APAPA - Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association

APAPA National joined National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, and others in strongly urging Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries to vote “no” on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE Act), HR 22. This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. This would also eliminate many of the most popular and accessible methods of voter registration, including mail-in registration and online registration. It would also effectively end voter registration drives since community volunteers would not be able to assess documents being used under the new proof of citizenship requirements. Finally, the SAVE Act provides no safeguards to guarantee that citizens who are lawfully registered to vote will not be disenfranchised. Studies indicate that more than 21 million across the country are unable to access such citizenship documents. As reports have pointed out, roughly half of U.S. citizens do not have a passport. Additionally, for women who changed their name after marriage and do not have a passport, they will likely have a photo ID with a legal name that does not match the name on their birth certificate – meaning their options for proving citizenship is greatly diminished. The bill places an onerous burden on every citizen who needs to register or re-register (due to changing addresses, name change or change in party affiliation) by requiring documentary proof of their citizenship. Voter registration drives are a crucial way AAPI organizations connect with their communities and mobilize them to vote. Countless tens of thousands of volunteer hours have been spent at senior centers, health and community centers, cultural festivals, high schools and college, educating community members about the importance of civic participation and registering them to vote. Instead of proceeding with this harmful bill, Congress must take actions that will strengthen our elections and ensure that all eligible voters have access to the ballot box. View the bill here: https://lnkd.in/geS3ki6e

APAPA National Board Chair Joe Johal, APAPA National Board Vice-Chair Paul Hsu, APAPA COO Marilyn Cachola Lucey, M.A., APAPA Intern Hana Seidner and many other leaders attended Stop AAPI Hate's Legislative Reception! It was great to be in community with Stop AAPI Hate Founders, Cynthia Choi, and Manjusha P. Kulkarni, and hear from speakers about the impact to our communities of the EO to end birthright citizenship including CA AAPILC Chair Assemblymember Mike Fong, Assemblymember Alex Lee, Assemblymember Matt Haney, and CA APIA Commission ED Khydeeja Alam. Especially poignant, we heard from the descendant of the plaintiff in US vs Wong Kim Ark. This was the first Supreme Court case to decide on the status of children born in the United States to alien parents, making such children U.S citizens at birth. This decision established an important precedent in its interpretation of the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. We appreciate Stop AAPI Hate's efforts and are even more excited for Stop AAPI Hate co-founding partner Andy Wong to host a training session at the CA AANHPI Advocacy Day on April 28th! Join the CA AANHPI Coalition Advocacy Day to make sure your voices are heard! REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gQebygcd

?? Join us on April 28th, 2025, for the CA AANHPI Advocacy Day at the California State Capitol! ?? Over 50 API organizations participated in the 2024 California AANHPI Advocacy Day, in Sacramento on May 29th, 2024! Our coalition reached half of the California State Legislature in one day, advocating for SB 1078 (Min) Office of Language Access, AB 2979 (Mike Fong) Income Taxation, and SB 782 (Limon) Gubernatorial Appointments. This year, our coalition is expanding plan with more participating organizations from across the state and 200+ attendees to host the 2025 California AANHPI Advocacy Day! This day is all about uniting and advocating for the issues that matter most to our communities. Together, we’ll meet with legislators, hear from API leaders, and share our voices on the bills impacting our future. It's time to show the power of our collective action! ????? We are Pacific Islander. We are Southeast Asian. We are South Asian. We are East Asian. We are AANHPI. Together, we rise. ? ??? When: April 28, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM ?? Where: Stanley Mosk Library, California State Capitol at 10am ?? REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gQebygcd Complimentary registration, program, lunch, training, and reception for all participating organizations. Email [email protected] for any questions! #AANHPI #APIAdvocacyDay #APIUnity #TogetherWeRise #LegislativePower #APICommunity #PacificIslanderRepresentation #SoutheastAsianVoices #APIAction #GrassrootsPower

Congratulations to one of APAPA's women leaders and liaison for the APAPA-Government Appointments Committee, Jacqui Nguyen as the new Solano Community College Governing Board member! Trustee Nguyen’s appointment marks a historic moment as she becomes the first Vietnamese American trustee to serve on Solano Community College’s Governing Board. Nguyen represents Area 7, which includes Dixon, Winters and part of Vacaville. Nguyen's professional journey reflects a deep dedication to education, public service and her community. From her beginnings as a broadcast journalist in San Diego and Palm Springs to her current role as California State Legislature press secretary, Nguyen has spent her career elevating voices and fostering meaningful connections. Nguyen also serves on the Solano Commission for Women and Girls, bringing her experience in media, outreach and public service to her Solano Community College role. “As immigrants, my parents have always emphasized to me that education is the foundation of economic mobility. Their words still ring true for me today as I am a lifelong learner and I believe a quality education enhances critical thinking skills and the capacity to contribute positively to our community,” Nguyen said. “I am honored to step into this new role as the first Vietnamese American trustee to serve on the Solano Community College Governing Board and am excited to work with my colleagues and President Butler to achieve great things for our vibrant communities.” Superintendent-President Dr. Kellie Sims Butler praised Nguyen. “We are thrilled to welcome Trustee Nguyen to the Solano Community College Governing Board. Her deep dedication to education, equity and public service aligns seamlessly with our mission to provide access and opportunity to all students,” Butler said. “Trustee Nguyen's wealth of experience and perspective will undoubtedly help Solano Community College reach new heights.” On behalf of the APAPA family, congratulations Jacqui!??

Hello from our 2025 APAPA Spring California Capitol Internship cohort! This past weekend 25 select undergraduate students completed their internship orientation at APAPA Headquarters, developing skills on Capitol Professionalism, State Legislature 101, Public Speaking and Networking. We look forward to their continued growth and community service moving into the California State Lt. Governor, Treasurer, Assembly, and Senate offices! #Inspire #Engage #Empower #APAPAInterns Learn more about our internship programs here: https://lnkd.in/gRMiVedt

Congratulations to ED PEREZ, APAPA Greater Sacramento Chapter Vice President, who was recently appointed by Governor Newsom to the Physician Assistant Board! Ed has dedicated his career to public service, water management, workers’ rights, and community advocacy. PUBLIC SERVICE AND WATER MANAGEMENT: Elected as the first Filipino American on the Reclamation District 1000 (RD1000) Flood Board covering areas in both Sacramento County and Sutter County, serving over 100,000 residents, Perez serves as Chair of the Urbanization Committee and is a member of the Operations and Personnel Committees. He also represents RD1000 as an Alternate Member on the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), contributing to regional flood protection efforts. Perez recently retired from a 34-year career in state service, where he served as a senior manager at a water agency. His intimate knowledge of water management, flood protection, and emergency response, led to his deployment to 2017 Oroville Dam emergency response and his ultimate election to the RD1000 Board. LABOR AND WORKER ADVOCACY: Perez served for over a decade as an elected leader in California’s largest state employee union, SEIU Local 1000, where he helped protect and preserve workers’ rights, retirement, and other benefits. COMMUNITY ADVOCACY: Perez’s commitment to service extended to his local community of North Natomas where he is the President of his local homeowner association representing nearly 1,300 households. He is also a member of the North Natomas Community Coalition, an umbrella organization for community associations that represents residents’ interests in development, planning, and smart growth issues and an executive board member for the Hamptons Community Foundation, which provides internship training and development programs for underserved students. Perez also led efforts to install privately-owned state-of-the-art license plate recognition (LPR) cameras in nearly all of North Natomas and has been instrumental in law enforcement’s efforts in fighting crime. On behalf of the APAPA family, congratulations Ed! ??

This past weekend, Congressmember Mike Thompson hosted a special reception at Trinchero Winery in St. Helena to recognize one honoree from each county in his district, including APAPA CEO Mary Yin Liu as his "Woman of the Year" in Yolo County. ?? Congressmember Thompson honored her as a "transformative and dedicated leader who is passionate about serving the community." At APAPA, Mary is continuing the legacy of her parents CC and Regina Yin, who founded APAPA as a nonprofit organization over two decades ago to advance leadership and civic engagement in the Asian Pacific Islander communities. "APAPA will be entering its 25th Year Silver Anniversary next year, and there is so much to celebrate," Mary says. As a successful business entreprepreneur, she is a McDonald’s Franchisee with 21 restaurants in Yolo, Solano, and Sacramento counties. She was elected by her fellow franchise owners, as the first minority and female President for the Northern California Operators Association. On a regional level, she is the founder of Thriving Pink, the only Yolo County nonprofit which is dedicated to help those impacted with breast cancer thrive. The American Dream for her, and her family, has always been focused on helping others and serving the community. "There are so many incredible trailblazers who have come before us, and who will come after us. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to my community, and I look forward to working with and seeing the next generation of leaders make an even greater impact." Thank you for all of the hard work you do for the community. On behalf of the APAPA family, Congratulations Mary! ????

On January 16, 2025, APAPA staff, leaders and its Government Appointments Committee (GAC) delivered strong remarks at the California Senate Rules hearing in support of California State University Trustee Wenda Fong. Appointed in 2018, Fong was reappointed by Governor Newsom in 2024 to the governing board for another eight-year term and appeared before the California Senate Rules Committee as part of the reappointment process. On Monday February 24th, 2025, the Senate officially confirmed CSU Trustee Wenda Fong for another term for 8 years. Floor Vote was: 37-0. “I am grateful to APAPA for the unconditional support of my reappointment,” said CSU Trustee and APAPA-GAC Honorary Chair Wenda Fong. “It has been an honor for me to serve on the California State University Board of Trustees and I look forward to a second term to carry on the work with my fellow trustees for our 460,000 students, our faculty and staff for the nation’s largest four-year public university system.” Congratulations to Trustee Wenda Fong! We look forward to your continued leadership for all of our students within California State University. View more here: https://lnkd.in/gT3imEnc

APAPA endorsed the Korematsu Bill Package, reintroduced by Representative Mark Takano, Senator Hirono, and Senator Duckworth, as well as the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, reintroduced by Representative Ilhan Omar and Senator Hirono. The legislation contained in the Korematsu Bill Package includes: Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act, which would prohibit detention or imprisonment based solely on an actual or perceived protected characteristic of an individual. Recognizing the importance of establishing a national "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution," which will help to ensure that Fred Korematsu's legacy is remembered and honored, and that the lessons of the incarceration are not forgotten. Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act, which will honor Fred Korematsu for his decades-long fight for justice, and will serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting civil liberties for all Americans. Separately, the Neighbors Not Enemies Act would would repeal the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) of 1798—a xenophobic anti-immigrant law that has been used to justify the incarceration of Japanese, German, and Italian Americans during World War II, as well as the Muslim Ban by President Trump in 2017. https://lnkd.in/g-5ts8yq https://lnkd.in/gbegpK-y

Our APAPA team was well-represented as a partnering sponsor at the API Leadership Summit hosted by the CA AAPILC this past week. CEO Mary Yin Liu, COO Marilyn Cachola Lucey, M.A., National Program Director Isa Whalen, M.S, National Board Members Paul Hsu and Ethan Huynh, and Chapter Leaders Christopher Do, Scott Chung, and Chuck Ng, attended panels focused on Navigating the Current Landscape, and Building Capacity and Infrastructure, among others, with many statewide community leaders. We are grateful to have witnessed such informative and inspirational speakers! And thankful to be in community with amazing leaders! Congresswomen Judy Chu Rob Bonta Mike Fong Dr. Aisha Wahab Stephanie Nguyen Ash Kalra Alex T. Lee Darshana Patel, Ph.D. John Harabedian Jessica Caloza Al Muratsuchi John Chiang Aarti Kohli Amy Tong Connie Chung Joe Sina Uipi Jason Paguio Manjusha P. Kulkarni Carolyn Wang Kong Madalene Mielke Andrea Cherng Adele Lim Kevin Liao Ron Wong Alissa Ko Cheryl H. Jodi Hicks Stephanie Hsiao #APILeadership #BuildingCapacity #APIWomenLeaders