California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus

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.”

Friend –

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Obama are hopping on the phone on Tuesday — and you should join us.

It’s your chance to learn more about the unique role AAPIs will play in helping President Obama win in November, what you can do as a member of our community, and the best way to bring your friends and family into this organization.

We’ll be joined by some very special guests: President Obama’s sister Maya Soetoro-Ng, his brother-in-law Konrad Ng, and AAPI campaign leadership.

Don’t miss it — RSVP for the call on Tuesday, May 1st at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time / 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

After you RSVP, we’ll send you a confirmation email with the info you’ll need to join.

May is AAPI Heritage Month, so it’s the perfect time to get involved.

We know the President is looking out for our community — from investing in AAPI-owned small businesses, to passing the payroll tax cut to help out working families, to increasing access to affordable health care.

It’s on to us to make sure other AAPIs know about these accomplishments — and are fired up for the fight to protect them.

Sign up to join the AAPIs for Obama call on Tuesday here:

http://my.barackobama.com/AAPIs-for-Obama-Conference-Call

Thanks, and talk to you soon,

Alissa

Alissa Ko
National AAPI Vote Director
Obama for America

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.”

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 – 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 – 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

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.

Click here to sign petition: Tell the Republican National Committee to renounce Pete Hoekstra’s Super Bowl ad!

LOS ANGELES - California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on the xenophobic and racist ad by Michigan Senatorial candidate Pete Hoekstra aired during the 2012 Super Bowl:

“The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus strongly condemns Michigan Senatorial candidate Pete Hoekstra’s racially insensitive and xenophobic ad that shocked Michigan during the Super Bowl. This attempt to frighten Michigan voters with racially insensitive images and scare tactics is unwarranted and despicable. The use of discriminatory depictions and language has no place in this campaign and no place in America. No candidate should ever use racist tactics to score political points.

“Mr. Hoekstra’s ad begins with the sound of a gong. It features an Asian woman with a bicycle on a pathway in rice paddies, speaking English with an accent, proclaiming, ‘Thank you, Michigan Senator Debbie Spenditnow. Debbie spends so much American money. You borrow more and more from us. Your economy get very weak. Ours get very good. We take your jobs. Thank you, Debbie Spenditnow.’

“Anti-Chinese and anti-Asian sentiments in America have had devastating consequences throughout U.S. history, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Japanese American internment in World War II, the senseless murder of Detroit autoworker Vincent Chin during the U.S. auto crisis nearly 30 years ago, and the recent hazing of Asian American soldiers in the U.S. military that resulted in fatal tragedies. We do not need another inflammatory ad like Mr. Hoekstra’s to perpetuate xenophobia, discrimination, and racism against Asian Americans.

“The truth is: this is not the first time that a Republican candidate running for federal legislative office has invoked such despicable and offensive scare tactic. Just last year, GOP Congressional candidate Mark Amodei of Nevada released an ad featuring a fictional Chinese newscast depicting the Chinese army marching through Washington with a Chinese flag flying over the U.S. Capitol. We urge the Republican National Committee to investigate these discriminatory behaviors by its own candidates and to make sure that this type of campaign tactic does not repeat again – not now, not ever.

“The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus demands that Pete Hoekstra immediately remove this ad from his website and from circulation. We urge the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee to join us and denounce this ad. Most importantly, we demand Mr. Hoekstra issue an apology to the people of Michigan and the Asian American community.”

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