, the King County Democratic Party, Martin Lurther King County Central Labor Council, the Pierce County Central Labor Council, IAM 751 ~ Boeing Aerospace Machinists Union, the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association, and the South King County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 2024.

All of our endorsements have been singular, meaning no dual endorsements.  That is significant because it is a reflection that our campaign is the one that truly reflects those particular organizations' platform of political issues.

I am proud to be endorsed by so many wonderful people and organizations and we are looking forward to gathering more endorsements as the campaign moves ahead.

Best wishes always,
Roger G. Flygare
Candidate for Position 1
State Representative ~ 30th LD
(253) 214-2999

Nominations Convention ~ 30th Legislative District ~ March 31, 2012

Dateline : March 31, 2012

The 30th District Democrats held their nominations convention today.  Chair Tim Burns was in fine form and held to the agenda. 

Nominations were called out for Position 1.  Roger Flygare was nominated by Paul Mallary and seconded by Keith Tyler; no other candidates were nominated; and by unanimous acclamation Roger Flygare was chosen as the Democratic Candidate for State Representative Position 1 for the 30th District. 

The next nomination was called out for Position 2.  Rick Hoffman was nominated by Carol Gregory and seconded by Keith Tyler; no other candidates were nominated; and by unanimous acclamation Rick Hoffman was chosen as the Democratic Candidate for State Representative Position 2 for the 30th District. 

There was lengthy conversation regarding the good of the order and the good direction that the 30th District was headed.  The meeting adjourned. 

Dateline:  March 29, 2012

 

Yesterday was a historic day for Washington State.  The Governor signed 12 bills aimed at Human Trafficking that I had been personally pursuing along with others. 

 

As Co-Director of Federal Way Coalition Against Trafficking, it was the culmination of a lot of hard work throughout the session contacting and meeting with legislators to pass these important, ground breaking bills. 

 

We were successful in getting 12 bills passed and placed on the Governor's desk for signing.

 

Just last week Governor Gregoire was stating that all bills that were eligible to be signed were going to be held hostage until the budget was passed. 

 

Not to be deterred, after an Human Trafficking event this past weekend, I requested all of the attendees to sign a Petition of the People requesting the Governor to please not hold these particular bills hostage which will have a tremendous impact on cracking down on human trafficking. 

 

I delivered that Petition of the People Monday at 1:00 p.m. 

 

Wednesday later in the day, a notification was put out informing us that our bills were going to be signed Thursday at 3:00 p.m.

 

Although, there was short notice, the event had a fairly decent turnout for the signing of the bills.  Following the bill signing, there was a press conference held by the prime sponsors of the legislation where again it was highlighted that Human Trafficking is a high priority in the State of Washington for social legislation.

 

 

Roger Flygare

Candidate for Position 1

State Representative

30th Legislative District

Anti-trafficking movement gaining steam here

By Roger Flygare, FWCAT Co-Director

Last evening, I had the great opportunity to meet the movers and shakers of the Anti-Human Trafficking worldwide movement, Dr. Mar Smith, a local researcher and Business Responsibility Consultant, and David Arkless, President of Corporate and Government Affairs of the Manpower Group at the Palace Ballroom in downtown Seattle. 

After a detailed opening address by Rob McKenna, Attorney General of the State of Washington, regarding the progress of human trafficking laws in Washington State, the crowd was mesmerized by David Arkless’ recount of his interactions with business leaders at the corporate level around the world.

Several years ago, David Arkless began working with international business and government leaders to start a business-facing initiative called End Human Trafficking Now. EHTN provides a code of conduct (the Athens Ethical Principles) and tools for multinational corporations to prevent trafficking.

In 2011, David and Mar forged a partnership between Washington Engage and End Human Trafficking Now.   The culmination of this union was to make great headway by working with business and government leaders to produce the first anti-trafficking businesses tool for small to medium size businesses: Washington BEST Code of Conduct.

Why should local businesses care about human trafficking?

Over the past three years, more prostituted children have been rescued in Seattle than any city in the U.S. Yet studies confirm that law enforcement officers are able to rescue only a fraction of our youth who are sexually exploited for commercial purposes. Children are not the only victims of human trafficking in our state. There are also numerous cases of adults and foreign nationals who are trafficked in Washington State each year and exploited for commercial sex and/or labor. These cases pose serious risks not only to the individuals whose rights are violated but also to our local businesses. Traffickers use businesses to fund and facilitate their crimes.

The Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) Alliance empowers local businesses to take leadership to prevent the crime of human trafficking. By taking a few simple steps, businesses not only protect the youth and the vulnerable in our communities, they protect themselves from the legal, reputational, and financial risks that trafficking poses to local businesses.

Federal Way Coalition Against Trafficking (FWCAT) leaders have taken their motivation from Mar and David to reach out to local businesses to encourage BEST practice guidelines be adhered and they will also be working with local governments to draft ordinances that will have a tremendous impact on human trafficking by requiring licensing and background checks such as recently was authorized in Macon City, Georgia.

If you are interested in joining FWCAT in removing human trafficking from the streets of Federal Way and the rest of our communities of our grand State of Washington, you may contact Roger Flygare by email at RGFlygare@aol.com or Brenda Oliver at brendao@waengage.com.   

FWCAT hosts its monthly meeting at the Boys and Girls Club in Federal Way on the last Tuesday of every month.  Please take the time and engage with us on this important issue.

Another endorsement for Roger

"I have known Roger professionally for seven years now as a court reporter in many matters. He is always very professional, highly competent, friendly, courteous, and a joy to work with. Roger has a long history of service to the community and country behind him, and would make an excellent addition to the legislature in Olympia!"

Robert Allen
Attorney at Law
Tacoma