My-linh Thai是华州第41选区现任众议员，也是前贝尔维尤学区理事会主席，她是一名医疗保健专业人员，并赢得了PTSA父母大奖，她致力于改善所有华盛顿人的教育，机会和生活质量。My-linh于15岁时作为难民随父母从越南来到美国，她相信美国是一个充满机会的国度，并为希望美国继续成为全世界移民和难民的灯塔。她在新冠大流行期间为民众做了很多工作，希望连任后继续能以公平公正、医疗保健、可承担住房等作为工作的重点。作为亚裔女性，她恪守亚洲的传统文化，并为把华州建设为自己这一辈以及子孙后代热爱的家园而努力。
请听西雅图中文电台的“2020年美国大选特别节目 — 专访华州第41选区众议员My-Linh Thai“
专访华州第41选区众议员My-Linh Thai （2020年10月23日，小元主持，嘉宾：My-Linh Thai，翻译：Rachel Liu）
小元：亲爱的听众朋友们，晚上好。 今天我们非常荣幸地邀请华州众议员My-linh Thai接受我们的采访。My-linh Thai是前贝尔维尤学区总监。她是一名医疗保健专业人员，并赢得了PTSA父母大奖，她致力于改善所有华盛顿人的教育，机会和生活质量。我们非常荣幸能代表My-linh Thai。欢迎来到我们的节目。
My-linh Thai：非常感谢您邀请我。谢谢。
小元：我的第一个问题是，我已经了解到您15岁时与您的家人一起作为难民移民到美国华盛顿州。那么，对于您来说，美国是一个欢迎移民和难民的国家对您来说有多重要？
My-linh Thai：非常感谢您提出的问题。首先，我要向西雅图中文电台的华人观众致敬。我认为您是API亚裔美国人中的一个重要部分，我们的人口在急剧增加。我感谢有机会为华州以及每个将华盛顿称为我们的家的人们提供服务。因此，正如所提出的问题，我是来自越南的难民。1983年，我与家人一起来到这里。那么，对于移民和难民来说，美国是一个欢迎移民和难民的国家，对我来说有多重要？
我15岁那年，我听到父母以及许多家庭成员和朋友的庆祝，祝贺我们能到美国，并在我们离开家时向他们致以最良好的祝愿，但是对于当时是青少年的我，并不十分了解。
我听说我的许多家人仍在越南，他们相信美国这个国家是充满机遇的土地，是一个不仅会给人们第二次建立生活机会的土地，而且这是一个可以张开双臂和拥抱那些将这个地方视为正义之地的人们的国度，并为人们提供比自己更大的机会。
因此，这就是为什么我作为一个来自越南的难民，决定竞选公职并成为比我自己更大的一部分的原因。
至关重要的是，我们的国家要继续保持这样的价值观。美国成为世界各地的每一个难民和移民希望的灯塔，如果您想发起一个创新的想法，而您却无法做到这一点，那么您就没有能力发起新的想法。
但是在美国。这是机会之地。我们将确保您的创新思想有发展的空间。然后，您可以将它带回世界，无论身在何处，并进一步实现梦想。
小元：您曾经是贝尔维尤学区的总监。那么，当您担任Bellevue学区总监时，最大的成就是什么？
My-linh Thai：我认为最大的成就是什么？我可能会说那真的很好。我们中许多人都知道，贝尔维尤（Bellevue）学区在学术成就方面已经出现在地图上。这不仅是在州一级的地图上，而且学区的学术成就都在国家一级的地图上。在我任职学区理事会主席期间，贝尔维尤学区开始在全球范围的地图上出现。
我认为我对贝尔维尤学区整体的贡献是使学区成为倡导我们每个学生的倡导者的形象，并促进与父母和社区的更多参与。
公立学校的许多事情，只有父母和学生对公共教育工作至关重要。我相信整个社区在该领域的声音都很重要，因为与我们的社区一样，人们慷慨并且始终如一地支持贝尔维尤学区，通过纳税和捐款来提供帮助。贝尔维尤学区的服务适用于我们的老师和学生，还有社区的声音，而住在贝尔维尤学区边界内但并没有孩子的人们也同样重要。因此，我要说的是与Bellevue学区的诸多社区进行对话，这让我感到非常自豪。
小元：如果你再次当选的第41选区的州众议员，什么将是你的最高优先级最高的工作？
My-linh Thai：我的首要任务肯定是在公平。对我来说，我认为公平是给予机会并获得这些机会。我想说的很具体。首先是教育。我们已经看到新冠大流行，我们的教育结构正在被疫情从我们的普通教室连根拔起。
学校生活每天都发生了巨大变化。因此，为了支持我们家庭中的学生，我们不仅要确保他们拥有教育成功所需的所有工具，还要确保不仅获得社区的支持，而且还要获得州一级的支持。因此，学生，老师和父母拥有实现经济成功和心理健康所需的所有工具。
我的下一个优先事项是医疗保健。我们已经看到在医疗保健服务和获得医疗保健方面的巨大差异。在新冠大流行期间，它发生在被新冠不为人所知之前。因此，新冠病毒Covid-19大流行会影响所有的人。
我想确保向我们的学生，家庭以及第41选区的居民提供医疗保健服务，尤其是精神健康的保健。
最后但并非最不重要的一点是住房的公平性和可承担。我们认为第41选区是一个富裕区。不幸的是，生活在学区中的许多经历过社会，经济，困难和挑战的人没有被看到也没有被听到。因此，如果我们不对住房和无家可归者这一令人担忧的问题进行更深入的研究，那么我们会在频谱的末端付出代价。
因此，我希望能够成为领先者，并确保在住房方面有投资，使得第41选区的诸多居民可以买得起房子。因此，作为州议员，我的工作优先是在教育，医疗保健和住房。
小元：在这个职位上，与对手相比，您最大的优势是什么？
My-linh Thai：我不知道我的优势是什么。很多人都说，现任就是一种优势。我没有看到这种情况。我想我天生是个好奇的人。我想了解很多。我想听听别人的意见，因为我始终相信我可以向他人（包括我的对手）学习。我想这对我有所帮助。再说一次，作为一个不懂英语就来到这个国家的人，作为一个难民，这意味着我不是衔着金匙出生的人，成为第41选区的州议员，已经是我莫大的荣幸。我要说的是，出于好奇，对知识的开放性和包容性能使人们团结在一起，以便我们能够实现更大的成就。
小元：作为州议员，您将为缓和新冠疫情Covid-19大流行做什么？
My-linh Thai：是的，我做了很多。 2020年是一个繁忙的过程。我所做的其中一项工作是与在华盛顿州设有办事处并负责监督的企业建立联系。大家记得，大流行开始时最大的一件事情是PPE的严重短缺，PPE是个人防护设备，特别是N95口罩，尤其是那些当时为我们一线工作者的医疗服务提供者提供的防护设备，能够建立连接，并确保将这些连接提升到州一级的级别，以便在整个州范围内都可以使用N95面罩。
第二，在我们的办公室，我一直在与许多选民合作，以解决一些积压的失业问题，因为我们遵循全州范围的命令，要呆在家里，保持安全。随着许多企业和州政府机构的关闭，与此同时，我与金县公共卫生部门和全州卫生部门进行了交流，就如何确保及时进行更多测试、使得全州的所有人都可以得到病毒测试。最后但并非最不重要的是，在立法会议结束之前，我被警告许多同事投票要求为该州提供额外资金，以解决新冠病毒Covid-19大流行带来的资金困难。
小元：您有一个幸福的家庭。您有两个孩子，他们两个都曾在Bellevue学区。那您能分享你的家庭价值观吗？
My-linh Thai：好的。我在亚洲文化中长大。首先，我相信来到美国并不是因为奇迹。
我在这里是因为我的祖先，我是我的曾祖父母、祖父母的继续，尽管我没能见到我的那些祖先，但是我正在传承他们的血脉。然后，我将与子孙后代建立这种联系。我的孩子们，我的孙子们，等等。因此，我现在所做的事情确实影响了我的家人，影响了祖先的名字，也影响了我的孩子和子孙后代的生活轨迹。因此，这是我不断教导孩子们的第一个家庭价值观。他们可以有独立的思想。但是无论他们采取何种行动，他们都必须始终记住他么所作的，代表的是我们的家人。
不仅在我们家庭内部，我们在美利坚合众国并不是我们的祖国。无论我们做什么，都反映出我的祖国的价值观以及数千年的文明。我们从中学到了很多。我一直灌输给我的孩子们的其他价值观是，无论我们做什么，都总会带来后果。
我们无论在哪里，采取的任何行动都会造成后果。所以，如果我们给出我们的善良，善良会回来。如果我们提出不好的想法，做了有害的事情，伤害就会回来。换句话说，因果报应。我相信因果报应。我相信这个词总是需要更多的仁慈和同情心。这些是我的家庭价值观。我会坚持下去。
小元：您会对我们华人社区的选民说些什么？
My-linh Thai：是的。在对话开始时，我说我很高兴我们在这里。
我很感谢历史传承，为了争取我的孩子上公立学校的权利，许多华裔美国人都在争取公民权利。正如我也必须回去访问我的祖国越南。努力争取权利，使我们获得自由而无需恐惧，正如我们可以在西雅图的陆荣昌博物馆等地方真正回到并了解华人曾经的抗争。人们的抗争不断进行，我很赞赏亚裔美国人社区争取到现在享有的权利。因此，我感谢华裔美国人所做的一切工作，并使人们从中受益。
因此，为了表达感激之情，我保证会继续进行这项工作。我保证继续为民权和人民生存权而战。因为我们在这里。现在这是我们的第二故乡。我们拥抱它。我们要确保它不仅是我们现在的家，还是我们孩子和子孙后代的家。因此，我感谢华人社区。
如果可以早点投票，请各位提早投票。这是我们真正分享自己并选举代表我们的人的一种方式。谢谢。
小元：非常感谢。因此，我们很荣幸能有华州众议员My-Linh Thai参加我们的节目，并为您的竞选好运、获胜。
My-linh Thai：非常感谢。我再次感谢您有机会与您的听众对话。我希望我能说普通话或任何一种方言。我的公婆要我学习汉语，幸运的是我的孩子们开始学习普通话。但是我还没有那个机会。
小元：很好。非常感谢。
(My-Linh Thai and her family)
(The following the transcript of the interview)
Xiaoyuan: Good evening. audience. We are very honor to have state representative My-linh Thai take the interview. state representative Thai is the former Bellevue school district president. And she is a health care professional and award Winning PTSA as a parent who is committed to improving education, opportunity, and quality of life for all Washingtonians. We are very honor to have representative My-linh Thai. Welcome to our show.
My-linh Thai: Thank you so much for having me. Thank you.
Xiaoyuan: my first question is, I have learned you immigrated to united states and one state as a the vet names refugee with your family when you were 15 years old. So how importantly is it to you that America is a welcome country for immigrants and refugees?
My-linh Thai: Thank you so much for the questions. I first want to extend my hello to the Chinese of Seattle Chinese radio station’s audience. I see you as the big group of API Asian Americans that are significantly increasing in our populations. And I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the state and everyone who call Washington our home. So as the question posed, I am a refugee from Vietnam. I came here with my family in 1983. So how important is it to me that America is a welcome country for immigrants and refugees?
when I was 15, I heard my parents and many of the family members and friends celebrate and congratulate and give us best wishes as we left our home, but for a teenager at the time, I didn’t quite understand the significance.
I heard many of my family who’s still in Vietnam believing that the land of this country is the land of opportunities, is the land that would give people not only a second chance to build their life, but it is a land that would open arms and embrace those who see this place as a place of justice and giving people a chance to be something bigger than and ourselves.
And for that, that is exactly why I decided to run for office and be part of something bigger than myself as a Vietnamese refugee.
It’s critically important that our country continue the values. And the USA beacons of hope for every refugees and immigrants in the world that if you want to start an innovative idea and where you couldn’t do it, you don’t have the capacity to upstart your idea.
Come to America. This is the land of opportunity. And we will make sure that your innovative ideas have place to grow. And then you can take it back out to the world wherever it is and put that dreams further.
Xiaoyuan: you had been the president of Bellevue school district. So what’s the biggest accomplishment when you were the president of Bellevue school district?
My-linh Thai: What would I consider the biggest accomplishment? I would probably say that is really good. I Bellevue school district in the area of academic success, as many of us know, have already on the map. It was not only on the map at the state level, but every school district academic success has been on the map at the national level. And during my term serving a school board director, it started to be on the map in the global level.
What I would consider my contribution to the Bellevue school district as a whole is to bring the image of every school district as an advocate advocating for each and every of our students, and also to push forward more engagement with parents and communities.
Many things that when it’s come to public school, only parents and students matter in the work around public education. I believe that the entire community voice in that space matter because with our community who generously and always so supportive of the Beverly school district by passing many levies and bonds to help. The services are available for our teachers and our students, and so are the community voices, those who live within the Bellevue school district borders who do not have a children in the school district are equally important. So I would say those would be something I’m very proud of, is to engage conversation with at large community in the Bellevue school district.
Xiaoyuan: What will be your highest priority if you’re re-elected as the state representative at the legislative district 41?
My-linh Thai: My highest priority is definitely around the area of equity. For me, how I see equity is to give opportunities and access to these opportunities. And I want to speak very specifically. First and foremost, education. We have seen with the pandemic, our educational structure is being uprooted our normal classrooms.
And everyday school life have changed significantly. So in order to support our students in our family, we want to make sure that not only they have all the tools needed to be successful, but the support not only from the community, but at state level as well. So students, teachers, and parents have all the tools that they needed for both economic success, and of their mental health. That lead to my next priority is health care. We have seen so much disparity in health care services and access to health care. During the pandemic, it happened before it was well hidden. So Covid-19 pandemic is open up for everybody to see.
I want to make sure that health care services, especially in mental health care, would be available to our students, families, and across the 41st legislative district.
Last but not least, is equity and accessibility to housing. We think that the 41st district is an affluent district. Unfortunately, many of the individual who live within the school district that experience social, economic, difficulty, and challenges are not seen and are not heard. So if we are not take a look deeper into this very concerning as far as housing and homelessness, we will only have to pay for it at the end of the spectrum.
And so I wanted to be able to be in front of it and making sure that there are investment into housing. Affordable housing are too many of the community members who live in the 41st district.
So education, health care, and housing on the phone.
Xiaoyuan: what’s your biggest advantage over your opponent on this position?
My-linh Thai: I don’t know about the advantage. I think a lot of people say being an incumbent is an advantage. I have not seen that as the case. I think I am naturally a curious person. I want to understand a lot. And I wanted to listen to people because I always believe that I can learn something from others, including my opponent. I would say that has been helpful for me. Again, as somebody who came to this country without a word of English, as a refugee, which means we didn’t have the luxury of packing, anything with us leading to an honor to serve as a state representative in the 41st legislative district? I would say, due to the curiosity, the openness to learned and really is a sense of being inclusive, bringing people together so that we can make big things happen.
Xiaoyuan: What will you do for the Covid-19 pandemic as a state representative?
My-linh Thai: Yes, I have done quite a bit. It has been a busy procession in 2020. One of the pieces I have done was to connect with business who has office both here in Washington and oversee. The biggest piece at the beginning of the pandemic, as you remember, was a significant shortage of PPE which is proportional protective equipment specifically N95 mask, as especially those supplies for the healthcare providers who are the frontline worker for us during that time, I was able to make that connections and making sure that those connections are elevated to the state level so that supply for N95 mask was made available across the state.
Secondly, I our office, I have been working with many of the constituents to resolve some of the unemployment backlog as we follow the statewide order stay home, stay safe. And the closure of many of the businesses and state government agencies and parallel with that, I was engaged with both the King County public health and the statewide department of health to engage in conversations of how we could make sure that there are more testing, timely, probably available to everyone in the state. Last but not least before the end of legislative sessions, I was warned many of my colleague voting for additional funding specifically for the state to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
Xiaoyuan: you have a happy family. You have two children and both of them had been in Bellevue school district. So can you share your family values?
My-linh Thai: Absolutely. I am raised deeply in Asian culture. First of all, I believe that I’m not here by some magic.
I’m here because of my ancestors. I am the continuing of my parents, my great grandparents. And those are before that, I have not had the privilege to meet. But I’m carrying their blood. And then I would create that connection with the future generations. My children, my grandchildren, and many more after that. So what I do now really impacts the name of my family, of my ancestor, and also impact the trajectory of what my children and the future generation will carry. So that is the first family value that I continuously teaching my children. That they can have an independent thinking. But whatever choice of action that they do, they need to always remember it reflect are our family.
And not only within our family, it we are here in the United States of America is not our motherland. Whatever we do reflect on the values of our motherland to of who we come from and thousands of years of civilization. We learned a lot from that. And other values that I have been instilling in my children is that whatever we do, there’s always consequence to it.
There’s no single actions that we put out there that would not have a consequence to it. So if we put our kindness, kindness will come back. If we put out the thought, ideal actions that are that would be hurtful would come back. In another word, karma. And I believe in karma. I believe that the word need always more kindness and compassion. Those are our family values. And we stuck with it.
Xiaoyuan: what will you say something to the voters in the Chinese community.
My-linh Thai: Yes. As at the beginning of this conversation, I am grateful that we are here.
I’m grateful for the history. Many of Chinese Americans who have done in term of civil rights fighting so that my children can be in public school. So that I have to go back and visit my home country Vietnam. A key to be free without fear, so that we have places like the Wing Luke museum in Seattle, to really come back to and understand the fight. And the struggle goes and to appreciate the right that the Asian American community get to enjoy now. So I am grateful for you for all the work that the Chinese American community have done and I get to benefit.
So in order to reflect that gratitude, I promise to continue that work. I promise to continue the fight for civil rights, for the right of the people to exist. Because we are here. This is now our second home. We embrace it. We want to make sure it’s not only the home for us right now, it is the home for our children and future generation. So for that, I thank you, the Chinese community.
And please vote if you can vote early. it is a way for us to really share who we are and elect the people who represent us. Thank you.
Xiaoyuan: thank you so much. So we are really honor to have state representative to be on our show and good luck for your election campaign.
My-linh Thai: I thank you so much. I thank you again for this opportunity to speak to your audience. I do wish I can speak in mandarin or any of the dialect. my in-law has asked me to learn, and luckily my children get to learn Mandarin. But I did not have that opportunity.
Xiaoyuan: Nice. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thanks. Bye bye. thank you.
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