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March 14, 2025
This week we honored an achievement unlike any other, the award of the 2024 Nobel prize in Chemistry to one of our own local scientists – UW professor David Baker – for his work in computational protein design. David Baker was born in Seattle and graduated from Garfield High School.
On Monday, David Baker spoke at the Nordic Heritage Museum; explaining his lab, the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design, has learned how to build proteins which can be used in medicine, technology and sustainability efforts.
From preventing neurodegenerative diseases and fighting cancer to creating enzymes that can eat plastic to generating artificial photosynthesis, protein design is a tool for solving problems which have previously seemed impossible. Indeed, his lab also made a central contribution to the creation of the COVID-19 vaccine.
David Baker also spoke about the importance of public funding for scientific discovery and research. In his words, without funding new scientists can’t be hired and individual labs can’t complete their work and taken together, “These things can have a long-term negative effect," he said.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray honored his award and echoed his words indicating that she would continue to argue for federal funding for important scientific research.
If you are concerned about continuing federal funding for scientific research, please send your thoughts to Senator Patty Murray here.
If your organization is looking for federal support, Patty Murray’s office is also currently accepting proposals for congressional funding – the deadline is April 1. For more information about submitting a proposal, click here. Proposals may be submitted to this address: appropriations@murray.senate.gov.
By working together, we can solve the problems facing us both locally and globally.
Left to right: Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, King County Councilmember Jorge Baron,
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, Nobel Prize Winner UW Professor David Baker,
King County Councilmember De’Sean Quinn.
The goal of this e-news is to share information about council business, upcoming community events, access to services, opportunities, and ways for us to build an even better King County.
If you have something to share, please do not hesitate to contact me at district5.kingcountycouncil@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.
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Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587 welcomed local community leaders to announce safety improvements.
Left to right: Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, King County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and De’Sean Quinn
and Greg Woodfill, President ATU Local 587.
On Friday March 7, we gathered with Metro transit drivers to announce the first meeting of the Transit Security Task Force which will be March 20. King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci and I joined Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Federal Way Mary Jim Ferrell and Metro General Manager Michelle Allison and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) President Greg Woodfill at the press conference.
The Transit Security Task Force will bring together over forty local leaders responsible for public safety to determine new ways to keep our metro buses safe. Recommendations will be made in late summer.
On Monday, I met with King County’s federal lobbying team regarding federal funding for transportation, public health and emergency management. I also met with staff regarding the Parks Levy proposal currently considered in Budget Committee.
On Tuesday, I met with Metro General Manager Michelle Allison to discuss transit security, funding and operations.
On Wednesday, the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee received a second report on the Executive’s proposed Parks Levy by council staff. The Council will be considering whether to place this proposal on the August ballot for voters’ consideration. You can watch that meeting here.
On Thursday, we received a state legislative update and met with King County Finance Director Ken Guy. I also toured the White Center Teen Program which welcomes teens aged 12-19 years old from cities throughout South King County for baseball, soccer, volleyball, homework help, cooking classes and more.
I briefly joined a volleyball game underway at the White Center Teen Program! Click the image to watch a short video of my moves on the court.
On Friday, my team and I toured parks in District 5 which have received King County investments. More on that next week!
Sincerely,
De’Sean Quinn
King County Councilmember, District 5
Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, Sea-Tac, Tukwila
Holi, a Hindu holiday also known as the Festival of Colors, is on Friday, March 14th
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Register Now for 2025 Summer Camp Fun!
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The City of Tukwila has opened enrollment in Camp Tukwilly, preschool camps, and Teen Venture Camp. Enrollment will be determined initially by an in-person lottery. To enter the lottery, families must complete two forms and turn them in at the Tukwila Community Center’s Ice Cream Social on April 15! Click here for more information.
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Book signing with local author Rachel Friedman March 15
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Compiled from images from the Greater Kent Historical Society, the Museum of History and Industry, and the White River Valley Historical Museum, this book is a visual journey through the rich history of Kent.
Rachel E. Friedland has lived in Kent for over 20 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in history from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, and a certificate in museum studies from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. She has been an educator for five years and a volunteer at the Greater Kent Historical Society.
WHEN: Noon - 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15
WHERE: Kent Historical Museum 855 E. Smith St. Kent, Washington 98030
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King County’s Energize program installs free or reduced-cost heat pumps in eligible homes across South King County. Recently, it expanded to offer services for family home child care and adult family homes, thanks to funding from the state’s Climate Commitment Act.
Heat pumps provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer, while reducing climate pollution. Visit kingcounty.gov/energize to learn more and apply!
Tell the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency what you think
The choices we make today share the air we breathe tomorrow.
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is gathering community input to build a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, and we want your feedback. Join the conversation and learn how to attend an input session within King County: www.pscleanair.gov/workshops.
King County is launching a new county-wide Equitable Development Initiative (EDI)! A King County EDI will consider past policy decisions, historic inequities, and current conditions to improve access to opportunities to the most affected communities and allocate resources and investments to communities at risk of displacement.
King County Council recently allocated $13 million to support King County EDI implementation in 2025. Implementation will include launching a capacity building and capital funding program to support community-driven and community-owned affordable housing and community development projects.
Want to help shape a new King County EDI and ensure this effort successfully meets the needs of communities facing displacement? King County residents are invited to apply to serve on the King County EDI Interim Advisory Board!
To apply go to: https://tinyurl.com/KCEDIboard Application deadline is March 23, 2025 at 11:59pm.
Purim is the evening of Thursday, March 13th to Friday, March 14th
King County Council District 5 – a great place to live and raise a family!
St. Patrick’s Day, the feast of the patron saint of Ireland, is March 17
Thank you for reading our sixth edition of our e-news. Please feel free to contact us and share information you have about your city or neighborhood at district5.kingcountycouncil@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.
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De'Sean Quinn (he/him/his)
King County Councilmember, District 5
(206) 477-1005 Send me an email
www.kingcounty.gov/quinn |
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