Nation Briefs
December 26, 2007
APA Political Almanac Lists Over 2,000 APA Officials
The impact of 14 million Asian Pacific Americans on the upcoming 2008 presidential election is one of many topics examined in the new 13th edition of the National Asian Pacific American Political Almanac, which was released recently in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
The 254-page almanac includes a listing of over 2,000 APA elected and major appointed officials at the federal, state and local levels.
The almanac was compiled by the UCLA Asian American Studies Center and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies in Washington, D.C., and intends to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date compilation of practical information, empirical research and policy perspectives on the electoral involvement of the nation’s APA population in American politics.
Recently elected officials listed in the new almanac are Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana, and Mazie Hirono, United States Congress member from Hawai‘i.
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Clinton Supports Equal Opportunity for Asian Americans
The 80-20 Initiative announced recently that it received a signed reply from Senator Hillary Clinton to its equal opportunity questionnaire. She answered “Yes” to all six questions, representing an ironclad commitment that if she becomes president, she will give Asian Americans equal opportunity in workplaces, such as a federal judge appointment.
A key law to assure equal opportunity in workplaces is Executive Order 11246. Senator Clinton has promised to enforce that law for Asian Americans and to nominate qualified Asian Americans to Federal District Courts and Circuit Court, whenever vacancies occur.
Other presidential candidates who have answered “yes” to all six questions include Democratic Senators Joseph Biden, Chris Dodd and Mike Gravel.
The 80-20 Initiative strives for equal opportunity and justice for all Asian Americans.
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The ‘Your Singapore Experience Contest’
The “Your Singapore Experience Contest” provides a special opportunity to take an all-expenses paid trip to Singapore, meet some of its luminaries, and have an in-depth experience of its exciting developments.
The contest is open to individuals who are non-Singaporeans and non-Singapore permanent residents residing abroad who are above the age of 18 at the date of entry submission.
Contestants will submit an aspect of Singapore that they admire or find interesting and would like to experience for themselves in Singapore in the format of a text essay, photo essay or a video clip. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 27.
Each contestant may submit only one entry. At the end of the contest period, the winner will be chosen by a judging panel.
Winners will be notified no later than the end of January 2008, and travel is to be completed by the end of March 2008.
Visit your-singapore-experience.sg for more information.
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A Life of Lies
WASHINGTON — Chong Koh, 26, was sentenced to 10 years for aggravated assault.
Koh’s future had seemed promising in May. His family was flying out for his graduation from Georgetown Law School. He had accepted a job at a prestigious New York law firm. He and girlfriend, Sung “Susie” Lee, were making wedding plans. These were all lies.
On May 20, Lee awoke to find him punching her, striking her with a wok, and slashing her neck and wrists with a razor blade.
Koh’s attorney said Koh suffered from stress and depression. As the oldest son, Koh faced “a great deal of pressure” from his Korean American family.
For five years, Koh’s relatives had sent him tuition money, which he used for rent, expenses and luxuries. He had hoped his murder-suicide plot would prevent anyone from discovering he had never attended college. Koh tried to kill himself by drinking STP Gas Treatment.
In court, Koh apologized for attacking Lee and deceiving his family.
— The Washington Post
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