Congressional Asian pacific American Caucus Elects Executive Board Officers, Welcomes New Member

Press Release

CONGRESSIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN CAUCUS ELECTS EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS, WELCOMES NEW MEMBER

Today, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) held its leadership elections for the incoming110th Congress. In a unanimous vote, the Caucus re-elected Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15) to a second term as Caucus Chair; Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (AS) to a second term as Vice-Chair; Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (GU) to a second term as Secretary; and Rep. Al Green (TX-9) to his first term on CAPAC's Executive Committee. Reflecting the growing Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) political clout, CAPAC also welcomed the newest APIA Member of Congress, Rep.-elect Mazie Hirono (HI-2).

Representative Honda commented, "CAPAC has made tremendous strides in the 109th Congress and I am excited to continue my leadership role in CAPAC to continue our progress to ensure the voice of the APIA community is heard in Congress," said Honda. "I will be working on a number of issues of great concern to the APIA community in the 110th including enacting comprehensive immigration reform, eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities and ensuring long-denied benefits for Filipino WW II Veterans. And, I look forward to the opportunity of continuing to advance critical APIA issues in cooperation with our friends in the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses. "

Representative Faleomavaega said, "I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Executive Board of CAPAC in representing the diverse interests of our APIA communities," said Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS). "We must actively advance an agenda that reflects the essence of the APIA community's needs and I will work hard to ensure the voices of our communities especially those in the territories are heard."

Representative Bordallo said, "I commend Chairman Mike Honda and Vice Chairman Eni Faleomavaega for their leadership and I look forward to working with them and our CAPAC Caucus on issues important to our Asian and Pacific Islander communities. CAPAC has been a strong and consistent voice for improving health care in minority communities and I hope that with our CAPAC leadership that we will have legislative successes in the 110th Congress."

Representative Green noted, "I am honored to have been elected to the Executive Committee of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Serving on this committee will afford me the opportunity to gain further insight into the issues and concerns of Asian-Americans. In the Ninth Congressional District of Texas, which I represent in Congress, approximately 12 percent of my constituents are APIAs. Thus, my election to the Executive Committee will serve as a valuable resource when addressing the immediate needs of this constituency."

Representative-elect Hirono stated, "I am pleased and proud to join the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and to have the opportunity to continue the excellent work the Caucus has done over the years. It is an honor to add my name to the outstanding members of Congress, including my friend the late Patsy T. Mink, who have looked beyond partisanship to provide for the full participation of Asian Pacific Americans, reflect the concerns and needs of our Asian Pacific American communities, and protect and advance the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans.

"Membership on CAPAC is not only a chance to serve, but also a chance to learn. Representative Mike Honda and the other CAPAC members have been very generous in their guidance and support, and I look forward to working with them to advance the caucus's goals," Hirono concluded.

Founded in 1994 by then Congressman Norman Mineta, CAPAC is comprised of members of Congress (both the House and Senate) who have strong interests in promoting APIA issues and advocating the concerns of APIAs. CAPAC is bipartisan and bi-cameral, and has been led by five prominent APIA members of Congress: Congressman Norman Mineta, Congresswoman Patsy Mink, Congressman Robert A. Underwood, Congressman David Wu and Congressman Mike Honda.

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