FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                

October 20, 2005

CONTACTS:

Erik Wang                                                                                

202-482-3949

ewang@aapi.gov

Grace Niwa

646-644-5799

grace@niwapr.com

PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS

VISITS SAN FRANCISCO’S BAY AREA

The Commission conducts an Official Public Meeting and Site Visits

Washington, DC – (October 20, 2005) – The President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders arrived in Oakland, CA for a Public Meeting and to conduct Site visits throughout the Asian American communities in the San Francisco’s Bay Area from October 18-20^th. The Public Meeting was scheduled on October 19^th at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center located at 388 Ninth Street from 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

The Public Meeting began with presentations from Federal Regional Council Members (FRC) headed by Calise Munoz, Chair, FRC and followed with an introduction and discussion of the Commission’s Strategic Plan by Commissioners Rudy Pamintuan and Nina Nguyen Collier. The highlight of the Public Meeting was the presentation of the Draft Report to the President by Commissioner Ken Wong. The Nakamoto Group, Sally Gentille, Anita Lee and Tuei Doong participated in deliberating with the Commission. The Public Meeting provided the media and San Francisco’s APA community members the opportunity to listen in and provide comments and feedback.

On October 20^th, the Commission conducted a site visit in San Jose, California.  Commissioner’s participated in two Community Roundtable Meetings hosted by Vision New America and the Pacific Islander Council of Leaders.  Many AAPI Organizations participated in each roundtable to share with the Commission what programs and services their organization was providing to the AAPI community.  The Commissioners also met with Comcast to discuss their corporate diversity efforts.  The Commission previously conducted site visits and technical assistance forums in Philadelphia, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Raleigh, Chicago and New York with the goal of gathering information for their Report and Recommendations to the President on improving economic and community development opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). 

“We are thankful for the warm welcome from the Asian community in the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Commissioner Kenneth Wong, Chair of the Reports and Recommendation's Subcommittee.  “Our goal is to showcase the Draft Report to the President and discuss the success stories in AAPI communities. We want the San Francisco AAPI community to know the Commission and President Bush are behind them and that their comments and feedback on the report has been most helpful in helping us provide a detailed report to the President.” 

ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON AAPIs

The President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders was established by Executive Order 13339 signed by President George W. Bush on May 13, 2004 furthering his commitment by providing equal economic opportunities for full participation of Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses in our free market economy where they may be underserved, thus improving the quality of life for 14.5 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

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