March 14

WASHINGTON - The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) Endowment Fund is proud to announce that it is accepting applications for the 2013 Distinguished Public Service Scholarship.  For the past many years, FAPAC has awarded a number of scholarships and internships to Asian Pacific American college students who exhibit excellent academic achievement as well as demonstrated a continuous effort to foster diversity and community service to the Asian Pacific American community. This year’s award is given under the newly established FAPAC Endowment Fund in honor of the first Asian Pacific American elected to Congress – the late Dalip Singh Saund. The award will be given to a student on May 8, 2013 in Long Beach, CA during the FAPAC National Leadership Training Program. The awardee will receive a stipend of $5,000 towards his or her education. In future year awards will be also given out in honor of former Secretaries Elaine L. Chao and Norman Y. Mineta.

The FAPAC Distinguished Public Service Scholarship Endowment Fund, Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes the recognition of Asian Pacific American students who is interested in public service and has made contributions to foster diversity and inclusion in the Asian and Pacific American community.

Intersted student should visit www.fapac.org for more information.

December 18, 2012

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON DC –FAPAC expresses sorrow at the passing of a giant and a great friend – Senator Daniel Inouye. Senator Inouye has dedicated his life defending our country, earning a Medal of Honor as a World War II veteran and was one of our most effective spokesmen for our community, served as the Senator from Hawaii for 50 years. He was a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

President Kin Wong recalled his last meeting with the senator and his wife at the reception of the Committee of 100 earlier this year where he briefed the senator on the work of FAPAC. He told the senator on the joint letter to Secretary Panetta and the initiative for a special Plenary on Hazing in the Military at the National Leadership Training Program to be held on May 6-10, 2013 at the Long Beach Hilton. He expressed his support on FAPAC and its continued effort on behalf of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the federal government.

Established in 1985, FAPAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that promotes equal opportunity and cultural diversity among the 155,000 civilian and military AAPI employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments of all ranks, including GS and SES employees and managers. FAPAC carries out its mission through activities in conjunctions to the observance of the Heritage Month, held during the month of May each year, and through its education, Military and Civilian Award programs. For more information, please visit www.fapac.org

PRESS RELEASE                                                                 For information contact: fapac@fapac.org       
December 1, 2012                                                                               FAPAC ANNOUNCES THE NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM

Theme for 2013: ‘BUILDING LEADERSHIP: EMBRACE THE CULTURAL VALUES AND INCLUSION”

WASHINGTON DC –FAPAC announced the appointments of the Standing and Ad Hoc Committees for 2013 after the installation of the Officers at the National Press Club.

The new team continues FAPAC’s transformation to move forward as a national organization. The team includes proven leaders from a diverse background, some outside the traditional Metropolitan DC area and initiates FAPAC’s process of succession as we embrace a new generation of leaders who will take the organization to ever greater heights. Through the new Mentoring Program CDHP more leaders are ready to take the challenge. 

Established in 1985, FAPAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that promotes equal opportunity and cultural diversity among the 155,000 civilian and military AAPI employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments of all ranks, including GS and SES employees and managers. FAPAC carries out its mission through activities in conjunctions to the observance of the Heritage Month, held during the month of May each year, and through its education, Military and Civilian Award programs. For more information, please visit www.fapac.org

Calling all energetic, enthusiastic & fun loving people! If you want to be a part of our many opportunities to help others and be part of the Executive Board (see Announcement for Committee Chairperson Positions).

For question or comment, contact Fapac@fapac.org

                                    THEME FOR AAPI HERITAGE MONTH MAY 2013  

‘BUILDING LEADERSHIP: EMBRACE THE CULTURAL VALUES AND INCLUSION”

WASHINGTON DC – The Federal Asian American Council (FAPAC) announced the theme for the AAPI Heritage Month May 2013:

The theme symbolizes the great variety of cultures Asian Americans and Pacific Americans bring to our society. While acknowledging our different cultural values that lead to innovation and advancement in science, medicine and technology, we have to always be mindful of the importance of inclusion. The latter will acts as cement that will form the foundation of the younger and more diverse workforce that is bringing changes to every agency throughout the federal government. New leadership skills that embrace these changes will bring forth new solutions to age-old problems.

Through its National Training Program every year FAPAC promotes cultural diversity and equal opportunity. During the event it also showcase the cultures of the many countries on the Asian Continent and across the Pacific. 

Established in 1985, FAPAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that promotes equal opportunity and cultural diversity among the 155,000 civilian and military AAPI employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments of all ranks, including GS and SES employees and managers. FAPAC carries out its mission through activities in conjunctions to the observance of the Heritage Month, held during the month of May each year, and through its education, Military and Civilian Award programs. For more information, please visit www.fapac.org

WASHINGTON DC – On August 1, 2012 FAPAC successfully completed its biennial election with the following results:

President - Dr. Kin Wong DOT

Sr. Vice President for Operation – Peter Nguyen FAA

Vice President for Committees – Olivia Adrian DOI

Executive Secretary – Liqun Wong DEA

Treasurer – Kaye Nitta FDA

Auditor – Kevin Le FAA

The elected officers and auditor will assume office on October 1, 2012 and serve until September 30, 2014.

FAPAC is organized exclusively for educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. FAPAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization promotes equal opportunity and cultural diversity among 155,000 civilian and military AAPI employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments of all ranks, including GS and SES employees and managers. FAPAC carries out its mission through the Annual National Leadership Training Conference, held during the month of May each year, and through training by local chapters. FAPAC also recognizes outstanding employees and managers who contributed to enhance diversity in the community.

For more information, please visit www.fapac.org

WASHINGTON DC – On June 8, 2012 FAPAC kicks off its mentoring program, Career Development for High Performers (CDHP) in Washington, DC.  President Kin Wong   welcomed the first class of mentors and mentees and encouraged the participants to take advantage of the program to learn from each other. Sharon Wong, Deputy Director of Diversity and Inclusion at OPM, and MG Sharon Dunbar, Director of Force Management Policy, USAF, discussed the opportunities and challenges of mentoring. Leona Wang, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, presented and overview of the program. Leona and Selina Lee, Chair of FAPAC’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, were instrumental in getting the mentoring program started and will oversee its operation.

The 12 month program will include 32 hours of various activities including one on one mentoring and group activities. The mentor and mentee were pairs based on interest and availability.

The CDHP is part of the FAPAC Pipeline Program to attract more AAPI to public service, move them up the ladder into management and eventually for those who desire into SES career. Through this new initiative FAPAC will play an important part in preparing a diverse workforce for the federal government. FAPAC will collaborate with OPM, the White House Initiatives for AAPI and other federal agencies to make the initiative successful. The program will build on experience gained and will make changes as necessary.

FAPAC is organized exclusively for educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. FAPAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization promotes equal opportunity and cultural diversity among 155,000 civilian and military AAPI employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments of all ranks, including GS and SES employees and managers. FAPAC carried out its mission through the Annual National Leadership Training Conference, held during the month of May each year, and through training by local chapters. FAPAC also recognized outstanding employees and managers who contributed to enhance diversity in the community.

For more information, please visit www.fapac.org or contact selina.lee@ed.gov or Leona.wang@cfpb.gov.

MEDIA ALERT 

May 17, 2012                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Media Contact:
David Lee (703) 623-1721

Coalition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Organizations to host Senate Reception

Over twenty organizations in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have come together with members of the U.S. Senate and elected officials from Maryland and Virginia to host a luncheon reception in support of Senate Resolution 201 and Immigration Reform, and to commemorate national Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month. This is the first such event to be hosted at the Senate in over four years.

The event’s sponsor, Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, along with honorary hosts Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman Steny Hoyer, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Mike Honda, Congressman John Sarbanes, Congressman Frank Wolf, MD Delegate Kumar Barve, MD Delegate Susan Lee, MD Delegate Kriselda Valderrama, MD Delegate Sam Arora, VA Delegate Mark Keam, MD Delegate Aruna Miller, and VA Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jimmy Rhee will attend the May 24^th event from 11am-2pm in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Building. “This reception is the result of wide-reaching collaboration between regional and national AAPI organizations that are dedicated to the advancement of social, political, and economic well-being of those in the AAPI community,” said Judge Chung Pak of the United States Patent and Trade Office. “It is a great opportunity for legislators to reflect on recent successes in the AAPI community, as well as reinforce their commitment to addressing issues which affect members of the growing national AAPI community.”

Host organizations include American Bangladeshi Community Development, American Indian Community Services, Association of Baltimore Chinese, China Alumni Association of Greater Washington, Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Coordination Council of Chinese American Associations, Federal Asian Pacific American Council, Filipino American Foundation for Charity, Global Hanin Yundai, Greater Washington Chinese American Community, Guangdong Residents Assn. of Greater Washington, Hope Chinese School, Korean American Association of the Washington Metropolitan Area, Korean American Women's Chamber of Commerce, Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington, Korean Society of Maryland, Maryland Muslim Council, National Asian & Pacific American Association, Thai Tennis Organization, Organization of Chinese Americans-DC, Union of Chinese American Professional Organizations, and the VA Asian Festival sponsored by TTOA.

Senate Resolution 201, which expresses regret over the Chinese Exclusion Acts and reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to civil rights, was passed unanimously by the Senate late last year. It is currently with the House Subcommittee on the Constitution as HR 282. The Chinese Exclusion Acts were a series of legislative acts which imposed severe restrictions against persons of Chinese descent and were the first to restrict a group of immigrants based on race and class. “The unanimous passing of S. Res. 201,” said Maryland State Delegate Susan Lee, “marks a significant step in our country’s dedication to equality and opportunity and to reconciling the mistakes of the past.”

Performances for the reception will represent the artistic traditions of a variety of pan-Asian cultures. “I am thrilled to bring the ancient Chinese art of WuShu to the Senate,” said Tiffany Wang, a martial artist with the U.S. Wushu Academy. “I feel it is very important to share this tradition with others. The United States is fortunate to have such a rich diversity of cultures with unique histories and experiences. We have a lot to learn from one another.” Other performances include Korean flower dance, Nepalese traditional dance, Korean musical performance, a Chinese zither performance, and a demo of Korean painting.

For additional information, please contact David Lee at (703) 623-1721.