NCVA eREPORTER
- February 1, 2005
In this NCVA eReporter:
Events
Funding Opportunities
Jobs/Internships
News
******************
EVENTS
VIRGINIA
APA
LEGISLATIVE & STATE FORUM / RECEPTION
Come Join Us in Richmond on Thursday Feb. 3 for an Historic
Asian & Pacific American Legislative & State Forum & Reception!!
All Virginia Asian & Pacific American (APA)
communities are invited to come to Richmond for a day of
legislative & State briefings and networking opportunities with
State executive and elected officials on February 3rd. All
APAs are invited to attend the day's events for free.
The day's events are comprised of three components:
1) A Legislative & State Briefing Forum, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at
the State Library,
800 E. Broad St.;
(see attached Day forum agenda)
2) An evening reception: 5:30-8:00 p.m., Peking Restaurant, 1302
E. Carey St.
3) Tour and Recognition activities:12:00-2:00 at the Capitol
Building. House Gallery Recognition: 12:00, line up at 11:40,
Tour: at 1:00
Please try to attend as many activities as you can and urge all
constituents to do so. We need to project numbers and a sense of
the community to the legislature.
While you are at the State Capitol, make appointments to see
your delegate and senator to introduce yourselves.
The following is a list of sponsors for the February 3rd APA
events:
Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans of Virginia
Asian American Society of Central Virginia
Organization of Chinese Americans-VA Chapters
LTD Management Inc.
Vinifera Winegrowers Association
National Congress of Vietnamese Americans
Alliance of Chinese Community Organizations of America
Organization of Korean American Women
US Sikh Chamber of Commerce
Asian American Action Fund
Korean American Society of Greater Richmond
Filipino American Association of Central Virginia
TLS, Inc.
Pakistani American Society of Central Virginia
Korean American Association of Northern Virginia
Indian Society of Virginia
Korean American Coalition-D.C. Area Chapter
Virginia Lottery
Dr. Dilip Sarkar
Bill & Mayette Wilder
Paul Shao
Dr. Suchada Langley
Please contact Rupa Somanath at
804
786-7296 or
rupa.somanath@governor.virginia.gov to rsvp and for
additional information.
In addition, Delegate Lionell Spruill and Senators Janet Howell
and Patsy Ticer have introduced legislative amendments to the
budget to create an
APA
outreach office at the State.
For more information on
APA
legislation, contact: Eric Jensen, Chairman, Coalition of Asian
Pacific Americans of Virginia (CAPAVA),
eljensen@comcast.net;
(703)
868-8325.
Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans of Virginia (CAPAVA)
www.capava.org
******************
NATIONWIDE EVENT PLANNED TO COMMEMORATE TSUNAMI TRAGEDY
Washington, DC - The Society for Indonesian-Americans (SIA)
announced today plans to conduct a nationwide candlelight vigil
commemorating the tragic event of December 26, 2004 befalling
Indonesia and other South Asian countries. Simultaneous events
will be held in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia,
Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, and
Washington, D.C. on Friday, February 4. The local event will
take place from 7:00 - 8:30 pm in Washington DC. at the Embassy
of Indonesia located at 2020 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., between 20th and
21st street.
The program will consist of a moment of silence, several
speakers, films, and photographs. Participants will be linked
together via a nationwide conference call. The keynote speaker
will be Ambassador Soemadi D.M Brotodiningrat. In addition, a
representative from Mercy Corps will provide an update on their
tsunami relief efforts on site in Aceh, Sumatra, the hardest hit
area in the region.
George Tirajoh, Chairman/President of SIA, stated "The Society
for Indonesian-Americans (SIA), based out of Washington, D.C.,
is promoting solidarity and remembrance among Indonesian
Americans and Friends throughout the United States for the
victims of the tsunami 40 days after the tragedy (which is a
traditional time of memorialization) on February 4, 2005. We
encourage all members of the community, regardless of
nationality, who wish to pay their respects to attend. SIA looks
to the future as Indonesian-Americans playing an important role
to bridge communication, understanding, and trust between
Indonesia and the U.S."
All those wishing to attend are invited to the Embassy for the
activities which begin at
7PM. In addition to the program as described
above, donations of clothing and children's toys will be
welcomed.
For complete details, please visit the SIA website at
www.sianews.org.
******************
LUNAR
NEW
YEAR CELEBRATION – AUSTIN, TEXAS
Austin, Texas – The Vietnamese American Community of Austin
Texas (VACAT) will hold its annual Lunar New Year Celebration at
Connally High School this Saturday, February 5, 2005, from 10
a.m. through 4 p.m. The annual celebration will include
cultural entertainment, lion/dragon dances, martial arts
exhibitions, Vietnamese food from various local restaurants,
games for adults and children alike and other festivities. The
admission is free for children and $1.00 for adults.
The lunar calendar is based on the moon’s movement as oppose to
the earth’s rotation around the sun (solar calendar). Hence,
Lunar New Year, known as Tet, falls on different days of the
solar calendar. This year, Tet falls on February 9th
and is designated the Year of the Rooster.
VACAT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and promotes the
interests of the Vietnamese community in Austin. Our executive
board is composed of four individuals elected from the Austin
Vietnamese community and serves two years. The officers are
David Nguyen (President), Adam Tran (Vice President), Brenda Le
(Treasurer) and Phuong Nguyen (Secretary).
Event: Lunar New Year Celebration
Location: Connally High School (Cafeteria), 13212 North Lamar,
Austin, Texas 78753
Time:
February 5, 2005 (10:00am –
4:00pm)
Cost: Children – Free, Adults - $1
Website:
http://www.vacat.org
******************
THE FOUNDATION CENTER
FREE
GRANTSEEKER TRAINING PROGRAM
1627 K STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20006-1708 PHONE:
202-331-1400
FAX: 202-331-1739 URL:
http://WWW.FDNCENTER.ORG
The Foundation Center - Washington D.C. in cooperation with The
D.C. Mayor's Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs,
Chinatown Service Center, and Youngberg & Associates invites you
to a
FREE GRANTSEEKER TRAINING PROGRAM
LEARN TO:
* SEARCH THE FOUNDATION CENTER'S DATABASE OF 80,000 GRANTMAKERS
AND
500,000 GRANTS
* IDENTIFY POTENTIAL FUNDERS FOR YOUR NONPROFIT
* USE THE FOUNDATION CENTER LIBRARY-LEARNING CENTER
Tuesday,
February 8, 2005, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Chinatown Service Center
900 Massachusetts Avenue, NW (inside the Mt. Vernon United
Methodist Church)
4th floor
Washington, D.C.
THIS PROGRAM IS
FREE
BUT SPACE IS LIMITED
Please rsvp by February 7 to the Mayor's Office of Asian and
Pacific Islander Affairs
(202) 727-3120 or to Dory Peters at
dory.peters@dc.gov
Free parking in the lot behind the church (access through K
Street from 9th Street).
Also accessible by Metro (Gallery Place or Metro Center)
SERVING THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF GRANTSEEKERS AND, GRANTMAKERS
HEADQUARTERS:
NEW
YORK
CITY. FIELD OFFICES: ATLANTA / CLEVELAND /
SAN FRANCISCO / WASHINGTON DC
Francey L. Youngberg
Youngberg & Associates
7505 Elba Road
Alexandria, VA 22306
(703)
660-9166 telephone
(215) 895-9853 fax
francey.youngberg@verizon.net
******************
ASIAN LAW ALLIANCE 28TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER 2005
The Asian Law Alliance will be hosting its 28TH Anniversary
Dinner at the Fairmont Hotel, 170 S. Market St.,
San
Jose on Friday,
March 4, 2005
–
6:00pm cocktails, 7:00 dinner, and 8:00 program, 9:30
dance.
This year’s honorees are:
Legal Impact Honoree:
KEN KAWAICHI, SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE (RETIRED)
Business Impact Honoree:
DIOSDADO “Dado” BANATAO, MANAGING PARTNER, TALLWOOD
VENTURE CAPITAL
Community Impact Honoree:
JUDY
CHU,
MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY
Legal Co-Chair:
CARMEN CHANG, SHEARMAN & STERLING
Business Co-Chair:
TAN LU, TK NOODLE
Community Co-Chair:
PAUL FONG, TRUSTEE, DE-ANZA/FOOTHILL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DISTRICT
Emcee:
THUY VU, ABC 7 News Anchor and Reporter
Please Reserve:
___ Individual tickets at $150 each, for a total of $_______
“Silver” Table(s) at $1,500 each, for a total of $_______
____“Gold” Table(s )at $2,500 each for a total of $_______
____“Emerald” Table (s) at $5,000 each for a total of $_______
Please reserve # of vegetarian entrees.
The per person cost above $65.00 is tax deductible to the extent
permitted by law.
To ensure excellent service, please provide the following
information.
Name: ____________________________
Organization: ________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
City: ______________________ State: ____ Zip Code: _________
Business Phone: _______________ Home Phone: _____________
E-mail: _____________________________
Sorry, I cannot attend. However, I would like to commit a
donation of $ _____
For event information, please contact us at
(408)
287-9710 or
sccala@pacbell.net. If you are interested, please respond
before Monday,
February 28, 2005
to
ensure preferred seating. All tickets will be held at the door.
Make check payable to Asian Law Alliance 184 Jackson Street,
San Jose, CA 95112.
(www.asianlawalliance.org)
******************
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
SUPPORT FOR COMPANY
COMMUNITIES
Sempra Energy Community Partnership Program
The Sempra Energy Community Partnership Program supports
nonprofit organizations and activities in communities where
company employees live and work, including Southern California
and communities in Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana,
Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas, as
well as international locations. Areas of interest include
education, the environment, business and economic development,
community and civic leadership, health and human services, and
arts and culture. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
(http://www.sempra.com/community_giving.htm)
******************
TOMMY HILFIGER YOUTH EDUCATION
AND
HEALTH GRANTS
Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation
The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation was established to help
empower America's youth. The goal of the Foundation is to be a
major force in improving education by focusing on preparing
students for the demands of today's global society. In addition,
the Foundation is committed to investing in health-related
organizations and cultural programs that impact a diverse
population of youth. Nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S.
are eligible to apply. The next application deadline is April 1,
2005.
(http://www.tommy.com/info/foundation.jhtml)
******************
DONATION
AND
REPAIR OF INSTRUMENTS FOR YOUTH MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation supports music education
through the donation and repair of musical instruments for
underserved schools, community music programs and individual
students nationwide. The Foundation's Melody Program provides
musical instruments and instrument repairs to existing K-12
school music programs that have no other source of financing to
purchase additional musical instruments and materials. The
Special Projects Program provides musical instruments and
instrument repairs to community schools of the arts,
after-school programs, and youth orchestras. Cash grants are not
made. K-12 school music programs, community schools of the arts,
after-school programs, and youth orchestras throughout the
country are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted
year-round.
(http://www.mhopus.org)
******************
FUNDS FOR ADULT
AND
FAMILY LITERACY
Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation strives to increase the
functional literacy of adults by providing grants to nonprofit
organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy within
Dollar General's market area. The Foundation provides funding
for adult basic education, GED preparation, English for speakers
of other languages, and family literacy. Nonprofit organizations
in the company's 30-state market area are eligible to apply. For
a market area map, visit
http://www.dollargeneral.com/ourstores/map.aspx. The
application deadline is April 8, 2005.
(http://www.dollargeneral.com/community/dgliteracy.aspx)
******************
ING UNSUNG HEROES AWARDS FOR INNOVATIVE K-12 EDUCATORS
The
ING Unsung Heroes Awards are given to K-12 educators
pioneering in new methods and techniques that improve student
learning. Educators submit applications describing projects they
have initiated or have envisioned for the future. These
applications are judged on innovative teaching methods, creative
educational projects, and ability to make a positive influence
on the children. Full-time K-12 education professionals from
accredited public and private schools throughout the U.S. may
apply. Each of the 100 finalists receives a $2,000 award and
three finalists will be selected for additional awards of
$25,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place, and $5,000
for third place. The application deadline is
April 30, 2005.
(http://www.ing.com/us/about/connect/education/unsung_heroes.html)
******************
ITTLESON FOUNDATION SUPPORT FOR AIDS PREVENTION, THE
ENVIRONMENT,
AND MENTAL HEALTH
The Ittleson Foundation provides seed money for the start-up of
innovative programs that will improve the social welfare of
citizens of the United States. The Foundation's funding
priorities are AIDS, the environment, and mental health. The
Foundation provides seed money for new ideas and initiatives by
supporting pilot projects, demonstration projects, and applied
research. Projects should be of national scope, or of
significance beyond the local area of implementation. Nonprofit
organizations throughout the U.S. are eligible to apply. The
next deadline for submitting letters of inquiry is March 31,
2005.
(http://www.ittlesonfoundation.org)
******************
JOBS/INTERNSHIPS
LOCAL
INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION JOBS
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has two positions
available in its San Francisco Bay Area office: Development
Director and Administrative Assistant. LISC is a national
nonprofit organization that provides financial and technical
assistance to community development organizations engaged in
affordable housing development and other neighborhood building
activities. Please visit our local and national websites for
more information: www.lisc.org/bayarealisc.org and www.lisc.org
. LISC is an equal opportunity employer.
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
The Development Director is responsible for directing the
fundraising activities of the Bay Area LISC office as well as
overseeing the office communications strategy and activities.
The Development Director will work with a total team of nine
other staff members, including an Assistant Program Officer
working full-time on fundraising and communications. The
Development Director will report directly to the Bay Area LISC
Director.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
The Administrative Assistant will work closely with the Director
and other staff, and will be responsible for performing
secretarial duties, record keeping, billing, and other
administrative functions. Administrative Assistant reports
directly to the Director. The office has 10 employees. The
successful candidates should be energetic, well-organized, have
excellent oral and written communication skills and be able to
relate to senior level executives.
Please submit a resume and cover letter with position you're
applying for to: Director, Bay Area LISC, 369 Pine Street, Suite
350,
San Francisco,
CA
94104; or by email to
ba_lisc@liscnet.org . No phone calls please.
(www.liscnet.org)
******************
NFL 2005 SUMMER
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The NFL is pleased to announce the launch of our recruiting
efforts for the 2005 Summer Internship Program. The Internship
Program is designed to provide a unique and meaningful summer
learning experience for college and graduate students, provide
the NFL with highly qualified students for temporary help, and
enhance the pipeline of talented candidates from diverse
backgrounds for potential full-time hire at the NFL League and
Films offices. Last year a total of 40 students (25 in New York
and 15 in New Jersey) with diverse talents and interests
participated in the NFL summer program from universities across
the country.
The 2004 summer interns evaluated last summer's program and
overwhelmingly found the program to be rewarding, challenging
and insightful. We are very proud of the NFL's summer
internship program and invite NFL employees to forward the
attached NFL-NY and NFL- NJ Summer Internship Application forms
to eligible students whom they think would be suitable for the
internship program. The applications include detailed
information on program eligibility and structure. Please note
the different deadlines, requirements and compensations for the
NY and NJ internship programs.
To be considered for a summer internship position in the New
York League office, first consideration will be given to
applicants that:
Meet a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 overall and
3.3 in their major for undergraduate seniors; 3.3 for graduate
students; or ranked in the top 1/2 of their class for law
students; Will be seniors in an undergraduate program in the
Fall 2005 or are currently seniors intending to enter a graduate
or professional school in the Fall 2005; or graduate or law
students returning to school in the Fall 2005; E-mail a
completed application to
NFLinternships@nfl.com by
January 31, 2005; and, are within the United States at the
time of the interview process.
To be considered for a summer internship position in the New
Jersey Films office, applicants must:
* Meet a minimum grade point average of at least a 3.25;
* Be juniors or seniors in an undergraduate program in the Fall
2005;
* Be able to receive academic credit for the internship; and,
* Mail a completed application to NFL Films in Mt. Laurel by
March 1, 2005.
All interns will be required to undergo a rigorous selection
process. The Internship Committee, a select group of NFL
employees from various departments and positions, will continue
to work with the HR team to pre-screen all applications and
select the top candidates to be interviewed.
If you have any questions regarding the Internship Program,
please contact your HR generalist.
(NFLinternships@nfl.com)
******************
TACL SUMMER
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
SUMMER POLITICAL INTERNSHIP IN TOP GOVERNMENTAL OFFICES
Spend your summer as an intern with a premier Internship
Program.
The TACL Summer Internship Program, established in 1992, was
formed to infuse the Taiwanese American community with a greater
understanding of the political system through placement of
college level students at offices of local, state, and national
public officials. This allows Taiwanese Americans to be better
recognized as a developed community with a voice. Our primary
mission for TACL is to promote Taiwanese culture, heritage and
identity as well as involvement in American society.
Interns experience first hand how the political system works and
observe and participate in the formation of policies, both
domestic and foreign. In addition to working in their offices,
interns visit top legislators in an intense Sacramento trip,
attend community events, participate in leadership development
workshops, and various other activities.
List of last year's 2004 participating political offices:
Barbara Boxer, US Senator
Howard Berman, US Representative
Gilbert Cedillo, California Senator
John Chiang, California State Equalization Board Member
Judy Chu, California State Assembly member
Christopher Cox, US Representative
John Liu, New York City Councilman
Bob Margett, California State Senator
Dana Rohrbacher, US Representative
Lucille Roybal-Allard, US Representative
Edward Royce, US Representative
Linda Sanchez, US Representative
Hilda Solis, US Representative
Diane Watson, US Representative
The 9-week program will begin on
June 10, 2005 and end on
August 12, 2005.
Political interns will be assigned to offices located throughout
Washington, D.C. the Greater Los Angeles area, and San Francisco
area.
APPLICATION AVAILABLE AT:
http://tacl.org/programs/internship/
The completed application package is due no later than
March 1, 2005
to accommodate interviews, but applications received sooner will
be appreciated.
QUESTIONS
Teddy Liaw (teddy.liaw@tacl.org)
or Alice Lai (alice.lai@tacl.org)
Please write "INTERNSHIP" in email subject heading for
applications or questions.
******************
SOUTHEAST
ASIA
PROGRAM, CORNELL UNIVERSITY – SOUTHEAST ASIA OUTREACH SPECIALIST
The Southeast Asia Program at Cornell University is searching
for a Southeast Asia Outreach Specialist. Please help us to
advertise this position by sharing this information with
interested parties. Interested individuals are encouraged to
apply on line at
http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/jobs/
More information about the Southeast Asia Program at Cornell
University is available at
http://www.einaudi.cornell.edu/SoutheastAsia/
Inquiries may be addressed to
njs6@is.cornell.edu. Applications will be accepted through
January 28, 2005.
SEAP - Extension Supp Spec I - 03268
Job Description
In concert with the Southeast Asia Program (SEAP) mission,
promote knowledge and understanding of Southeast Asia, locally
on and off campus, in the NY State region and nationally.
Initiate and organize activities such as primary, secondary, and
college educational programs, teacher training workshops,
in-service training workshops. Develop and manage an
audio-visual library, assist in preparation of resource
materials on Southeast Asia, maintain the SEAP Outreach Webpage.
Support the organization of conferences, speaker series and
other on-campus events, in coordination with SEAP faculty and
students. Duties may also include editing and coordinating the
production of the annual SEAP Bulletin, and assisting in grant
research, preparation, and submission to strengthen outreach
activities. Position is 75% time - specific hours and schedule
negotiable.
Located in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, Cornell
University is committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive
campus in which to work, study, teach and serve.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree, in Asian Studies, or related areas such as
Anthropology or History , 2-3 years relevant prior experience,
strong writing and communication skills, some facility with
desktop publishing, world wide web and databases, ability to
independently set priorities and effectively manage multiple
program responsibilities. Prefer advanced degree with
concentration in SE Asian Studies, experience living in a SE
Asian country, professional writing experience, experience in
primary, secondary, and college educational setting including
curriculum design, and familiarity with US Department of
Education NRC guidelines or programs.
Cornell University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action
educator and employer.
Nancy J. Loncto
Associate Director for Administration
Southeast Asia Program
Cornell University
180 Uris Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Telephone 607:255-8902
Fax 607:254-5000
http://www.einaudi.cornell.edu/southeastasia/
******************
NEWS
AUSTRALIANS OF
THE YEAR AWARD 2005
Khoa Do
New South Wales
Young Australian of the Year 2005 - Recipient
As a writer, director and actor, Khoa Do has carved an
impressive niche for himself in the Australian film industry. In
2001, Khoa was nominated for an AFI Award for his screen play
for the short film Delivery Day. In 2002, Khoa was asked to
teach film-making to ‘at risk' youth in the Sydney suburb of
Cabramatta. He saw no better way to teach them how to make films
than to go ahead and make one with them. The end result is the
now internationally acclaimed film, The Finished People. In
2004, Khoa was nominated for 2 AFI Awards, 3 Film Critics’
Circle Awards and 2 Australian Writers’ Guild Awards for this
film and for his community theatre. At just 25, his
achievements, strong sense of character and willingness to help
others are an inspiration for all Australians.
(http://www.australianoftheyear.gov.au/bio.asp?pID=124)
******************
January 24, 2005
Projecting knowledge
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES GAIN COMPUTER SKILS –
AND SELF-CONFIDENCE
At age 64, Hoa Nguyen was eager to learn a new trick.
After reading a flier promoting free basic computer training at
a nearby skills center for Vietnamese refugees, Nguyen decided
to give it a try.
"Now, I have lots of lazy time," said Nguyen, who recently
retired after a 20-year career as a production manager.
"Old people who stay home with nothing to do are very sad," he
said.
Nguyen was among a handful of mostly Vietnamese students who
recently completed the class taught in both Vietnamese and
English by Nhi Cao at the Boat People S.O.S. center in
Sacramento. Classes and support services at the center, in a
strip mall off
Stockton Boulevard,
help Vietnamese refugees become self-sufficient in their new
country.
The three-month computer class starts with the basics - how to
turn the computer on - and then participants learn word
processing, e-mailing and Web browsing.
"I don't need to learn something to get a job," said Nguyen, who
is gaining confidence using English and his computer skills. "I
want to go to school to learn something I didn't know before."
Nguyen was in Cao's first computer class, but new students are
at a disadvantage. The digital projector that allowed students
to follow Cao's step-by-step instructions was stolen in June.
The projector was also used for other center programs and
classes.
Center officials have asked Book of Dreams readers to help
purchase a new projector to help people learn more easily.
Xuan Nguyen said the classes have been a tremendous help at her
real estate job. She had trouble shifting from paper to
electronic forms as her company required, but not any more.
Hoa Nguyen has found a more personal use of his new skills.
"I e-mailed my son and my niece in my country," he said. "This
class helped me with that."
(http://www.sacbee.com/content/dreams/story/11479020p-12393589c.html)
******************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2005
Contact: Anh Phan, (202) 223-5500
OCA DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR RACIST TSUNAMI SONG
PARODY
Washington, DC -- The
Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA),
the national Asian Pacific American (APA)
civil rights and education group and its over 80 chapters and
affiliates nationwide, condemns the broadcast of the "Tsunami
Song," sung by the radio staff and promoted by the hosts of the
Hot 97 New York City WQHT FM "Miss Jones in the Morning Show."
That broadcast aired repeatedly from January 13 to
January 21, 2005.
OCA calls for the removal of radio personalities Miss Jones and
Todd Lynn and that Hot 97 WQHT incur a fine or other sanction
for broadcasting inappropriate, racially-offensive material.
The morning radio staff sang a bigoted parody that exacerbated
the pain and suffering of the recent South Asian tsunami victims
and made racially charged statements encouraging hatred, scorn,
and violence towards people of Asian descent. The "Tsunami Song"
contains unmistakably racist epithets in its lyrics, including:
You can hear the screaming chinks.
There were Africans drowning/
Little Chinamen swept away/
You can hear God laughing, 'Swim you bitches swim.'
While introducing the song, male host Todd Lynn threatens,
"I'm going to start shooting Asians."
HOT 97 has already disabled the link to the Tsunami
Song. However, below is a link to the mp3 for you to listen for
yourself:
http://www.thesilent1.com/longer_hot97_tsunami.mp3
"We are appalled at the lack of sensitivity to the pain and
suffering of the recent South Asian tsunami victims. Miss Jones
and Todd Lynn's broadcast included racially insensitive and
inflammatory statements that encourage hatred and violence
towards people of Asian descent," said
OCA
National President, Ginny Gong. "OCA
calls for their immediate removal from the airwaves and that Hot
97 / WQHT be sanctioned for broadcasting and promoting a program
containing such hateful trash. The use of racial slurs is simply
unacceptable, no matter what one's ethnicity. The public and the
victims of this tragedy deserve better."
"We must continually fight against the use of slurs, bigotry,
and hate speech and hold Miss Jones and Todd Lynn accountable.
As radio personalities, they should have exercised better
judgment," said Christine Chen, OCA Executive Director.
At
Noon on January 25,
OCA-NY
Chapter President Jerry Cheng and
OCA-NY
Chapter Board Member Kai Yu attended a news conference organized
and led by New York City Council Member John C. Liu, along with
The Friends of Jimmy Meng - Democrat for State Assembly; and the
grassroots advocacy group Asian Media Watch. Together, they
denounced the Hot 97 broadcasts and called on the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate this matter and
to take strong disciplinary action against Hot 97.
OCA
National strongly reiterates those sentiments and supports that
request.
OCA denounces the "Tsunami Song" as racist, horribly
insensitive, and finds the seven-line "statement" by the radio
station neither an explanation nor a justification. Instead the
statement was a pathetic excuse and a non-apology.
OCA demands that Hot 97 WQHT FM and its parent
companies - Emmis Radio and Emmis Communications - remove Miss
Jones and Todd Lynn from future broadcasts. Also,
OCA
calls on the FCC to investigate this matter, enforce broadcast
decency standards, and penalize Hot 97 to the harshest extent
under law. OCA will continue to work with all concerned
organizations to achieve these objectives. As always, OCA stands
with those individuals and groups that promote compassion and
diversity, and who are outraged by the denigrating and
dehumanizing message directed at Asians, Africans and Asian
Americans by the Hot 97 "Tsunami Song."
-30-
About
OCA
Founded in 1973, the Organization of Chinese Americans is a
national civil rights advocacy and educational organization
dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic
well-being of Americans of Chinese and Asian/Pacific Islander
descent. With over 80 chapters and affiliates across the
country, it maintains its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
******************
January 26, 2005
NEW AGREEMENT WILL SEND MONTAGNARD REFUGEES BACK TO
VIETNAM
By Kate Woodsome
Phnom Penh
Cambodia, Vietnam, and the U.N. refugee agency have agreed to
resettle or repatriate hundreds of Vietnamese Montagnards living
in camps in Cambodia. The United Nations hopes the pact will
protect the refugees when they return to their home country.
Two days of talks this week yielded a memorandum of
understanding to move about 750 ethnic Montagnards out of
Cambodia and back to Vietnam.
Vietnam pledged that it would not discriminate nor take legal
action against Montagnards who had fled into Cambodia. The U.N.
High Commissioner for Refugees is still negotiating with
Vietnamese officials to be allowed to check on those who return
to Vietnam's Central Highlands.
The president of the Cambodian rights group Adhoc, Thun Saray,
says he worries the agreement could prematurely force the
Montagnards back to a hostile country.
"I think if this agreement will be implemented, I think there
are a lot of problems for the refugee rights, freedoms for the
refugees,” he said. “Because when they are oppressed by the
government in Vietnam, and they cannot move to Cambodia, because
Cambodia will turn them back to Vietnam."
Montagnards are a group of mostly Christian hill tribes that
supported the United States during the Vietnam War. They began
pouring into Cambodia last April after Vietnamese authorities
crushed protests against land confiscation and religious
persecution.
The UNHCR has granted refugee status to more than 100 of them,
but denied the claims of several others. Many refugees are
preparing to accept resettlement offers from the United States,
Finland or Canada.
Others refuse to move anywhere. The Cambodian government feels
those people have overstayed their welcome.
Cambodian officials have indicated the Montagnards will have one
month to decide to return to Vietnam or find another country to
go to.
Although Vietnam has agreed to be easy on the returnees, the
government has not been lenient with Montagnards.
On Wednesday, Vietnam's state-controlled media reported that a
Central Highlands court sentenced three Montagnards to jail for
organizing anti-government protests last year.
One man was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while two others
received 10 years.
The news reports said officials accused the men of being members
of a guerilla group that fought alongside Americans during the
Vietnam War. The reports also said they had received support
from an exile group in the United States to encourage
Montagnards to flee the country.
(http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-01-26-voa41.cfm)
******************
January 27, 2005
HEFLIN’S LAWYER CITES ILLEGAL VOTES IN REPUBLICAN’S LOSS
Associated Press
AUSTIN - Illegal ballots led to the November defeat of longtime
Republican lawmaker Talmadge Heflin, his attorney today told a
legislative panel charged with considering the election
challenge.
Heflin lost his Houston seat in the Texas House to Democrat
Hubert Vo by 33 votes.
In opening arguments, attorney Andy Taylor said most improper
voting came from people living outside the district. He also
claimed some people voted twice, didn't register, had
questionable signatures or weren't U.S. citizens.
"That margin was decided not by those who cast legal ballots in
the race, but by those who cast illegal ballots," Taylor said.
"We're not going to allow people to come in and decide who's
going to represent us when they don't live here."
Vo's attorney questioned the voter information cited by Heflin's
legal team, saying too few people were interviewed to prove the
election should be overturned.
"This matter should be brought to a close at this time as a
matter of public policy," said Larry Veselka, who said Vo
actually won by 37 votes.
Veselka also argued that much of the information from voters
came from telephone interviews and was "inadmissible hearsay."
Thursday's arguments were made before Republican Rep. Will
Hartnett, who has been named "master of discovery" in the case.
Hartnett will make a recommendation to a committee after the
hearing, likely next week. The committee will then make a
recommendation to the full House, which will vote to seat one of
the candidates or call a new election.
Heflin, who has been a fixture in the Texas House for more than
two decades, watched the proceedings from the front of the room,
occasionally taking notes.
"What we're here for today is to determine which votes are legal
and count those, and to determine which votes were illegal and
be sure they're not counted," said Heflin, who chaired the
powerful House budget-writing committee during the 2003 session.
"And when the process is over, the true winner will be
discovered ... and I'm very pleased with how the process is
going."
Vo, a Houston real estate developer, left the proceedings
shortly after opening arguments began to attend the floor
session of the House. Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick on
Thursday appointed the freshman legislator to the Border and
International Affairs and Business and Industry committees.
A refugee from Saigon, Vo became the first Vietnamese Texas
legislator when he was sworn in this month. Vo's win gave the
Democrats a gain of one seat in the House, the first increase
for the party in the chamber since 1972.
Two other challenges by Republican candidates who lost their
races have been dropped.
(http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/special/05/legislature/3011286)
******************
January 28, 2005
ATTACKS TARGET VIETNAMESE
Incidents began in November
By Josh Noel (jnoel@theadvocate.com)
Advocate staff writer
The Baton Rouge Police Department said nearly a dozen attacks on
Vietnamese people in an area around Belaire High School might be
related.
Police spokesman Cpl. Don Kelly said the robberies date back to
November.
However, investigators say Vietnamese people might be targeted
because some victims have been attacked farther west, off
Florida Boulevard, near Sherwood Forest Boulevard.
"That's really what makes us think Asian victims are being
targeted," Kelly said.
Three of the robberies happened in late November, eight in
December and one Sunday, Kelly said.
In most cases, victims have been attacked outside their homes
between 6 p.m. and
midnight
by black and Asian men with guns.
Most often, Kelly said, the attackers have struck as victims
walk from their cars to their homes. The attackers usually take
purses, wallets and cell phones.
Except for one man who was hit in the head Sunday, no one has
been injured in the robberies, Kelly said.
"It's not unusual to have a gang of robbers, maybe four or five,
but only a few are used at a particular time," he said. "But you
don't see a lot of blacks and Asians working together."
Thach Nguyen, the president of Vietnamese-American Community
Association, said both robberies and break-ins have plagued the
Vietnamese neighborhoods off Florida Boulevard that are home to
many of the city's 2,600 immigrants for the last "three or four
months."
"People don't want to go outside at nighttime because they're
scared," he said.
The community has apparently been targeted before in robberies
and burglaries.
During a six-month period in 2002, eight robberies or attempted
robberies were reported in the area. Detectives made arrests in
at least two of the cases.
Nguyen said he would like to see more officers patrolling the
streets at night and more officers who can communicate with
Vietnamese immigrants.
"There's a language barrier," he said. "They don't know how to
talk about what happened."
Kelly said the Police Department agrees that it needs more Asian
officers and has tried to recruit accordingly.
Most of the robberies have happened in an area bound by Little
John Drive to the west, Florida Boulevard to the south, Flannery
Road to the east and Choctaw Drive to the north.
Anyone with information about the robberies or has been
victimized can call robbery detectives at (225) 389-3845.
(http://www.wbrz.com/stories/012805/new_attacks001.shtml)
******************
January 28, 2005
GRANTING A WISH
TO A SLAIN MARINE
Citizenship Conferred on Vietnam Native
By Carol Morell
Washington Post Staff Writer, Page B01
Marine Cpl. Binh Le had three desires in his young life.
He achieved the first when he joined the Marine Corps after his
2002 graduation from Edison High School in Fairfax County. He
hoped that his service would pave the way for the second --
becoming a U.S. citizen -- and that citizenship, in turn, would
help him realize his ultimate goal: bringing his birth parents,
who gave him up for adoption, from Vietnam to live near him in
the United States.
His death last month in Iraq has made his last two wishes
possible.
Yesterday, 55 days after he died while defending his desert base
against a suicide bomber, Le was posthumously awarded U.S.
citizenship in a ceremony at the Navy Annex in Arlington. He was
20.
The parents who gave him life accepted the framed certificate
presented by Eduardo Aguirre, director of U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, and Le's adoptive parents carried it away
to hang in the Northern Virginia home where they raised him.
Seated in the audience was Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), who
is helping obtain citizenship for Le's birth parents. Moran
vowed to file a private bill in Congress if that's what it
takes.
"While he lost his life, he saved the lives of a great many
Marines," said Moran, who arranged expedited visas for Le's
birth parents to attend their son's funeral last month at
Arlington National Cemetery.
"He certainly earned his citizenship," Moran said. "His dream
was to try to get citizenship for his father and mother, too. It
may require an act of Congress. Looking at the unique
circumstances, it's obviously a meritorious case."
About 7,000 active-duty Marines are not U.S. citizens. Since the
start of combat operations in Iraq, 53 other members of the
military have been granted citizenship posthumously.
Yesterday, Le's birth parents spoke of their sorrow and their
pride in the son they saw only once after giving him to
relatives who soon left Vietnam for America.
"I lost a son," said Kim Hoan Phi Nguyen, his birth mother,
speaking through a translator. "But I am proud he served the
United States of America. At least I know he fulfilled his
dream."
Thanh Le, the aunt who adopted Binh Le and raised him as her
son, said: "It is an honor that he is now a citizen. But he is
dead. I loved him so much."
Binh Le was the only child born to Nguyen, a bank accountant,
and Lien Van Tran, a former soldier in the South Vietnamese
army. Tran was sent to a reeducation camp after Saigon fell, and
he became a railroad security guard. The couple had trouble
making ends meet and entrusted their 6-year-old son to the Les,
Tran's childless brother and sister-in-law.
The adoption process in Vietnam involved going to a police
station and filling out a form before a notary, Thanh Le said.
That may be a crucial detail in obtaining citizenship for the
birth parents.
Under
a provision of the 2004 defense authorization bill, foreign
parents of an immigrant who dies in combat have a preferred
status in attaining citizenship. Binh Le's adoption in Vietnam
has complicated matters for his birth parents, who have divorced
and remarried.
"Under normal circumstances, adoption terminates the
relationship," said Christopher B. Rydelek, head of legal
assistance for the judge advocate of the Marine Corps. "The
question is, if it's recognized as legal, and if so, will it be
a bar to both parents in obtaining citizenship?"
Binh Le was an American in all but citizenship. He played in a
Christian rock band and joined his high school's Army Junior
ROTC program.
He was bilingual but unsure of customs in the land he had left
behind. When he visited Vietnam shortly after graduation, Nguyen
recalled, he carried a book outlining Vietnamese manners so he
would not inadvertently offend his elders. She and her former
husband carried photos from that visit that showed Le at his
birthday party, drinking beer with family and cavorting at the
beach.
On that trip, he told his father that he planned to join the
Marines. Tran suggested he try a less-grueling branch, such as
the Air Force.
"He said the Marine Corps was more challenging," Tran recalled
through a translator.
Le had a similar discussion with an uncle, Luong La of Dale
City. "He told me that if everybody takes the easy job, there's
no one to take the hard job," La said.
Le had already served one tour in Iraq, deployed as an
artilleryman during the 2003 invasion. Last fall, he volunteered
for a second deployment.
On Dec. 3, he was at a forward operating base, Camp Terbil, when
a water truck carrying 500 pounds of explosives barreled toward
the camp. Le and Marine Cpl. Matthew A. Wyatt, 21, of Millstadt,
Ill., fired on the vehicle, killing the driver. But the truck
careened into a barrier and exploded, mortally wounding Le and
Wyatt and injuring six other Marines.
"His heroic actions in the face of a horrific attack humble me,
and I will be forever grateful of his heroism," Capt. Chris J.
Curtain, his commanding officer, wrote of Le in an e-mail read
aloud yesterday. Curtain has recommended Le for the Silver Star.
His birth parents know it will be difficult to start life anew
in a country where they do not speak the language. They said
they see it as fulfilling his wishes.
"If I can just be here to visit his gravesite once in awhile,"
Nguyen said, "it would comfort me -- and comfort him knowing I'm
nearby."
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42774-2005Jan27.html)
******************
For Immediate Release
January 28, 2005
Contact: Vana Tran,
202-223-5500
OCA ANNOUNCES 2004-2005 OCA-VERIZON SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Washington, DC - The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA),
a national Asian Pacific American (APA) civil rights advocacy
and educational organization with over 80 chapters and
affiliates nationwide, is pleased to announce the 25 winners for
the 2004 OCA-VERIZON Scholarship. Twenty-five scholarships of
$2,000 each are being awarded to Asian Pacific American students
who are currently in their first year of college. Scholarships
and financial aid are critical in helping students from lower
income families attain a college education.
The APA population is nearly 12 million with a poverty rate of
12.6 percent, compared with 9 percent for non-Hispanic Whites in
1999, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Although APAs are
often made victims of the model minority myth, and thus lack
access to additional financial resources to pay for college,
most APAs do not fit into the highly educated and wealthy
category dictated by this stereotype. The scholarship will
provide opportunities to APA students who wish to pursue higher
education while facing financial difficulties.
"OCA and Verizon are dedicated to education in the APA
community," commented OCA National President Ginny Gong. "Both
recognize the need to provide opportunities to APA students who
do not have access to the financial resources necessary to
pursue higher education."
Within the last eight years, OCA has awarded over 1300
scholarships to financially disadvantaged students through its
various scholarship programs. This is the third year the Verizon
Foundation has provided funding for the OCA scholarships.
"Education has always been a high priority in the Asian Pacific
American community." noted Christine Chen, OCA Executive
Director. "Although the average level of education for APAs is
high, the statistics are misleading. There are many members of
our community who have advanced degrees, yet there are countless
more APAs who are unable to attend college because of financial
difficulties. Through our many scholarships - including the
OCA-Verizon Scholarship - OCA is committed to granting deserving
APA students a chance they otherwise would not get."
"Verizon recognizes the importance of investing in the future of
our youth and we are pleased to again fund this scholarship
program" commented Vincent Young, Director of External Affairs
at Verizon. "We salute the 25 scholarship winners for their
achievements."
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon
Communications, supports a variety of programs that focus on
improving basic and computer literacy, bridging the digital
divide, enriching communities through technology and creating a
skilled work force. The foundation promotes partnerships in
technology with organizations serving the needs of diverse
communities, people with disabilities, and the economically and
socially disadvantaged. For more information on the foundation,
visit
www.verizon.com/foundation.
OCA is pleased to announce the 25 winners of the OCA-VERIZON
Scholarship:
Elizabeth JooAnn Bierlein (Korean American) is from
Augean, Mississippi. Elizabeth has been a positive contributor
to society through community service to her local church,
caroling at nursery homes, clean-up at local camps, and food
distributions to the less fortunate. At school, she was elected
senior class president, president of the National Honor Society,
and was an active player on her varsity soccer team. Elizabeth
also led a "destination imagination" team, which enjoyed their
status as a global finalist. She currently attends Cedarville
University in Cedarville, Ohio.
Stacy Nohealani Boschee (Japanese-Chinese American) is
from Colorado Springs, Colorado. As valedictorian of her high
school, Stacy has excelled in the areas of US History, Biology,
English, Calculus, Physics, and US Government. On top of her
rigorous academic schedule, she was also the treasurer of the
National Honor Society, president of the French Club, and was an
active member of the student council. Outside of school, Stacy
enjoys figure skating and has already completed the first five
levels. Her current academic home is in Fort Collins, Colorado
where she attends the Colorado State University.
Yadnaphalay Chanthaseny (Laotian American) is from Fort
Smith, Arizona. Yadna currently attends the University of
Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In a never-ending pursuit to
gain knowledge, she was determined to excel in her lessons while
simultaneously helping her community. She was an active
volunteer, giving her time to organizations such as the
Salvation Army, Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as Make a
Difference day. Already balancing a hectic schedule as a high
school student, Yadna taught traditional Thai dances to young
girls and is honored that they look up to her as a role model.
Lulu Chen (Chinese American) is from Saint Charles,
Missouri. Through the inspiration of her high school History
teacher, Lulu realized she wanted to pursue a degree in Law.
Lulu was an active member of the National Honor Society, Math
club, Science club, Spanish club, and was editor of the school
newspaper. The constant love and support she receives from her
family is the main driver behind her drive to succeed. She
currently attends the University of Missouri in Rolla.
Kalen Cheng (Chinese American) is from Keokuk, Iowa. To
be a great leader, Kalen understood that there is a delicate
balance between directing group effectively and to remain
levelheaded when faced with a crisis. Through her past school
activities in the French club, soccer team, theatre, speech as
well as the student council. Kalen has proved her leadership
skills by being honored with the Rotary Leadership award.
Outside of school, she spends her time doing outreach and
charity work involving various types of fundraisers, donating
food and clothing, and a mission trip to Australia. Kalen is now
a student at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.
Jennifer Samson Cruz (Filipina American) is from
Chattanooga, Tennessee. Jennifer recognized the importance of
giving back to her community, so she was determined to make a
difference by dedicating her time to the March of Dimes walk,
Special Olympics, her local hospital, and a many other charity
services. She also enjoys activities that compliment her own
lifestyle, such as the school cheerleading and volleyball team.
Jennifer has received a large sum of awards and continues to
strive for academic excellence at Xavier University in
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Theresa Lan Do (Vietnamese American) is from South Bend,
Indiana. A pre-med at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida,
Theresa has cultivated a set of strong academic morals, which
has blossomed since her high school career. While in high
school, Theresa participated in a plethora of extra-curricular
activities, through which she has gained a greater sense of self
as well as various leadership skills. Theresa says the support
and love received from her family is what drives her to try and
make a difference in this world.
Katrina Sakura Duell (Japanese American) is from Tacoma,
Washington. Being fully aware that education is a luxury that
some take for granted, Katrina understood the importance of
knowledge and how that will shape her future. She stresses that
education is a stronghold in her life, but makes sure that she
achieves an optimal balance between her extra-curricular
activities and her academic work. Katrina was a member of her
school swim, tennis, and bowling teams as well as a number of
other school clubs. Other activities she thoroughly enjoys are
piano lessons and her church youth group. Katrina currently
attends the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
Shilpa Gadwal (Indian American) is from Mitchellville,
Maryland. A current student of the University of Maryland in
Baltimore, Shilpa's strong academic ethics has been ingrained in
his mind since he was very young. In high school, Shilpa earned
an impressive number of honors and awards, which included:
student of the year, the perfect attendance award, and the
national honor roll. Outside of school, Shilpa spends her time
volunteering as a math tutor, helping the school's blood drive,
and cleaning the school's graffiti. In the future, she hopes to
pursue a doctorate degree in the field of microbiology.
Jihye Ha (Korean American) is from Berrien Springs,
Michigan. Jihye is fully aware of the sacrifices that her
parents have made on behalf of her and her brother. She uses
this as a guiding light in her pursuit of a career as a medical
doctor. She understands that a person must not only be developed
in academics, but also in other aspects: socially, personally,
and spiritually. Thus, on top of her studies, she participates
in a number of extracurricular activities, works part time, and
does volunteer work for many different organizations.
David Burton Hanohano Iaea (Chinese-Hawaiian American) is
from San Diego, California. David currently attends New York
University earning a Biology degree in hopes of becoming a
doctor. He was touched by the experiences in his internship and
has been driven to pursue a career in assisting others. He has
been a dedicated to the science club, computer club, debate
team, and interact service club. Apart from these activities he
also volunteers at various organizations promoting a better
society.
Mohammed Ismail Ibrahim (Bangladeshi American) is from
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As president of the Association of
Asian American Students of his high school, Mohammed has gained
experience as a leader as well as a team-player. Aside from his
school activities, he enjoys tutoring children and volunteering
at the local mosque as a religious coordinator. He currently
attends Pennsylvania State University.
Kongchay Kaomixay (Laotian American) is from Bakersfield,
California. Kongchay is currently a student at the University of
California, Davis. A very driven and motivated individual,
Kongchay has proven her academic abilities by exceeding in her
GATE, advanced placement, and honors courses. Her school
activities include the school's softball team as well as the
school newspaper. Kongchay was also an active member in
promoting Teens against Tobacco Usage.
Anna Rose Kimball (Korean American) is from Waterloo,
Iowa. As valedictorian of her high school, Anna has maintained
an impressive academic record as well as a hefty resume of
extracurricular activities. In high school, she was a part of
the high school soccer and volleyball team. In her spare time,
she enjoys water skiing and also works at a gift store. Anna is
currently a student at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City.
Cho Hin Lam (Chinese American) is from Wilmington,
Delaware. Cho has earned a remarkable array of awards,
recognizing him in the distinguished honor roll, national honor
society, as well as the math league. He was captain of the cross
county team as well as the outdoor track and field team. Cho has
earned over 40 college credits prior to his acceptance into
college, giving him a head start to his future. He currently
attends Pennsylvania State University.
Misao Jacqueline Laux (Japanese American) is from
Pacific, Washington. Misao is currently a student at Gonzaga
University, in Spokane, WA. She enjoys participating in school
sports, and was a member of the Tennis team for four years.
Misao received awards such as the scholar athlete award, Jill
Wilson Memorial award, as well as recognition from the honors
society club. She hopes to earn a degree in biochemistry and one
day give back to her community by applying the knowledge that
she has gained.
Le Ri Liang (Chinese-Japanese American) is from Gilroy,
California. Le Ri currently attends the University of
California, Davis. She was an active member of her school's
international club, senior class treasurer, FBLA, and the Asian
Pacific Islanders' Club. Le Ri is among the gold elite in the
national honor roll, and has earned recognition in the Who's Who
of High School Students award. Already maintaining an awesome
amount of activities, she makes sure that she still has time to
volunteer feeing the homeless as well as coordinate blood
drives.
Qi Qiao (Kathy) Lu (Chinese American) is from
Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Qi Qiao attends Vanderbilt University
in Nashville, Tennessee. While in school, she has committed her
time to the Science Club year-round. However, while outside
school, Qi Qiao is just as involved. She has accumulated an
outstanding number of awards including 1st place in the regional
bridge building contest as well an Outstanding Woman in
Mathematics and Science Award. In addition, she received honors
by the Tennessee Governor's school for the Sciences.
Christin Pansawira (Chinese American) is from Union City,
California. Spending twelve years in a country where freedom was
non-existent, Christin has been very grateful for her
opportunity to gain an academic career in America. She as proved
her ability to excel both academically and socially by her many
activities in school. Christin has done volunteer work at Kaiser
Permanente and the volunteer income tax assistance. Aside from
her volunteer activities, Christin enjoys spending her time at
the local Alvarado Elementary school tutoring at the Kids First
program. She is pursuing her academics further at the University
of California, Berkeley.
Bina Arvind Patel (Indian American) is from Chicago,
Illinois. Bina is currently attending Northeastern Illinois
University, in Chicago, Illinois. Not only was she an active
member of many notable clubs at his high school, she made sure
that she had time to volunteer and spend time with her family.
Bina has volunteered for the Special Olympics and enjoys
tutoring children in her spare time. She hopes to pursue a
career as a Pharmacist to give thanks to her parents for all
their sacrifices as well as for herself.
Dipika Ramanlal Patel (Indian American) is from Chicago
Illinois. Determined to succeed in life, Dipika did not chose
the easy way out when faced with the decision to go to a college
preparatory high school or the local community high school. She
wanted to challenge herself, and prove that she had the ability
to excel even when faced with the most difficult curriculum. To
prove this point further, Dipika joined the school's Key Service
Club, Desi ethnic club, and was recognized in the Chinese
National Honor Society. Dipika is currently a student at
University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Regina Prum (Cambodian American) is from Fresno,
California. Regina currently attends the California State
University of Fresno. In high school, she was an editor of the
school newspaper, member of the California Scholarship
Federation, and a Link Crew student facilitator. Regina worked
as a tutor helping students with English or Math and also as a
student interpreter helping parents who did not speak English.
Benz Terranitayatarn (Thai-Chinese American) is from
Romoland, California. Benz owns a striking resume of activities,
honors, and community services. She is was a member of Key Club,
French Club, New Life Club, CSF, Impact Plus Leadership, just to
name a few. Amazingly, Benz still had time to do community work,
volunteering for the American Cancer Society, local beach
clean-ups, annual teens at the table conference, and the Thai
town USA newspaper. Benz is a current student at Lake Forest
College, in Lake Forest, California.
Jason Larry Wolfe (Korean American) is from Parkersburg,
West Virginia. Jason currently attends the Mount Vernon Nazarene
University in Mount Vernon in hopes of becoming a minister. He
has been an active player in his school football and basketball
team, church volleyball team, and baseball for recreation. His
dedication to his church is seen in his position as vice
president and secretary for the youth council. Jason has also
been involved in a vocal ministry group, IMPACT, where he has
traveled to different churches in the northern district of West
Virginia.
Jennifer Xiong (Hmong American) is from Atwater,
California. Jennifer has maintained a good balance between her
extracurricular activities, work, community service, and
academic work. In high school, she was enrolled in six advanced
placements courses as well as two honors classes. Her work
history included a cashier position for the Santa Cruz Seaside
Company and volunteer work for the non-profit organization,
Habitat for Humanity. She currently attends the University of
California, Davis.
For more information on OCA's scholarship programs and an
application for OCA's 2005-2006 scholarships, students may visit
OCA's website at
www.ocanatl.org.
The Organization of Chinese Americans, a national civil rights
organization with over 80 chapters and affiliates across the
country, was founded in 1973 to ensure the civil rights of the
Asian Pacific American community. It maintains its headquarters
in Washington, D.C
******************
January 28, 2005
EFFORTS TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN VIETNAM GAINS MOMENTUM,
SUPPORTERS
Viet Weekly, News Report
Annie Han Nguyen
A recent report on human trafficking by the U.S. State
Department, which identified Vietnam as a country where the
problem is serious, has mobilized hundreds of local, state and
national organizations to work together to raise awareness and
eliminate the problem, which some people have equated with
modern-day slavery.
The "Trafficking in Persons Report" conducted by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services was released in June.
Among the national, nonprofit organizations that have quickly
moved to action is the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center,
based in Washington, D.C.
SEARAC Executive Director Max Niedzwiecki believes the
re-election of President George W. Bush will help tremendously
in the elimination of human trafficking.
“The Bush administration has taken this issue on,” Niedzwiecki
said. “Human trafficking is an issue this administration wants
to be remembered as part of its legacy.”
SEARAC, now in its 25-year of operation, has spearheaded a
proposal to the Office of Refugee Resettlement in October, in
light of the human-trafficking report.
The 273-page human-trafficking report classifies Vietnam under a
special watch list, because the country does not comply with the
minimum international standards for eliminating trafficking, but
it is making "significant efforts" to do so.
The report assesses and divides every country in the world into
three categories using a tier system. Starting with a marginal
or least serious case of human trafficking, the system begins
with Tier 1. Tier 3 is the most serious level a country can be
classified under, due to its lack of compliance with
international minimum standards to combat trafficking in
persons.
Niedzwiecki said the U.S. State Department has a difficult time
in identifying the exact number of victims of trafficking in
countries like Vietnam for various reasons. The United States
only has a few cities that specifically reach out to Southeast
Asians, which could be a major reason that few victims have been
identified and assisted at all by Americans.
Niedzwiecki said victims also have trouble identifying
themselves to receive proper relief, because they don’t
understand the governmental and judicial systems in the United
States. Victims fear incarceration and deportation, because they
are not documented when they arrive in the United States. They
are unable to argue and defend that they are indeed victims of
trafficking. Many victims also feel too ashamed to come forward
to receive help from the U.S. or other non-profit organizations.
Last month a Radio Bolsa program in Orange County, Calif.,
reportedly described young people of both sexes in Vietnam who
are sold into slavery in Taiwan, sometimes with the complicity
of Vietnamese authorities.
Linh Muc Nguyen Van Hung of the Radio Bolsa report alleged that
girls and young women are sold as wives and guest-workers. They
are often coerced into signing away most of their salaries in
the form of bonds to the Vietnamese government officials.
Niedziecki said he could not verify the numbers or confirm the
facts that were mentioned in the Radio Bolsa report.
In addition to the recent SEARAC proposal, other volunteer
efforts and non-profit organizations are continuing to pursue
this human rights issue, including the National Congress of
Vietnamese Americans, based in Washington, D.C., and the
Houston-based Boat People SOS.
SEARAC is not working officially with any Vietnamese-American
organization to combat the human trafficking problem in Vietnam,
Niedzwiecki said.
The recent “Trafficking in Persons Report” can be found on the
U.S. State Department Web site,
www.state.gov.
(http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=6d690e5049f5c1f50f621ecb99e1a5d6)
******************
January 28, 2005
REPORT: MALDEN ASIAN POPULATION GROWING, BUT MOST DON'T VOTE
By Timothy J. Lavallee and Cyndi Roy/
malden@cnc.com
Asian Americans in Malden have the power to choose their
leaders, but a recent study shows many are choosing not to vote.
The study by the Institute for Asian American Studies at UMass
Boston reviewed the voting characteristics of Asian American
citizens of voting age in 11 Massachusetts cities and towns and
found many are not registered to vote.
As the city is about to engage in another local election this
year, about 18 percent of the total adult population in Malden
are Asian Americans, which is second only to Lowell in the
state. There are 3,787 Asian Americans in Malden eligible to
vote and yet only 1,670 are registered, which translates to 44.1
percent registered.
Researchers at UMass Boston say the Asian American population in
Massachusetts faces a "voter registration gap," that is costing
the group 30,000 votes each year in the 11 communities.
According to the report, Asian Americans make up a 6 percent of
the share of eligible voters, but constitute just 4.2 percent of
the registered voters in the communities studied.
There's no ready explanation for the gap in Malden, which shows
that less than half of the Asian Americans eligible to vote are
registered while nearly 74 percent of the total population of
citizens of voting age in Malden are registered to vote.
"I'm not quite aware of why they are not voting," said the
Chinese Cultural Connection's Mei Hung. It could be because of
the voting traditions in many of the Asian countries of origin,
"or because their English is not good enough to vote, or know
enough to vote about the candidates."
Hung also speculated on another reason, "One reason is because
let's say the candidate is an English speaker, and they don't
reach out to the population. They don't feel welcomed."
One-time City Council candidate Richard Cheng, who heads the
Great Wall Center and the Malden Asian Pacific American
Coalition, said he discovered that many people aren't interested
in local politics.
"People do not know enough to make a good judgment. Local
elections are less appealing to more centralized governments,"
Cheng said. "Second or third generations would be interested in
state or federal politics than in local Malden politics."
It also has to do with the individual interests of Asian
Americans living in Malden. Cheng said people are more likely to
follow a hot election in Taipei, Taiwan covered by
Chinese-language newspapers than to follow the nuances of a City
Council election.
"You need to have more local media. Asian newspapers often don't
have the capacities or the interest in reporting the local
politics. That is one barrier that I am seeing," he said.
Some say they are seeing the trend shift in Malden.
"That is changing. That is changing rapidly," said At-large
Councilor Marty Gately. "The people that I do talk to are
registering. I probably registered more Vietnamese people than
any other country."
Gately sponsored a paper in 2003 that allowed local residents to
display the South Vietnamese flag in Malden.
Teachers at the Immigrant Learning Center do emphasize voting
and other citizenship rights as part of the overall curriculum
of teaching English to adults, said Development Director Kathy
Smith.
"We very much stress to them that as part of their citizenship
that this is their opportunity. We have found that when they
become citizens they do vote. They don't take anything for
granted," she said. "With anything else, they have to learn how
to navigate the system. We have to get them to trust the
process. It takes time to generate trust and build awareness.
They are here in force and they are a constituency."
Others say it's a matter of cultural differences, especially
language, or a lack of knowledge of the U.S. voting system
compared to the one if any in someone's country of birth.
Ward 4 City Councilor Jeff Donahue said many Asian Americans
live in his ward, and yet Ward 4 has the lowest voter turnout of
all eight wards, and it regularly registers the highest number
of blanks, or non-votes, in the various races on any ballot.
"You're looking at the numbers and they're just amazing,"
Donahue said.
It's been difficult for him to connect with Asian Americans in
his ward.
"I've tried to reach out. I didn't just use the voters list," he
said. He's knocked on doors all over his ward. "I've had people
just stare at me from inside the house and not come to the
door."
Even at public events, Donahue said he feels as though he can't
connect with Asian Americans.
"The only time I see the Asian population is Fourth of July in
the park or at my Ward 4 Christmas party. You could walk up to
them and try to start a conversation, but they are there for the
kids," he said.
It's not that Malden's Asian community is unwilling to talk, it
may be that they aren't confident doing so.
"Language barrier may always be an issue. There may be people
who can speak English, but may not be comfortable talking about
politics," Cheng said.
Also, many Asians came to the U.S. to escape overbearing
governments, and answering the door for a government worker
might mean trouble.
"Many people see government as someone who could turn their life
upside down if they do it wrong," Cheng said.
It's not just a ward councilor issue. Gately has tried to reach
out to Asian Americans in this city, mainly through clients.
"How you do it is just like any other. You get a contact in the
organization and they introduce you to your friends," Gately
said.
The report argues that Asian Americans could use their swift
population growth to gain political power, but are missing that
opportunity by failing to register.
"Rapid growth is the foundation for enhanced Asian American
political participation and influence," according to the report.
"To take full advantage of the growing Asian American presence,
however, the voter eligibility and voter registration gaps must
be closed or turned around."
In Malden, if all of the eligible Asian Americans registered to
vote, that would mean 3,787 Asian Americans would vote in the
city, that's 10 percent of the voting age citizens.
In addition to Malden, the report looked at the Asian population
in 10 other cities and towns including Boston, Brookline,
Cambridge, Lowell, Lynn, Newton, Quincy, Somerville, Waltham and
Worcester, which all have more than 4,000 voting.
Researchers conclude that a major obstacle to increasing the
number of registered voters lies in citizenship requirements.
Ethnic minorities born in America are automatic citizens and can
register to vote at age 18, but most Asian Americans are
foreign-born and do not seek citizenship as frequently as other
groups, the report says.
(http://www2.townonline.com/malden/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=173378)
******************
January 31, 2005
BONE
MARROW MATCHES HARD FOR MULTIRACIAL
By Erin Texeira
Associated Press
Luke Do was a lively 18-month-old awaiting the birth of his
first sibling when he was diagnosed with a rare form of
leukemia. The hopes of his parents, both doctors in San Jose,
Calif., immediately turned to a bone marrow transplant, but they
soon learned some distressing news - Luke's ethnic heritage made
him a tough match.
Sarah Gaskins, Luke's mother, has Japanese and European
ancestors and his father, Lam Do, is Vietnamese-American.
Because bone marrow matches usually are made with a relative or
someone with the same racial or ethnic background as the
patient, multiracial people rarely have success.
"It's tragic," said Lam Do, who specializes in internal
medicine. "Your chance of finding a donor is so low, it's like
winning the lottery. And most people are unaware of this."
For years, the medical community has pushed for increased donor
registry among racial minorities to improve survival rates for
leukemia, lymphoma and other blood diseases. But to the general
public, the situation is little known.
Only 2 percent of those who list their ancestry with the
National Marrow Donor Program are multiracial, though the NMDP
will - for the first time - study multiracial patients' medical
records this year to better understand what kind of marrow
tissue they tend to inherit from their parents. The group also
will try to more effectively recruit new potential donors, said
Helen Ng, an NMDP spokeswoman.
"Using the patient information we have access to, we're trying
to understand a little better the issues they face," said Ng,
whose group, with 5.6 million potential donors registered, has
the largest such list in the world.
Matt Kelley, president of Mavin Foundation, a Seattle-based
advocacy group for multiracial people, says the inattention to
the problem reflects society's reluctance to accept today's
increasingly complex racial landscape.
"It's a headache," said Kelley, whose group has an ongoing bone
marrow program. "The reality is that many organizations are
afraid of addressing race period - they don't feel competent or
comfortable - and when it comes to addressing mixed heritage
issues, they don't want to go there, either."
Today, whites in need of a bone marrow transplant have about a
90 percent chance of finding a match, said Dr. Patrick Beatty,
an oncologist with the Montana Cancer Specialists in Missoula,
Mont., who researches ancestry and bone marrow. For those who
aren't white, "your chances of getting a match are pretty
remote," he said.
The biological reason has to do with the body's response to
infections, Beatty said. Because the world's ancient peoples
were exposed to different diseases over millennia, each group
developed different tissue antigens, substances that help fight
illness.
The descendants of these peoples retain those highly varied
tissue antigens, he said, making it tough to match the bone
marrow of individuals from different ancestries.
Luke Do's family was elated when, about six months after his
diagnosis, they learned a marrow match had been found for the
boy with a Japanese-American police officer in Seattle.
Luke struggled for months after the transfusion, nearly dying
three times, but hung on in the end. Now the Dos are making
plans for him to start kindergarten in the fall - and to
celebrate the third anniversary of his transplant on March 18.
The Rivera family of Los Altos, Calif., is still hoping for a
similar happy ending.
Chris Rivera, 24, has fought leukemia with chemotherapy for six
years. Chris, who also has Down Syndrome, thrived until last
October when he was diagnosed with a more lethal form of the
blood cancer. He desperately needs a bone marrow transplant
within the next year, according to his mother, Kathy Rivera.
"It's so sad, but he's not a very good candidate for a match and
it has nothing to do with the fact that he has Down Syndrome,"
she said. "It's because my husband is Puerto Rican and I'm of
northern European heritage."
Like many others, the family is scouring the community, posting
messages on the Internet and praying that a match will be found.
They regularly help organize bone marrow registry drives, hoping
one will beat the odds and turn up the right tissue.
Much of this activity is taking place in Northern California,
home to half of the 10 U.S. cities with the highest percentages
of multiracial individuals, according to Census 2000. The cities
include Hayward, Stockton and Daly City.
Nationwide, Census data counted about 7 million people of
multiracial heritage - the first time an option was available to
check more than one racial category. Mavin organizers estimate
that number is closer to 10 million.
Within that group, there are millions of possible ethnic mixes,
and therefore millions of potential challenges for someone
seeking a bone marrow match. Complicating the situation further,
research shows that minorities have greater tissue variation
than whites. Africans and their descendants globally have the
most variation of any population in the world, "many, many more
tissue types than Caucasians," Beatty said, adding that current
research is focusing on finding matches with umbilical cord
blood and developing matching tissues through engineering.
"Many (multiracial) people have very little contact with
entities that recognize them correctly," said Kelley of Mavin,
adding that this typically results in hurt feelings and a sense
of social isolation. "We don't have that luxury when it comes to
people's health."
---
On the Net:
Mavin Foundation:
http://www.mavinfoundation.org
National Marrow Donor Program:
http://www.marrow.org
(http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/thrive/2005/jan/30/013003133.html)
******************
January 31, 2005
VIETNAM RELEASES TWO HIGH-PROFILE DISSIDENTS FROM JAIL IN
LUNAR
NEW YEAR AMNESTY
MARGIE MASON, Associated Press Writer
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- Vietnam announced Monday that it would
release two of its best-known dissidents from prison following
intense pressure from international human rights groups and the
United States.
Roman Catholic priest Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, 58, and physician
Nguyen Dan Que, 63, were set to be freed along with 8,323 other
prisoners before the Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, which
begins Feb. 9, Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang announced at a
press conference.
Both have been outspoken advocates of religious freedom and
democracy and have openly criticized the government for its poor
human rights record. Five other inmates jailed for violating
national security laws were also released.
"We are absolutely delighted at this turn of events," said Jared
Genser, of Washington-based Freedom Now, an organization that
represented the two dissidents' families. "It's clear Nguyen Dan
Que and Father Nguyen Van Ly benefited from a massive push from
around the world to secure their releases."
Ly angered Vietnamese authorities when he gave written testimony
in 2001 to the U.S. Commission on International Religious
Freedom urging the United States not to ratify a bilateral trade
agreement until the communist government improved its human
rights record.
He was sentenced the same year to 15 years in prison, but the
term was reduced to 10 years in 2003. His case drew attention
from the U.S. Congress, and Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas sent
a letter to the Vietnamese government earlier this month calling
for Ly's release.
"This is a move in the right direction," Brownback told The
Associated Press in a telephone interview. "But the Vietnamese
government still has a lot of work to do to ensure very basic
human rights and religious freedom."
He said the U.S. Congress would continue to press Hanoi on the
issue, which will remain "a big bump in the road" between the
two countries' expanding relations if Vietnam's human rights
record does not improve.
Meanwhile, 54 U.S. lawmakers sent letters in October to
President Tran Duc Luong calling for Que's release. A month
later, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said his
detention violated international civil rights laws.
Que, a former Nobel Peace Prize nominee, has been in and out of
jail for nearly 20 years since 1978.
His latest arrest was in 2003, days after he had written
articles posted on the Internet criticizing government curbs on
the media. He was sentenced to 30 months in jail for "abusing
democratic rights to infringe upon the interests of the State."
Others granted amnesty included Nguyen Dinh Van Long and Nguyen
Dinh Huy, pro-democracy advocates jailed for attempting to
overthrow the communist government; Thich Thien Minh, a Buddhist
monk who belongs to the outlawed Unified Buddhist Church of
Vietnam for participating in activities that encourage that the
government be overthrown and Pham Minh Canh, jailed for
criticizing the government; and Nguyen Long Sy, also jailed for
attempting to overthrow the government.
London-based Amnesty International was delighted to hear of the
releases, especially of "the big four" -- Que, Ly, Huy and Minh.
"Those four have been incarcerated for a total of 88 years since
the late 1970s. Given the harsh conditions, it's remarkable that
they're all still alive," said Daniel Alberman, an Amnesty
researcher familiar with their cases. "These outspoken old men,
I don't think they're going to change their ways, so I hope the
authorities will allow them to exercise their rights of freedom
of expression."
Last year, the State Department ranked Vietnam as one of the
most repressive countries in the world for religious freedom.
Only a handful of government-approved religions are allowed to
operate in Vietnam, but several outlawed churches continue to
exist. Hanoi maintains that no one is jailed for their religious
beliefs.
(http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2005/01/31/international0704EST0508.DTL)
******************
About NCVA
Founded in 1986, the National Congress of Vietnamese
Americans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community advocacy
organization working to advance the cause of Vietnamese
Americans in a plural but united America – e pluribus unum –
by participating actively and fully as civic minded citizens
engaged in the areas of education, culture and civil
liberties.
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