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LOS ANGELES – California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus State Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month:

“On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we are proud to join all Americans in celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and cherishing the vast diversity of our unique community that exists only in America.

“As one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in the United States, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has been a crucial partner in weaving the fabric of modern America for more than a century and a half. Even today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to break barriers.

“In the last four years, under the Obama administration, we’ve accomplished historic achievements benefiting the AAPI community, including:

• The most AAPIs serving as Cabinet secretaries in U.S. history, including Energy Secretary Steven Chu, former Commerce Secretary and current Ambassador to China Gary Locke, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki;
• The nomination of more AAPIs to the federal bench than any other administration;
• Tax relief to 7.6 million AAPI workers via the payroll tax cut;
• The passage of several tax cuts to help small businesses grow, including 1.5 AAPI-owned small businesses;
• The creation of 4.1 million private sector jobs in the past 25 months;
• Increasing the accessibility and affordability of health care to AAPI families and expanding preventive care to 3 million AAPIs;
• Making college more affordable, with efforts to prevent student loan increase for nearly 335,000 AAPI students;
• The historic election of Rep. Judy Chu, the first Chinese American woman ever elected to Congress, currently Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

“As we move forward during this critical year, we must work hard together to safeguard the progress we’ve made in the last few years. This May, we ask the California AAPI community to join the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus and stand together behind President Barack Obama.

“Together, we can further strengthen the AAPI community. And together, we can continue to help President Obama in putting America back on track.”

LOS ANGELES – California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the 20th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Riots:

“On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we remember the how far Los Angeles has come since April 29, 1992, ‘Sai-I-Gu’, one of the most destructive civil unrests in history, during which crimes and violence ravaged rampantly through the streets of Koreatown and South Central neighborhoods, flames engulfed small shops and office buildings alike, helpless store owners defended against vicious looters, and vulnerable residents devastated by fear.

“The Los Angeles Riots was a defining moment in the historic transformation of Southern California. As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Riots, we cherish the resilience of our diverse neighborhoods that have rebirthed Los Angeles block by block, from the ashes of the Riot to the vibrant multicultural community today. We see the effects of proactive leadership of Angelenos and our leaders who have worked hard to restore and maintain harmony. We have seen the change in the relations between law enforcement and the community. This wasn’t easy, and there is more to be done.

“Diversity is the strength of Los Angeles and is the strength of California. We must continue to strive for racial tolerance, embrace diversity, and fight for economic, social, and civil justice and equality for all Californians so the events of 1992 do not repeat anywhere in any neighborhood.

“We can all get along if we all stand together, work together, and fight together for our common future. This is California, and this is our home.”

LOS ANGELES – California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the 2012 Holocaust Remembrance Day:

“On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we solemnly remember all the women, men, and children from all walks of life who perished during one of the darkest times in human history. Discrimination, prejudice, and hatred have no place in America and have no place anywhere.

“California is one of the most diverse places on earth. As we treasure our vibrant diversity in the Golden State, we must not forget the lessons of history and make sure that such tragedy and injustice does not repeat in any corner of our community, in any form, and on any scale. We must continue to work hard to embrace diversity, promote tolerance, and fight for equality and justice for all.”

Join the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus (CDP API Caucus) at the 2012 California Democrats State Convention in San Diego as California Democrats kick off the 2012 election cycle that will see us take back the House, protect our U.S. Senate seat and return President Obama to the White House.

2012 California Democrats State Convention
Friday – Sunday, February 10 – 12, 2012
San Diego Convention Center
Click here to visit the official California Democratic Party Convention website.

Party endorsements for statewide, State Assembly, State Senate and Congressional candidates will take place along with the adoption of the Party platform.

Caucus Meeting at the Convention
The CDP API Caucus Meeting at the Convention will be held on Friday, February 10, 2012, from 4:00 PM to 5:45 PM at the San Diego Bayfront Hilton – Room Indigo 202A, adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center. Click here to download the CDP API Caucus Meeting Agenda (revised with updated reception information). If you would like to join the CDP API Caucus or to renew your Caucus membership prior to the Convention, please click here to visit the Caucus Membership page.

Caucus Reception at the Convention (Note: Location Change)
Additionally, please join our Caucus and our co-hosts for a Convention Reception on Friday, February 10, 2012, from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Hotel Solamar, Luna Loft (435 6th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101). Please click here to download the CDP API Caucus Convention Reception Invitation.

LOS ANGELES – California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Clark Lee released the following statement commemorating the 2012 Korean American Day:

“On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we celebrate the 2012 Korean American Day and commemorate more than one century of Korean American successes and contributions to the United States.

“Korean American history and culture are an inseparable part of the American fabric. As the most diverse state of the Union, California is home to the largest concentration of ethnic Koreans outside of Korea, where the story of every Korean American is a story of the American Dream.

“The accomplishments and the successes of the Korean American community in California and across the United States are a testament of the vibrancy and the resilience of the immigrant communities that have been the backbone of America.”

The CDP API Caucus Leadership Team has been working hard up and down the state with Caucus members and allied organizations during the 2011-2012 Year to improve internal Caucus operations, elect Democrats to public offices, and register Democrats, according to the CDP API Caucus Goals & Action Items set forth in July 2011.

Click here to download the CDP API Caucus 2011-2012 Goals & Action Items.

Below are the accomplishments in the last year, as presented at the 2012 California Democrats State Convention in San Diego.

Click here to download the CDP API Caucus Accomplishments: Year-in-Review.

• Communications
  • Updated Caucus website with up-to-date information as an information hub – http://www.apicaucus.com
  • Began active media outreach as a Caucus for the first time in recent years, including releasing statements and press releases on significant issues and events affecting API community, such as holding Michigan GOP Senatorial candidate Pete Hoekstra and then-Nevada GOP Congressional candidate Mark Amodei accountable for their racially charged ads
  • Working closely with the CDP Communications Dept. and Organizing for America-California (OFA-CA) on targeted messaging projects
  • Nearly doubled Caucus electronic newsletter subscribers since last year
  • Continued Caucus electronic newsletter – please sign up at cademparty.apicaucus@gmail.com

• Elections & Campaigns
  • Mobilized for Janice Hahn for Congress against Tea Party Republican Craig Huey during Special Election with allied API Democratic groups, such as the CDP Filipino American Caucus, Korean American Democratic Committee (KADC), Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD), and Asian Pacific Islander Democrats of Orange County (APIDOC)
  • Mobilized for Warren Furutani for Los Angeles City Council during Special Election with allied API Democratic and labor groups, such as Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), CDP Filipino American Caucus, APIDOC, KADC, PALAD
  • Encouraged local API candidates to seek County Democratic Party endorsement

• Outreach – Community & Voter
  • Mobilized for CDP “Operation Game Changer” in Los Angeles County to sign up Democrats as permanent vote-by-mail (PVBM) voters
  • Mobilized for CDP “It Gets Bluer” Program in the Inland Empire to increase Democratic voter registration in traditionally red counties
  • Registered new citizens to vote at naturalization ceremonies (ongoing project)
  • Held preliminary API grassroots leaders meeting with OFA-CA leadership on 2012 API outreach, with subsequent follow-up meetings with OFA-CA on targeted media/community outreach
  • Promoting CDP DEM2012 Program to help sustain CDP through grassroots action – http://www.cadem.org/dem2012
  • Hosted/hosting receptions in Anaheim, Burlingame, and San Diego with various co-hosts, such as the CDP Filipino American Caucus, CYD API Caucus, Filipinos for Obama, KADC, Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club, and many elected officials and candidates
  • Building statewide API speakers bureau program with surrogate speakers for community and media outreach (Please sign up if you are interested: email cademparty.apicaucus@gmail.com)

• Membership
  • Streamlined membership sign-up opportunities, including online sign-ups on Caucus website
  • Adjusted membership fee structure to allow for a lower rate for seniors and students and to accommodate CDP administrative procedural changes on membership fees

• Administration
  • Holding monthly Caucus Board conference calls to increase communication/accountability among board members
  • Established 2011-2013 Goals and Action Items for the current term

Tuesday, July 12, 2011, is the Special General Election for Congressional District 36 in Los Angeles. Democratic elected officials, leaders, and activists are united behind Janice Hahn to make sure that we keep this seat in the hands of an outstanding Democratic leader who will fight for the needs and values of this district.

Make no mistake: the Tea Party Republicans are eyeing this special election as an opportunity to capture another seat in Congress to advance their extremist agenda. Most importantly, Hahn’s Republican opponent spent more than half-million dollars to get him into the general election. We can’t let another Republican buy his way into public office.

Contact the Janice Hahn for Congress campaign today and sign up to help put Janice in Congress!

Janice Hahn for Congress
2513 Pacific Coast Highway
Torrance, CA 90717
323.338.4441
www.JaniceHahn.com
Volunteer Sign-Up: mike@janicehahn.com

Phonebanking:
Mondays – Fridays: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Precinct Walking:
Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sundays: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

If you are not in Los Angeles area but would like to help, you can click here to phone bank online! Please click here for instructions.

Join Us:

Asian Pacific Islander Volunteer Mobilization Day Janice Hahn for Congress

Saturday, July 2, 2011
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Asian Pacific Islander Media availability at 12:30 PM

Janice Hahn Campaign Headquarters
2513 Pacific Coast Highway
Torrance, CA 90717

Click here to download flyer

Contact and RSVP: Melissa Ramoso, CDP API Caucus Southern Outreach Chair
Click Here to Email Melissa / 562.353.7075

LOS ANGELES – California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on Assembly Member and California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Chair Warren Furutani’s Immigrant Rights Champion award on the 15th Annual Immigrant Day:

“On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we congratulate Assembly Member and California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Chair Warren Furutani in receiving the Immigrant Rights Champion award on the 15th Annual Immigrant Day.

“Assembly Member Furutani has been a leader in standing up for immigrant rights and minority advocacy for decades: as grassroots activist, community fighter, education leader, and elected official. He understands the challenges that the immigrant communities face and recognizes the extraordinary contributions that the immigrant communities provide to our state.

“The vibrant immigrant communities are the backbone of our state. As we celebrate Immigrant Day, we celebrate the strength of diversity that unite us. Let us continue to work together to stand up for immigrant rights and for all working families in California who toil day after day in building our Golden State.”

LOS ANGELES – California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the Senate Republican filibuster of Goodwin Liu’s nomination to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals:

“The Senate Republicans’ filibuster of Goodwin Liu’s nomination to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals today is a blatant disregard for fairness, equality, and diversity. The Republicans’ continued partisan attacks to mischaracterize Liu, a highly-regarded Asian American legal scholar with the highest possible rating by the American Bar Association, through the entire nomination process are pure partisan political ploys. Their scheme is not only a setback for Asian American civic participation and representation on the federal bench; it is an undermining of the American democratic process.”

LOS ANGELES – California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus State Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:

“This May, as we commemorate the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, let us celebrate the achievements and the contributions of the Asian Pacific American community and embrace the diversity of our community.

“As one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in the United States, the Asian Pacific American community has a rich and complex history. For more than a century and a half, the Asian Americans have been a crucial partner in weaving the fabric of modern America. Even so, Asian Americans continue to break barriers while facing many challenges today.

“The strength of the Asian Pacific American community lies in its unique and vibrant diversity. As we continue our achievements and progress in the twenty-first century, let us embrace our legacy and the diversity of our community as we work to strengthen our nation together.

“On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we are proud to join all Americans in celebrating the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.”