Daphne Kwok

By DAPHNE KWOK

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 2, 2012) — In 1990, Congress voted to have the month of May designated as Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

That means that for the past twenty two years, the accomplishments, the tragedies, and the triumphs of this vibrant and diverse community have been recognized as essential to the identity of this great nation.  As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month turns 22, it is an opportunity for us all to reflect on other notable milestones that define our past, informed our present, and will shape our future.

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By Francesca L. Covey

WASHINGTON (April 25, 2012) — The President on Wednesday delivered remarks at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and continued his call for Congress to stop interest rates on student loans from doubling in July.

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WASHINGTON (April 10, 2012) — The nation’s top foundations on April 2, pledged an initial $1 million as the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders convened its first National Philanthropic Briefing to draw attention to this fastest growing racial group in the country.

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By Toby Chaudhuri

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 13, 2012) — The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders has provided details about President Barack Obama’s 2013 budget that was sent to Congress Monday creates security for Asian American and Pacific Islander families.

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By Kiran Ahuja

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 25, 2011) — With the introduction of the President’s American Jobs Act, I am reminded of the critical role nonprofits play in rebuilding our economy.

For the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, we know that small businesses and community organizations play a significant role in this effort, whether providing housing counseling and servicing community health clinics or hiring our long-term unemployed and providing important training and language assistance to transition AAPIs into 21st century jobs.  To support these groups in the critical work that they do, we recently created a Guide to Federal Agency Resources to provide vital information on federal grants and programs.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 14, 2011) — Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and U.S. Secretary Janet Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security held a recent meeting to discuss issues of critical concern to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

CAPAC Chair Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA- 32) said the meeting was an important first for the caucus. She said nearly 60 percent of all Asian Americans are foreign born, and immigration issues are a top priority.

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President Barack Obama meets with members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Sept. 23, 2011.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

By KIRAN AHUJA
Executive Director,
White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders 

Washington D.C. (Sept. 27, 2011) — As Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, I joined President Obama and several senior White House officials at a meeting with members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus last week. The meeting, held in the Cabinet Room at the White House, was a chance for the President and the Caucus members to discuss important issues facing AAPI communities.

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WASHINGTON (Sept. 7, 2011) — Members of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders join all Americans in remembering and honoring those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

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Do you want to start your own business?  Are you the victim of racial discrimination?  Is your son or daughter getting bullied at school?  Are you in a situation that might warrant federal government help?

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SEARAC Interns (from L-R), Cherry Lim, Casey Tran, and Koua Xiong, at the APIASF Higher Education Summit Reception, co-hosted by SEARAC and OCA, in honor of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Washington, D.C. – The Southeast Asia Resource Action Center staff attended the 2011 APIASF Higher Education Summit last week, where SEARAC co-hosted a reception recognizing the work of the White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders with Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund and the Organization of Chinese Americans.

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