Clinton Invites Locke To White House Party

Washington Gov. Gary Locke, the country’s first Chinese-American governor, will attend the White House dinner for visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin Wednesday evening.

Locke, who met with Jiang in Beijing earlier this month, was invited to the event by President Clinton, a fellow Democrat who made note of Locke’s roots in his State of the Union Address this year.

Locke’s wife, Mona, will also attend. Like her husband, she is the child of Chinese immigrants.

Locke spokeswoman Marylou Flynn said the Lockes will pay for Mona Locke’s expenses.