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The City of Seattle
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A resolution providing an honorary designation of South King Street between 6th Avenue South and Maynard Avenue South as “Bruce Lee Way.”
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Recitals:
Bruce Lee resided in Seattle from 1959 to 1964, a formative period during which he refined his martial arts practice and began developing the philosophical foundations that would later evolve into Jun Fan Gung Fu, Jeet Kune Do, and eventually be known as Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do.
Seattle is the city where Bruce Lee established his first formal martial arts school in the Chinatown-International District, sharing his knowledge with the local community and teaching youth groups, including members of the Chinese community and Chinese Boy Scouts.
Bruce Lee attended the University of Washington in Seattle, where he studied philosophy and further shaped ideas on self-expression, efficiency, and personal freedom that would become central to his martial arts teachings.
Seattle is where Bruce Lee began teaching many of his earliest and most dedicated students, including his best friend and his most senior student, Taky Kimura, helping establish the foundation of his teaching legacy in America and throughout the world.
Bruce Lee’s time in Seattle marked the beginning of his journey as a professional martial arts instructor, where he first openly taught students of diverse backgrounds, breaking cultural barriers in martial arts instruction.
The Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute, founded by Bruce Lee in Seattle, became the birthplace of his early teaching method, emphasizing directness, simplicity, and practical application in combat.
Bruce Lee’s years in Seattle played a pivotal role in shaping his lifelong mission to unite martial arts with philosophy, personal growth, and self-discovery-principles that continue to influence martial arts, philosophy, music, art, dance, and film around the world today.
Members of the Chinatown-International District community, including business owners, residents, and cultural organizations, have called for recognition of Bruce Lee’s years in Seattle and the contributions he made here that have resonated around the world.
This Honorary Street designation seeks to recognize Bruce Lee’s legacy, encouraging individuals to pursue self-expression, discipline, and the realization of their fullest potential. Therefore,
Be it resolved by the City Council of The City of Seattle, the Mayor concurring:
Section 1. South King Street between 6th Avenue South and Maynard Avenue South shall have an honorary designation as “Bruce Lee Way.”
Section 2. The Council requests that the Seattle Department of Transportation manufacture, install, and maintain honorary signs at the locations and intersections above that reflect the “Bruce Lee Way” honorary designation.
Adopted by the City Council and signed in open session in authentication of its adoption on .
President of the City Council
Signed in concurrence on .
Katie B. Wilson, Mayor
Attested on .
Lenné Dedman, City Clerk
Seal