Gary King with members of the Cultural Society of Filipino Americans, including William Tigue, Elsa Javines Batica, Ligaya Carlos, Fernando Oconer, Antoinette Fugen Burkhart, Maryjane Ungemach, Carla Murdock, Willen Agdan Korkowski, and Gary Alexander Rios Paz. (Contributed photo)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (May 4, 2012) — The State Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans held its annual Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month Dinner Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Barack Obama on April 26, 2012 named the late Gordon Hirabayashi as one of 13 recipients of this year’s Presidential Medal of Freedom awards. It is the nation’s highest civilian honor presented to Hirabayashi, who passed away earlier this year on Jan. 2.

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From left, Rep. Bruce Anderson, Chief Legislative Author with Khmer Freedom Fighters. (Photo by J. Lee)

By J. Lee
ST. PAUL (April 26, 2012) — The Minnesota legislature passed a Resolution honoring Cambodian veterans who fought in support of the United States in the War in Southeast Asia.

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MINNEAPOLIS (April 19, 2012) — The Humphrey School of Public Affairs will honor MayKao Hang, president and CEO of the Wilder Foundation, with the Alumni Leadership Award for her commitment to the provision and delivery of critical health and social welfare services and the strengthening of local communities.

“Through her work at the Wilder Foundation and in the community, Maykao Hang is setting a standard for a new generation of young leaders who are delivering critical health and social welfare services and offering the prospect of a brighter future for people of Minnesota,” says Humphrey School Dean Eric Schwartz.

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Bernarda Wong

Washington, D.C (March 27, 2012) — The White House honored Bernarda Wong on Thursday as one of ten leaders being recognized as Champions of Change who, like Cesar Chavez, have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of others throughout their community and across the Nation.

One of our Nation’s great civil rights leaders, Cesar Estrada Chavez came of age as a migrant farm worker, witnessing the injustice that pervaded fields and vineyards across California.  Yet amidst hardship and abuse, Cesar Chavez saw the promise of change — the unlimited potential of a community organized around a common purpose.

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Piyush Pandey, executive chairman, Ogilvy & Mather India, to receive 2012 CLIO Lifetime Achievement Award.

NEW YORK (March 20, 2012) — The CLIO Awards, one of the world’s most recognized awards competitions honoring excellence in advertising, design and communications, today named Piyush Pandey as the recipient of the 2012 CLIO Lifetime Achievement Award.

Pandey, the Executive Chairman and Creative Director of South Asia for Ogilvy & Mather India, will be the first person from the region to receive the distinction. With a prolific advertising career spanning three decades, Pandey is often revered as “the godfather of Indian advertising” by peers.  He will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd annual CLIO Awards ceremony, taking place on Tuesday, May 15th at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

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“The Descendants” author Kaui Hart Hemmings , left, is presented a proclamation from Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho at a pre-Academy Award event Thursday in Los Angeles. (Contribed photos)

LIHU‘E, Kaua‘i (Feb. 23, 2012) — Inspired by the artistic triumph of The Descendants in literature and film, Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., on Thursday honored author Kaui Hart Hemmings at a special media reception hosted by the County of Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau in Los Angeles.

Mayor Carvalho presented Ms. Hemmings with a proclamation from the County of Kaua‘i recognizing the achievement of her best-selling novel that has been adapted into the critically acclaimed and award-winning film of the same title.

Mayor Carvalho commented, “This is such a beautiful story and authentically depicts life in Hawai‘i. We know that the film adaptation will not only generate more interest in Kaua‘i as a vacation destination, but it will promote greater understanding of our unique culture and experience.”

The Descendants is nominated for five Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (George Clooney), Best Director (Alexander Payne), Film Editing, and Adapted Screenplay, with the Oscars being presented February 26. The movie has already won the Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture and Best Actor, as well as the Writers Guild of America Award for Adapted Screenplay.

KVB hosted the reception for travel, entertainment and consumer media in California to promote Kaua‘i’s magnificent natural beauty, which is at the center of the movie’s storyline. Unspoiled Kipu Kai on the island’s south shore is shown as the huge parcel of spectacular oceanfront land being contemplated for sale by Matt King (George Clooney).

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ST. PAUL (Jan. 31, 2012) — The Minnesota Trade Office is accepting nominations for the 27th Annual Governor’s International Trade Awards, which honor Minnesota companies that have excelled in the international marketplace.

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The Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans is currently seeking a diverse collection of nomination submissions for its 2012 Annual Leadership Awards.

This is the time for community members to nominate and recognize one of their own. Please help to honor an outstanding business owner, leader, organization, volunteer who has given themselves, their talents and resources to serve and better the Asian-Pacific community.

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Washington, D.C. (Jan. 19, 2012) — The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum’s Policy Director, Priscilla Huang and Policy Analyst, Paulo Pontemayor received the Families USA’s inaugural Health Equity Advocate Award Thursday during the Families USA Health Action 2012 conference, in recognition of their commitment and advocacy toward achieving health equity for all.

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