NCVA REPORTER
- December 29, 2004
In this NCVA Reporter:
Events
Funding Opportunities
Jobs/Internships
Tips/Resources
News
******************
EVENTS
CAMBODIAN MEDICAL RELIEF MISSION – MARCH 18 – APRIL 2, 2005
December 27, 2004
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
On behalf of the Vietnamese American Medical Association (VAMA),
we are writing to ask for your generosity and support of the
Cambodian Medical Relief Mission. The Mission, organized by the
World Health Ambassador (WHA) Program of the VAMA, will take
place from March 18 to
April 2, 2005. The WHA Program has recently been established by
the VAMA to provide medical relief efforts to communities
throughout the world that are in desperate need of medical and
dental assistance. The Program seeks to offer medical and
dental care to underserved communities overseas, regardless of
ethnicity or religion, and to assist in medical relief efforts
for natural disasters in the United States.
The WHA Program comprises of several core components,
including: 1) Health Advisory Team – which analyzes the
medical needs of underserved overseas communities and
formulating healthcare plans; 2) International Medical Relief
Group – which performs overseas medical and dental missions;
3) Emergency Relief Team – which assists with natural
disaster relief efforts and other medical needs within the U.S.;
4) Medical Support Team – which provides the logistics to
the various operations mentioned above.
The Cambodia Medical Relief Mission is the inaugural project of
the WHA’s International Medical Relief Group. We plan to bring
a health care team of physicians, dentists, nurses, computer
specialists, and other professionals to provide medical and
dental treatments to the Cambodian and Vietnamese living in
several villages outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. During the
late 1970s, Cambodia suffered one of the worst atrocities in
human history. Over 20% of the population was killed. Since
then, while Cambodia has been on the path of recovery, it
remains among the “poorest of the poor” Southeast Asian
countries. Many living in Cambodia are in extreme need of basic
medical and dental care but are not able to obtain such
treatment.
As part of our mission, we intend to screen, diagnose, and treat
approximately 2,500 people during our 14-day mission. While in
Cambodia, we will work closely with the local health providers
as well as key community leaders and professionals, sharing with
them our medical and scientific knowledge and providing to them
recommendations on the appropriate approaches to deliver health
care to people in under-developed countries. Since the
inception of the WHA Program just a short time ago, we have been
very gratified by the overwhelming interest in this project. To
date, over thirty professionals have volunteered to serve on
this Cambodian mission. Additional volunteers have been placed
on our alternate list.
The Vietnamese American Medical Association was established in
1987 as a non-profit organization for physicians of Vietnamese
heritage who live and practice in the United States. During the
past decades, membership in the VAMA has grown tremendously to
include not only members who graduated from medical schools in
Vietnam but also members who have graduated from medical schools
in the United States. Many members of the VAMA currently are
respected professors at universities and medical centers across
America, including Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Duke,
University of California at San Francisco, while others are
leaders in the communities across America, providing health care
to patients of all ethnic backgrounds.
In recent years, the VAMA has been very active in activities
such as conducting hepatitis screening for Asian American in Los
Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia,
Dallas, and other cities; granting scholarship to outstanding
Vietnamese American medical students in the US; organizing
health fairs in many U.S. cities to screen for hypertension,
diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, dental abnormalities, visual
disabilities; supporting other organizations whose mission is to
improve quality health care for people of all ethnic
backgrounds, especially members from Southeast Asian countries;
and most recently, creating the World Health Ambassador
Program. The VAMA is proud to be the sponsor for this Cambodian
Mission through its WHA Program.
The diverse, large number of service-oriented activities
sponsored by the VAMA has led to the establishment of the
Vietnamese American Medical Association Foundation, an integral
component of the VAMA that has achieved full tax-exempt status
under section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Any
contribution that is made to the VAMA Foundation for the WHA
Program and the Cambodian Medical Relief Mission is deductible
under section 170 of the code.
We are asking for your pledge and support of the Cambodian
Medical Relief Mission. We do need significant amount of
medical supplies, medications, equipments, airfare and cargo
freight subsidies, and financial support to accomplish our goals
and make the Mission most fruitful and productive. Please be
certain that every piece of supply and every dollar you provide
to support this Mission will be used in the most effective and
appropriate manner. The WHA Program is managed entirely by the
many generous professionals of different fields who are willing
to devote time, energy, and expertise to support the program.
We do not have any overhead cost to cover or any salary to
support. Everything we get and every amount we receive will be
used toward this Cambodian Mission – for the thousands of
patients who are waiting for us in Phnom Penh. Please help us
as much as you can, as we cannot do it without your generosity.
We can give our time and professional service, but we need your
help for the people in Cambodia. Please find the attached
contribution form to indicate the item(s) you wish to contribute
to our Cambodian Mission.
On behalf of the Cambodian and Vietnamese people living in the
villages where our Mission will take us, we would like to thank
you from our heart for your consideration of our request. We
are very grateful for the lives that we have enjoyed in America
and are looking forward, with your kindness, compassion, and
support, to assist the many people who are less fortunate than
we are, living in poverty and substandard health care.
May this Holiday Season and the Year of 2005 bring to you and
your family happiness, peace, prosperity, and most importantly,
good health.
With Warmest Regards,
Quan Dong Nguyen, M.D., M.Sc.
President
Vietnamese American Medical Association
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Thien Minh Do, M.D, F.A.C.C.
Vice President
Vietnamese American Medical Association
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
Georgetown University Medical Center
(www.whausa.org)
(www.ncvaonline.org)
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE
RETIREMENT SAVINGS
$4 Million Investment Will Seek Achievable Solutions to Help
Build Personal Retirement Savings, With Special Emphasis on
Moderate-Income Americans
PHILADELPHIA (AScribe Newswire) -- As millions of Americans
approach retirement without adequate financial resources, The
Pew Charitable Trusts today announced a new initiative to
encourage policies to help Americans increase their personal
retirement savings.
The Trusts' $3.8 million, two-year investment will promote
policies that can gain broad public and private-sector support
to raise participation rates in 401(k)-type plans, strengthen
retirement savings tax incentives and create new avenues for
savings. The Retirement Security Project is a partnership with
Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute and directed by
Peter Orszag, Ph.D., senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Its bipartisan advisory board includes former officials in the
Nixon, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton
administrations.
"Most Americans say they are worried about not having enough
money for retirement - and for good reason," said Rebecca W.
Rimel, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pew
Charitable Trusts. "America's baby boom generation will soon
begin retiring and the vast majority has little or no 'nest
egg.' While Medicare and Social Security reform is hotly
debated, there is broad consensus that Americans simply don't
have enough personal savings to ensure safe and healthy
retirements. The Trusts and our partners will work to move
forward on bipartisan solutions, focusing on ways to help
moderate-income Americans, who are already financially stretched
and less likely to be adequately prepared for retirement."
Experts estimate that a couple earning $45,000 per year will
need nearly $200,000 in savings in addition to Social Security
to maintain their standard of living in retirement. Yet half of
American households nearing retirement age have $10,000 or less
in an employment-based 401(k)-type plan or IRA, and Social
Security benefits now average only slightly more than $10,000
per year.
"America has one of the lowest personal savings rates in the
industrialized world," said Dr. Orszag. "We know enough based on
previous studies that we can significantly increase the personal
savings rate by reducing barriers to saving and by strengthening
incentives. We can help millions of Americans prepare for
retirement through the commonsense, achievable reforms the
Retirement Security Project will advance."
The policy options on which the Retirement Security Project will
focus include: " Encouraging automatic enrollment in 401(k)-type
plans, which dramatically increases participation in these
retirement savings vehicles.
* Enabling a portion of tax refunds to be deposited directly
into retirement savings accounts.
* Calling attention to the potential impact of strengthening the
"Saver's Credit," enacted in 2001 and currently scheduled to
expire in 2006.
* Promoting low-cost IRAs, which have low contribution
requirements and administrative fees to give modest-income
Americans an affordable, tax-preferred way to save.
The project's advisory board includes respected economists,
policy experts and legal scholars, including Bruce Bartlett,
senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis and a
former official in the Reagan White House and the Treasury
Department in the George H.W. Bush Administration; Michael J.
Graetz, Yale Law School professor and former Treasury official
in the Nixon and George H.W. Bush Administrations; Dan Halperin,
Harvard Law School professor and former Treasury official during
the Carter Administration; Robert E. Rubin, director of
Citigroup and former Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton
Administration; John Shoven, senior fellow at the Hoover
Institution and economics professor at Stanford University; and
C. Eugene Steuerle, senior fellow at the Urban Institute and
former Treasury Department official in the Reagan
Administration.
The project will also collaborate with organizations that
represent working Americans, including senior, minority and
women's organizations. Business groups will be key partners, as
many retirement programs, like 401(k)s, are administered in
employment settings.
The Pew Charitable Trusts launched the retirement security
initiative following an initial one-year effort to assess the
state of research and policy on the subject and the
opportunities for meaningful, bipartisan reforms. "A strategic
investment at this time could create momentum in the policy
arena and help the nation achieve a crucial, common-sense goal -
encouraging millions of Americans to save for retirement," said
Maureen K. Byrnes, director of the Trusts' Health and Human
Services program, which initiated the project. "There is a
growing body of research showing that improving incentives can
help moderate-income people save. We look forward to working
with leaders in the field to build on recent bipartisan policy
accomplishments to improve retirement security."
CONTACT: Mona Miller, Pew Charitable Trusts Public
Affairs, 202-207-2135, cell
202-288-0457;
mvmiller@pewtrusts.org
ABOUT THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS
The Pew Charitable Trusts is a national charitable organization
serving the public interest by providing information, advancing
policy solutions and supporting civic life. The Trusts' Health
and Human Services policy program addresses a range of issues,
such as foster care, genetic technology and tracking disease in
America. The Health and Human Services program's hallmark is to
engage experts, explore divergent views, identify options and
build consensus on policy solutions-all with the goal of
improving the health and well-being of the American people.
Media Contact: Mona Miller, 202-207-2135, cell
202-288-0457;
mvmiller@pewtrusts.org
(http://ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20041209.084346)
(http://pewtrusts.org)
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POINTS OF LIGHT FOUNDATION INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR WORKPLACE
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AWARDS
The
Points of Light Foundation is accepting nominations for the
2005 Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs.
The award honors a business's overall employee/retiree volunteer
efforts. This includes the actual community service projects, as
well as the program policies and corporate vision that support
those volunteer activities.
Award categories are: General Award, for companies with an
employee volunteer program of more than three years; Fast Start,
a special award for a company with an employee volunteer program
of three years duration or less; and Past Recipients, award for
past award recipients that received the award more than five
years ago.
Any small, medium, large, or international business that has an
established and company-supported employee/retiree volunteer
program directed toward addressing the community's serious
social problems is eligible. A business can be a private or
public organization. Awards will be given to employee volunteer
programs that are organization-wide and reflective of activities
serving all employees, not just those in one office location.
(http://pointsoflight.org/awards/workplace/nominate.cfm)
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GLOBAL HEALTH COUNCIL INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR AWARD FOR BEST
PRACTICES IN GLOBAL HEALTH
The
Global Health Council offers the Award for Best Practices in
Global Health to celebrate and highlight the efforts of people
dedicated to improving the health of disadvantaged and
disenfranchised populations — particularly children — and to
recognize programs that effectively demonstrate the link between
health, poverty, and development and that have made a
significant contribution to the field.
Both individuals and organizations may be nominated for the
award.
In reviewing the nominees, the following criteria will be
considered and evaluated: the program must address a critical
global health issue; the program must be community-based,
sustainable, and replicable; there must be measurable outcomes
to show the success of the program; the individual or
organization must have the ability and expertise to share,
inspire, and instruct, and/or partner with others in best
practices for improving health; the program demonstrates growing
political commitment to assure health for all; the potential for
receipt of this award to raise the profile of the award itself;
and the program effectively demonstrates the link between
health, poverty, and development.
The award will be presented on June 2, 2005, in Washington,
D.C., at the Global Health Council's Annual International
Conference.
(http://www.globalhealth.org/conference/view_top.php3?id=235)
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ADA
FOUNDATION REQUESTS PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE OLDER ADULTS’ ACCESS TO
ORAL CARE
The ADA Foundation, charitable arm of the
American Dental Association (ADA), is requesting proposals
to help improve older adults' access to dental care under its
Access to Oral Care for Older Adults Grants Program.
The program, funded by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare,
provides four or more grants of up to $50,000 each to selected
applicants, submitting oral health proposals designed to
promote, improve, and maintain older adults' oral health.
The program's objective is to stimulate the development of
promising initiatives, reaching out to semi-dependent older
adults with appropriate oral health education and treatment.
Community-based, not-for-profit, oral health promotion programs
in the United States and its territories will be considered,
including: oral health programs that target care for
semi-dependent older adults; programs that use outreach efforts,
e.g., oral healthcare coordination with adult day care centers,
senior centers, family members, caregivers, and other support
systems along with the use of mobile and portable dental
equipment to provide care for homebound semi-dependent older
adults; establishment of collaborative efforts to ensure oral
health care for semi-dependent older adults, in conjunction with
aging services networks, public health agencies, and education
institutions; establishment of intra- and inter-professional
care teams, that include a dentist or dentists, to promote oral
health and provide care for semi-dependent older adults; and
public and consumer education efforts to increase awareness of
oral health for semi-dependent older adults.
(http://www.ada.org/ada/prod/adaf/index.asp)
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LANCE
ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION OFFERS FUNDING FOR CANCER SURVIVORSHIP
INITIATIVES
The
Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) will soon begin accepting
applications for funding through the Spring 2005 Community
Program. The
LAF is pleased to offer financial support and
practical advice to community nonprofit organizations serving
the needs of cancer survivors as identified by the National
Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship. The
LAF
seeks to help develop innovative projects that encourage
survivors to live strong through the physical, emotional, and
practical challenges of their survivorship.
The
LAF will offer two types of grants in Spring 2005 in
support of cancer survivorship initiatives that impact people in
their local communities.
Implementation grants will be awarded in the amount of up to
$20,000 a year for up to two years. At the time of application,
organizations should have created a design for the proposed
program and a complete plan for its implementation.
Approximately 30-40 implementation grants will be awarded.
Evolution grants will be awarded in the amount of up to $100,000
over two years or up to $150,000 over three years. Organizations
should have created a well-developed design for the program and
a complete plan for its implementation and impact and
effectiveness evaluation. This grant would support both the
implementation and evaluation phases of the program. Up to six
evolution grants will be awarded.
Grant applications will be considered in four subject areas:
Cancer Pain, Palliative, and End-of-Life Care; Physical Activity
and Nutrition; Survivorship Education; and Survivorship Support.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) and additional guidelines and
procedures are available on the
LAF
Web site. The online application system will open on January 3,
2005, and will be accessible through a link on the
LAF Web site.
(http://laf.org/Public_Health/Community_Program/)
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JOBS/INTERNSHIPS
NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
Internship Announcement
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
seeks interns for its Washington, DC office.
NAPABA is the only national association of Asian Pacific
American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students.
With a national network of 48 affiliates, NAPABA advocates for
the legal needs and interests of the
APA
community and represents over 40,000 attorneys nationwide.
This exciting opportunity to gain experience in NAPABA’s
national office requires motivated individuals who will work
closely with the Policy Director and Administrative Assistant in
NAPABA’s daily operations.
Internship applicants must be detail-oriented, maintain a high
standard of work in a fast-paced environment, be able to
multi-task, and be eager to learn.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated commitment to APA
community issues and civil rights. In addition, the candidate
should have a working knowledge of national APA organizations.
Prior internship experience in public service organizations or
government a plus.
Responsibilities include general office functions, such as
answering phones, handling mail, and providing administrative
and research support for the Executive Director, Policy
Director, and Administrative Assistant. In addition, interns
will:
Update NAPABA membership and affiliates database;
Assist with logistics for the NAPABA Annual Convention;
Attend meetings and briefings with APA community organizations;
Assist with policy projects as needed.
Please send cover letter and resume to:
Jiny Kim
Policy Director
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
910 17th Street, NW, Suite 315
Washington, DC 20006
You may also submit applications via e-mail:
policy@napaba.org or fax: (202)775-9333.
If you have any questions, please call (202)775-9555.
(www.napaba.org)
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EDWARD RAWSON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FELLOW
Citizens for Global Solutions is seeking a Government Relations
Fellow to support outreach and coordination with the US
government. We are looking for a self-motivated person who
enjoys a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented atmosphere. This
position is available in January and is a three month renewable
fellowship (see for description of the Edward Rawson Fellowship
Program below).
Citizens for Global Solutions is a national membership and
advocacy organization committed to promoting cooperative U.S.
engagement through international institutions and international
law. We believe that in today's interdependent world, our
lives, our jobs and our families are increasingly affected by
global problems, such as terrorism, climate change, war and
infectious diseases. Because these problems are global in scope,
it is vital that countries work together to solve them. Making
the world a safe, just and equitable place we all want to live
in will require teamwork and a common set of rules we can all
live by. Our program areas include Peace and Security, U.S.
Global Engagement, Law and Justice, International Institutions,
and Health and Environment.
More information about Citizens for Global Solutions is
available at
www.globalsolutions.org.
Main Responsibilities:
The Government Relations Fellow will work with the Executive
Vice- President to support outreach and coordination with the US
government. The applicant will attend coalition meetings,
briefings as required and develop materials for US government
outreach and education. The applicant will also draft speeches,
legislation, edit articles, maintain the legislation database
and manage Congressional office outreach on specific program
areas, and assist in managing Global Solutions PAC activities.
MINIMUM SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED (Please let us
know in your cover letter how you meet these qualifications)
1. B.A. in International Relations, political science,
government relations or related field.
2. Excellent problem-solving skills and a "can-do" attitude;
capacity to manage multiple projects in a high-intensity
atmosphere
3. Ability to write clearly and succinctly for diverse audiences
4. Excellent organizational skills and initiative required; must
be a self-starter
5. Strong public speaking skills
6. Some experience with event management useful.
7. Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite required; some
experience with Microsoft Front Page (or other web editor) and
Microsoft Access useful
8. Strong understanding of or background in communicating with
the Administration and/or Congress and the electoral process.
Other Responsibilities:
Governmental Relations
* Set up meetings with members/staff
* Organize Hill briefings
* Develop specialized materials for Hill audiences from policy
materials already drafted, or working with policy staff
* Collate information on offices on the Hill interested in our
issues
* Assist with keeping current legislation database on the
website updated
* Assist with writing and editing speeches, web material on
elections and legislative issues well as op-eds as required.
* Assist in writing "Vote Alerts" sent to Hill Staff regarding
votes on Citizens for Global Solutions priority issues.
* Draft Congressional or organizational sign-on letters for the
Hill
* Research and draft legislative proposals
* Attend relevant coalition meetings
Organize Meetings and Events
* Secure venues and manage ordering food
* Write and circulate invitations
* Manage RSVPs
About the Citizens for Global Solutions "Edward Rawson"
Fellowship Program
The Citizens for Global Solutions Rawson Fellowship Program
allows recent college graduates to obtain a hands-on
international relations experience with a cutting edge
educational and advocacy organization in Washington, DC. Fellows
are hired for a 3 month period with possibility of extension for
another three months. Fellow earn a $1,600 per month stipend and
are granted 4 days personal leave and 3 sick days per three
month fellowship. No health benefits are provided. Citizens for
Global Solutions is an equal opportunity employer and strongly
committed to promoting diversity within our organization and in
the field of international relations and politics. Applications
from women, persons of color, and individuals from
underrepresented communities are encouraged and supported.
Please send cover letter, resume, and writing sample to
govrelations@globalsolutions.org
(www.globalsolutions.org)
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POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR – CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
AND
PREVENTION
Three postdoctoral fellows are being sought for a two-year
program. Salary will be approximately $42,500, pending funding
availability. Fellows will collaborate on research and
evaluation projects in the Division of Violence Prevention at
CDC as well as developing their own research. Expertise and
experience in communities of color strongly preferred. For
further information about the program, see below.
Deadline for applications:
Feb. 15, 2005. Start date: Sept. 2005.
Purpose: To increase the quality and quantity of research
and interventions to reduce violence in communities of color.
Background: Violence has a disproportionate impact on
racial and ethnic minorities. In 1999, homicide was the leading
cause of death for African Americans and the second leading
cause of death for Hispanics between the ages of 15 and 34.
Suicide was the second leading cause of death for American
Indians and Alaskan Natives and Asian and Pacific Islanders 15
to 34 years of age. It is important to note that existing
research indicates that race and ethnicity, per se, is not a
risk factor for violent behavior. Rather, racial and ethnic
status is associated with many other factors that do influence
the risk of becoming a victim or behaving violently. As a
result, racial and ethnic minorities in the United States
experience high rates of both violent victimization and
perpetration. A better understanding of the factors that
contribute to this vulnerability or protection from such risk is
important to furthering effective violence prevention programs
that address racial and ethnic minorities.
Description: This project seeks up to three behavioral
scientists or epidemiologists with a terminal doctoral degree
(e.g. Ph.D., M.D. or Dr. P.H.) per year, pending funding
availability. These individuals should have completed their
degree within the last three years. It is anticipated that each
fellow will have a two-year appointment, pending funding
availability and a successful first-year evaluation. Salaries
will be approximately $42,500/year.
Upon completion of this Program the participants will be able
to:
1. Design influential and culturally competent research and
interventions in violence prevention in communities of color;
2. Develop funding requests for such studies;
3. Interact and operate effectively in the CDC environment;
4. Present information on their research in an organized,
articulate manner to colleagues and the general public;
5. Prepare scientific reports and effectively describe research
activities.
The Division of Violence Prevention has three Branches:
Etiology and Surveillance, Prevention Development and
Evaluation, and Program Implementation and Dissemination. Each
Branch will be assigned one fellow, pending funding
availability. The post-doctoral fellow will become a member of a
research team and help to oversee and contribute to an ongoing
or newly funded research study or intervention. The duties of
the fellow are expected to include data analysis and assisting
with manuscripts and scientific presentations for ongoing
projects, and assistance with the development of research
methods and protocols for newly funded projects. Weekly seminars
will focus on methodological, ethical, and cultural issues
relevant to violence prevention research and intervention in
communities of color (e.g. translation, measures of racism or
poverty, writing and presentation skills).
Support will include an office, computer, appropriate software,
phone, mail and clerical support, limited intramural research
funds, and equipment, books, travel and courses needed to
advance the fellow's professional development, as appropriate.
Selection Criteria: Research experience in violence
prevention and related areas; experience and interest in
communities of color; quality of recommendations and one-page
statement; quality of education and completion date; and quality
of previous publications and presentations at scientific
meetings.
Applicants should submit:
* Resume with home and work address, e-mail and telephone
numbers, work and academic history, including dates degrees were
awarded or are expected, all publications and presentations, and
names and telephones of three persons who will be submitting
letters of reference
* Official transcripts
* Three letters of reference
* A one-page statement described below
Description of One-page Statement: On a separate page,
please indicate which Branch would be best suited to your
interests. Include a description of your experiences with
communities of color and violence prevention, as well as your
career goals (limit one page).
* Etiology and Surveillance Branch: The main focus of
activities for the fellow in this Branch will be descriptive
analysis of surveillance data on violent deaths and research on
risk and protective factors for interpersonal and self-directed
violence in communities of color. Depending on the Fellows'
skills and interests and on the needs of each project,
assignments could be made to work on projects focusing on the
patterns of violent deaths in selected states; factors
associated with interpersonal or self-directed violence in a
longitudinal study of youth; or factors associated with several
categories of violence among adolescents. The fellow will work
with the project officer and extramural research team of one of
these projects on various aspects of the day-to-day research
collaboration between CDC and the funded group. In addition, the
fellow will be expected to conduct analysis and collaboratively
publish papers from data sets available within the Center.
* Prevention Development and Evaluation Branch: The
primary focus of activities for the fellow in this Branch will
be intervention research on intimate partner violence in
communities of color. A request for applications to conduct
efficacy and effectiveness trials of intervention strategies to
prevent intimate partner violence, particularly for underserved
populations, has recently been issued by this Branch. It is
expected that 3-6 applications in response to this request will
be funded starting in the fall of 2005. Depending on the
Fellows' skills and interests and on the needs of each project,
assignments could be made to work on projects focusing on dating
violence prevention, prevention of intimate partner violence
perpetration in the workplace, and emergency housing for persons
experiencing intimate partner violence. The fellow will work
with the project officer and extramural research team of one of
these projects on various aspects of the day-to-day research
collaboration between CDC and the funded group. In addition, the
fellow will be expected to conduct analysis and collaboratively
publish papers from data sets available from a series of 10
intervention projects that are currently ending and perform
duties as assigned.
* Program Implementation and Dissemination Branch: The
main focus of activities for the fellow in this Branch will be
program evaluation in the area of violence against women. A
program to assist racial/ethnic minority communities - to assess
and prevent sexual and intimate partner violence has recently
been announced. Within the program, emphasis will be placed on
working with men and boys in a culturally appropriate manner to
prevent these forms of violence before they occur. The outcomes
of interest will be building capacity in four key areas:
collaboration, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It is
expected that two organizations will be funded to carry out this
project starting in the fall of 2005. The fellow will work with
the entire project team, the fellowship mentor, and the
cooperative agreement recipients to design and conduct a program
evaluation. The fellow will be expected to work especially
closely with a master's level program evaluator already on staff
with the project. In addition to working on this program
evaluation, the fellow will have the opportunity to publish
papers from a variety of data sets within the branch.
For questions about the fellowship, contact:
Barbara V. Marin, Ph.D., Director
Postdoctoral Fellowship on Violence Prevention in Communities of
Color bmarin@cdc.gov 770-488-1349
By
Feb. 15, 2005, send the resume, one-page statement, letters of
reference and official transcripts to:
Candice Jackson
Violence Prevention in Communities of Color
Postdoctoral Fellowship Program - CDC
Division of Violence Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4770 Buford Hwy, NE; MS-K60
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
770-488-1571
Fax: 770-488-101
cjackson@cdc.gov
Overnight Address:
2939 Flowers Road South
Atlanta, GA 30341
******************
HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES PROGRAM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
22 December 2004
Dear friends and colleagues:
I am delighted to announce that the application for the 2005
session of the annual Human Rights Advocates Program at Columbia
University is now available. I would like to take this
opportunity to ask you to disseminate this information and
application to human rights advocates based in developing
countries as well as grassroots activists in the United States
working on human rights problems that result from or are part of
the global economic system.
In 2004, the Center for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia
University launched a new initiative to advance human rights
thinking and activism with respect to the global economy. The
program's current focus on Human Rights Advocacy and the Global
Economy builds on the Center's highly successful Human Rights
Advocates Program, featuring a program of advocacy,
skill-building, and scholarship through a four-month intensive
training program in New York City.
Columbia University's Human Rights Advocates Program is designed
to prepare proven human rights leaders from poor countries and
communities in the US to participate in national and
international policy debates on economic globalization by
building their skills, knowledge, and contacts. An equally
important part of the program is to promote debate and dialogue
on the global economy between the grassroots leaders and the
faculty and students at Columbia University, and in the NGO,
policy-making and corporate communities.
The current focus of the Human Rights Advocates Program seeks to
cover key impacts of the global economy, particularly impacts on
the following issue areas:
*Labor rights
*Migration
*Health
*Environmental justice
*Corporate social responsibility, including sectoral issues such
as human rights in the extractive industries or agriculture.
Activists working on the above areas from a gender perspective
are encouraged to apply.
The Program is designed for lawyers, journalists, teachers,
community organizers, and other human rights activists working
with non-governmental organizations who work on human rights
problems that result from or are part of the global economic
system.
Participants are selected on the basis of their previous work
experience on human rights and the global economy, commitment to
the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to complete
graduate level studies. Full-time students or government
officials will not be considered. Advocates must secure
institutional endorsement from their organizations for their
participation in the program and must commit to returning to
that organization upon completion of the Program. Activists
must also be originating from and residing in either a
developing country or the United States. Fluency in English is
required.
This extremely competitive program will admit up to ten
applicants. The program will take place from late August to the
middle of December 2005.
Enclosed please find an overview of the program and the 2005
application form. The completed application is due by
March 21, 2005.
Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be
accepted.
For further information or to download additional copies of the
application, please refer to our website at
<http://www.columbia.edu/cu/humanrights/training/adv/hradv_pgm.htm>.
Yours sincerely,
Margaret Ladner
Director, Human Rights Advocates Program
Center for the Study of Human Rights
Columbia University
******************
COLLEGE
TREE
PUBLISHING SEARCHING FOR WRITINGS FROM COLLEGE-AGE
ADULTS
If you are interested in having your voice heard and possibly
being nationally published then read on. College Tree Publishing
is soliciting for any genre of written work that pertains to
either major social or political issues, or issues of religion
that Americans face today and will face down the road. The best
of the submissions will be published in one of two anthological
books; “What We Think: II,” or “What We Think: About God” The
tentative submission deadline mid-February. These are the first
books of their kind, composed entirely of the opinions, beliefs,
and ideas of college-age adults. The books’ editors are on
different sides of the political spectrum; one a Republican, the
other a Democrat and they aim to put out a book that represents
the diversity of opinions and thoughts by students. Please make
sure you give your demographic a voice.
For more information and to submit, please go to
http://www.collegetreepublishing.com
Dean Robbins and Rob Grabow
Founders of College Tree Publishing
dean@collegetreepublishing.com
rob@collegetreepublishing.com
509-499-2679
(http://www.collegetreepublishing.com)
******************
TIPS/RESOURCES
TSUNAMI RESPONSE – DEPARTMENT OF STATE
In response to the many inquiries we will be sending out
periodic updates as information becomes available.
Locating Affected Peoples
The State Department on Monday established a toll-free telephone
number for inquiries about U.S. citizens affected by the Asian
earthquake and tsunamis.
The public may call toll free at
888-407-4747. Overseas, people may call 317-472-2328.
Those seeking information also can contact the department's
Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management,
202-647-5225. General information about disaster relief,
preparation and emergency services to U.S. citizens abroad can
be found at the State Department Web page
http://travel.state.gov/travel/crisismg.html
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteer opportunities in disaster settings are extremely rare,
and are usually limited to people with prior disaster experience
and technical skills (such as health, engineering, etc). To
register your skills and experience for a possible volunteer
opportunity, go to the Center for International Disaster
Information's <http://www.usaid.gov/cgi-bin/goodbye?http://www.cidi.org/datain.htm>
registration page.
DONATIONS
The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by
making cash contributions to humanitarian organizations that are
conducting relief operations. USAID encourages cash donations
because they: allow aid professionals to procure the exact items
needed (often in the affected region); reduce the burden on
scarce resources (such as transportation routes, staff time,
warehouse space, etc); can be transferred very quickly and
without transportation costs; support the economy of the
disaster-stricken region; ensure culturally, dietary, and
environmentally appropriate assistance. The agencies listed
below are accepting donations for assistance they or their
affiliates are providing to those affected by the earthquake and
tsunamis (this list is provided by USAID and can be retrieved
from their website
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/tsunami/ngolist.html
please check back at this site for updates):
ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
247 West 37th Street, Suite 1201
New York, N.Y. 10018
212-967-7800 x108
www.actionagainsthunger.org
ADRA International
Asia Quake Fund
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904
800-424-ADRA (2372)
www.adra.org
Air Serv International
6583 Merchant Place, Suite 100
Warrenton, VA 20187
www.airserv.org
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc.
JDC-South Asia Tsunami Relief
P.O. Box 321
847A Second Avenue
New York, New York 10017
212-885-0832
www.jdc.org
AmeriCares
88 Hamilton Ave
Stamford, CT 06902
800-486-4357
www.americares.org
Baptist World Aid
Asia Tidal Waves
405 North Washington Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
703
790
8980
www.bwanet.org/bwaid
B'nai B'rith International
B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund
2020 K. Street NW
7th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
212-490-3290
www.bnaibrith.org
Brother's Brother Foundation
1200 Galveston Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
412-321-3160
www.brothersbrother.org
CARE
151 Ellis Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
800-521-CARE
www.care.org
Catholic Relief Services
209 West Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
800-736-3467
www.catholicrelief.org
Christian Children's Fund
Child Alert Fund
PO Box 26484
Richmond, Virginia - 23261-6484
800-776-6767
www.ChristianChildrensFund.org
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC)
South Asia Earthquake
2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49560
800-55-CRWRC
www.crwrc.org
Church World Service
PO Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515
800-297-1516
www.churchworldservice.org
Direct Relief International
27 South La Patera Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
805-964-4767
www.directrelief.org
Food for the Hungry, Inc.
Food for the Hungry
Asia Quake Relief
1224 E. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
800-2-HUNGERS
www.fh.org
International Aid
17011 W. Hickory
Spring Lake, MI 49456
800-968-7490
www.internationalaid.org
International Medical Corps
Tsunami Emergency Response
1919 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300
Santa Monica, CA 90404-1950
800-481-4462
www.imcworldwide.org
International Relief Teams
Asia Earthquake/Floods
3547 Camino Del Rio South, Suite C
San Diego, CA 92108
619-284-7979
www.IRTeams.org
International Rescue Committee
PO Box 5058
Hagerstown, MD 21741-9874
877-REFUGEE or
733-8433
www.theIRC.org
Latter-Day Saint Charities
Welfare Services Emergency Response
50 East North Temple Street, Room 701
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84150-6800
801-240-3544
http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,5595-1-2910-1,00.html
Lutheran World Relief
South Asia Tsunami
700 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-230-2700
www.lwr.org
MAP International
P.O. Box 215000
Brunswick, GA 31521
800-225-8550
www.map.org
Mercy Corps
Southeast Asia Earthquake
Dept. W
PO Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208-2669
800-852-2100
www.mercycorps.org
Operation USA
8320 Melrose Ave. #200
Los Angeles, CA 90069
800-678-8876
www.opusa.org
Oxfam America
Asian Earthquake Fund
PO Box 1211
Albert Lea, MN 56007-1211
800-77-OXFAM
www.oxfamamerica.org
Plan USA
Asia Disaster
155 Plan Way
Warwick, RI 02886
800-556-7918
www.planusa.org
Project Concern International
Asia Tsunamis Press List
5151 Murphy Canyon Road Suite 320
San Diego, CA 92123
858-279-9690
www.projectconcern.org
Project HOPE
Asia Tsunami Response
255 Carter Hall Lane
Millwood, VA 22646
800-544-4673
www.projecthope.org
SAWSO (Salvation Army World Service Office)
South Asia Relief Fund
615 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA, 22313
800-SALV-ARMY
Save the Children USA
54 Wilton Road
Westport, CT 06880
1-800-728-3843
www.savethechildren.org
Stop Hunger Now
SE Asia crisis
2501 Clark Ave, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27607
888-501-8440
www.stophungernow.org
US Fund for UNICEF
General Emergency Fund
333 E. 38th Street
New York, NY 10016
800-4-UNICEF
www.unicefusa.org
World Concern
Asia Earthquake and Tsunami
19303 Fremont Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98133
800-755-5022
www.worldconcern.org
World Emergency Relief
2270-D Camino Vida Roble
Carlsbad, CA 92009
760-930-8001
www.worldemergencyrelief.org
World Vision
P.O. Box 70288
Tacoma, WA 98481-0288
800-56-CHILD
www.worldvision.org
(http://travel.state.gov/travel/crisismg.html)
(http://www.usaid.gov/cgi-bin/goodbye?http://www.cidi.org/datain.htm)
(http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/tsunami/ngolist.html)
******************
NEWS
December 16, 2004
A
NEW KIND OF MAJORITY
Three Vietnamese Americans Now Sit on Garden Grove
Unified School District Board
Tim Sullivan
Nguoi Viet 2, News Report
In 2002, when Lân Quoc Nguyen won a seat on the Garden Grove
Unified School District board, he became its only Vietnamese
American member and took on a common role for a
minority-elected official amid a sea of white faces: He
pushed for better communication between the district and its
sizable immigrant community.
But this year, district voters added two more Vietnamese
Americans to its board, and the community finds itself with
a majority on the five-member group. Now, those three
representatives have an unusual opportunity that extends
beyond their country-men’s immediate educational needs and
geographical boundaries — as well as a huge challenge.
“Our job becomes harder,” says Trung Nguyen, an attorney who
won one of three seats open in the November election and was
sworn into office last week. “Because we are a majority of
the board, as Vietnamese Americans, we need to prove to all
residents of the district that we can look out for
everyone’s interests.”
So the new members say they want to find a balance between
governing for all students and parents and continuing to
push for their community’s needs. Much is on the line:
Success could lead to even more success for other districts
and enclaves around the United States, and another step in
making a Vietnamese name on a ballot card as transparent as
an Anglo one.
As recent as 25 years ago, this district, which includes an
area between the large cities of Long Beach, Anaheim and
Irvine, was mostly white, with only 3.2 percent Asian and 15
percent Hispanic students.
Today, it has transformed into a population of 50,000-plus
students in 70 schools, with 28 percent of them Asian and 51
percent Hispanic. Alan Trudell, the district’s spokesman,
says the biggest impact of the demographic change has been
on the district’s ability to communicate with its
youngsters. Pupils speak more than 65 languages at home, he
details, and 53 percent of those in the classrooms are
classified as “English learners.”
Consequently, Trudell says, administrators have hired more
translators to help offer parent-student handbooks in
different languages, along with an expanded its web site.
The district has also given each student his or her own
improvement plan.
The work has paid off. Earlier this year, Garden Grove
Unified received the Broad Prize for Urban Education,
awarded to the nation’s best urban school system. After
emerging as a finalist — twice — the district claimed the
top prize along with a $500,000 check for scholarships.
Yet holes remain, such as a lack of graduates attending
four-year universities and a dearth of technology. Plus, the
district’s teaching force does not reflect the student body;
only 20 percent of educators are ethnic minorities.
Lân Nguyen says he has helped to close a lingering divide
between the district and the Vietnamese community with a
plan for a radio show that will educate Vietnamese parents
about the school district. Nguyen’s success on the board
encouraged the others to some degree — Lân Nguyen has worked
with Trung Nguyen for years — but others in the Vietnamese
American community thought they could do better.
Kim-Oanh Nguyen-Lâm, the other member joining the board,
says she ran because she hadn’t seen enough done for the
Vietnamese American communities — or other ethnic groups —
even with Lân Nguyen on the board.
“The district made a big deal about the award, but the
quality of education isn’t just based on one set of
numbers,” she says. “There’s lots of room for improvement.”
Nguyen-Lâm, who is a professor of teacher education at
California State University, Fullerton, and a veteran of
educating teachers and parents on cross-cultural competency,
wants to give more support to the district’s Vietnamese
language programs and do a better job teaching students
about Vietnamese culture and politics.
When the results came back for the at-large school board
openings, for which there were eight candidates, incumbent
Linda Reed received the most votes with 34,331, Nguyen-Lâm
second with 30,064 votes and Trung Nguyen third with 27,037
votes.
The three Vietnamese-American board members won’t likely be
voting as a bloc: Nguyen-Lâm doesn’t necessarily agree with
Trung Nguyen on everything, and she is suspicious that her
colleagues are simply using the school board as a platform
to launch political careers.
But all three agree that they need to help run the district
for everyone, not just their particular community.
Still, with almost 80 percent of the district either
Hispanic or Asian, and many of them immigrants, the new
members’ perspective as immigrants themselves is crucial to
this task. “We’re new arrivals here, we’re learning English,
we’re poor, we’re working hard,” says Lân Nguyen.
Some board members see it as especially important to reach
out to Hispanic students and parents.
“There’s a lot of misunderstanding between the Vietnamese
and Latino communities,” says Nguyen-Lâm, who speaks
Spanish. She explains that many Vietnamese Americans assume
that Hispanic parents don’t care about education. In fact,
they tend to get more involved at the grassroots level
rather than in leadership positions.
The most important long-term effect of the election of the
three Nguyens to the Garden Grove board, however, may not be
on Garden Grove itself.
As Hùng Nguyen, president of the National Congress of
Vietnamese Americans, a Virginia-based advocacy group, says:
The school district’s majority, along with other victories,
“show that the community as a whole is becoming more
empowered as we stay here longer and longer.”
While other ethnic communities have been in the United
States longer and have struggled to win political offices,
he notes that Vietnamese Americans “don’t need to do the
same thing. We can learn from other people’s mistakes. We’re
growing on top of those lessons learned.”
And those lessons include getting more involved in the
process, not backing down to pressure, to network. The next
goal, he adds, is to get people immersed in the political
process year-round.
In Lân Nguyen’s eyes, the elections since 2002 have been
greatly encouraging to Vietnamese Americans in the district.
These past moths, he says he and supporters registered some
9,000 new Vietnamese American voters. And while he
acknowledges that it was primarily Vietnamese American
voters who elected him by the slimmest of margins, the two
new members won lots of votes from Vietnamese Americans,
Hispanics and Anglos.
Now, as word spreads about the Garden Grove district, the
win could continue to boost political involvement among
Vietnamese American communities throughout the United
States.
“I want to remove barriers and misperceptions,” Lân Nguyen
says, “so that a voter can just look at us and say it’s
another candidate.”
(http://www.nguoi-viet.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=15364&z=10)
******************
December 23, 2004
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP CENTER TO OFFER CLASSES IN VIETNAMESE
By Janice Rombeck
Mercury News
San Jose's Neighborhood Leadership Academy will have a new
name next year -- and a new language.
In January, the Neighborhood Development Center will offer a
Community Leadership Academy and, for the first time,
classes will be offered in Vietnamese. The classes, free for
residents who want help organizing their neighborhoods, have
been offered in Spanish and English.
``We had a trial Vietnamese academy last year, and it was
really popular,'' said Tina Monarrez, a community activity
worker at the center, at 43 E. Gish Road.
The free four-week classes provide training in such topics
as organizing, getting access to city services, grant
writing and tapping into neighborhood resources. Next year,
the center will also emphasize computer training.
The first 2005 session begins in January and February, from
6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays in Vietnamese and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesdays in Spanish and English.
• In Vietnamese at the new Tully Library, 870 Tully Road:
Accessing City Services and Basic Computer Skills I begins
Jan. 25; Basic Computer Skills II and Volunteer
Opportunities in Your Community, Feb. 1; Tully Library tour
and Job Assistance Workshop, Feb. 15; and Working
Effectively with Your City, Feb. 22.
• In Spanish at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock
Ave.: Accessing City Services and Beginners Computer Class,
Jan. 26; Enrolling Volunteers and Bringing Out Their
Passion, and Beginners Microsoft Word Class Part I, Feb. 2;
Prioritizing and Goal Setting, and Beginners Microsoft Word
Class Part II, Feb. 9; and Available Grants and Grant
Writing Tips, and Beginners Microsoft Excel, Feb. 16.
• In English at the Neighborhood Development Center, 43 E.
Gish Road: Enrolling Volunteers and Bringing Out Their
Passion, Feb. 2; Finding Grants in Your Community, Feb. 9;
Asset Mapping -- Find Resources in Your Neighborhoods'
Groups, Feb. 16; and Grant Writing Tips, Feb. 23.
The center can be reached at (408) 392-6771. Information can
be found at
www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/NDC.htm.
ALL ABOUT PLANNING:
The city's planning department also offers a primer for
those who want to better understand the general plan, the
building permit process, public works, code enforcement and
other tools.
Planning in San Jose: A Community Guide can be
downloaded from the city's Web site at
www.sanjoseca.gov/planning.
Contact Janice Rombeck at
jrombeck@mercurynews.com
or (408) 920-5944.
(http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/10482982.htm)
******************
December 23, 2004
FOR AN IMMIGRANT MARINE, BURIAL CLOSE TO HOME
Va. Vietnamese Family Mourns at Arlington
By Rosalind S. Helderman
Washington Post Staff Writer, Page B07
In life, Binh N. Le adopted this country as his own. In
death, his country returned the honor.
Le, 20, a Marine corporal who was born in Vietnam, grew up
in Fairfax County and died in Iraq, was buried yesterday
under an unseasonably warm sun at Arlington National
Cemetery. Over his coffin stood two Marines in dress
uniform, one holding a U.S. flag steady in the breeze, the
other the flag of the fallen South Vietnam.
Le was killed Dec. 3 in Al Anbar province -- by a car bomb
set off near a checkpoint he was manning, his family was
told. Cpl. Matthew A. Wyatt, 21, of Millstadt, Ill., also
died in the attack. Le, a member of the 5th Battalion, 10th
Marine Regiment, was serving his second tour in Iraq and was
scheduled to come home in April.
As a boy in Vietnam, Le was adopted by Hau Luu and Thanh Le,
an aunt and uncle who soon immigrated to America. He was
raised in the Alexandria section of Fairfax by the couple
and another aunt and uncle, Tuc-cuc Thi Tran and Luong La of
Dale City.
He visited his birth parents just once, a pilgrimage made
after he graduated from Fairfax's Edison High School in
2002. U.S. officials intervened to ensure that they could
come to the funeral, helping them secure visas and
passports.
A Marine staff sergeant handed one folded U.S. flag to Le's
father, Lien Van Tran. With La translating, Tran, who once
served in the South Vietnamese army, told National Public
Radio recently that he had not wanted his son to join the
Marines but was proud of his service.
"He did the right job for the family, for the country, for
himself," Tran said.
La received a second U.S. flag. Nearby stood Deputy
Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz and Rep. James P. Moran
Jr. (D-Va.).
Friends said Le embraced the life of an American teenager
long before joining the Marine Corps in 2000. He surrounded
himself with devoted friends, many of whom he met through
Junior ROTC or Lorton's Gunston Bible Church.
They described him as energetic and engaging. In high school
and afterward, he played in a series of bands with young
members of his church. One, a Christian group called Eyeris,
built a small, loyal following at churches and coffeehouses.
Drums were his passion, but he also had a talent for the
keyboards and trumpet, friends said.
"He played everything by ear," said Jamey Payne, a member of
Eyeris. "As long as he knew what it took to make a note come
out of it, he could play it."
A Web site set up by his friend Paul Stadig features
testimonials from dozens of people. Le had so many friends,
Stadig said, that many of them didn't know each other. "All
of his friends saw him as one of their best friends," he
said. Next summer, Le was to have served as a groomsman at
Stadig's wedding.
Le was a groomsman at Payne's wedding in May 2003, arriving
to the surprised delight of the bride and groom, who thought
he was still on his way home from Iraq.
Le returned from his first tour brimming with stories of the
gratitude of ordinary Iraqis, friends said. Stadig recalled
Le describing an Iraqi family that invited the Marines for
tea. When they were finished, the Marines handed their cups
back, only to find them quickly refilled. Many cups later,
they learned that according to local custom, if a guest
drains his cup all the way, it should always be refilled.
Payne said Le saw the conflict in Iraq through the prism of
his own life story.
"He understood what it was like in a fairly oppressed
society, and he really enjoyed the freedoms he had over
here," Payne said. "He wanted to help others experience
that. . . . It was a true American story."
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21058-2004Dec22.html)
******************
December 27, 2004
VIETNAM STILL
NewsHour with Jim Lehrer (PBS)
Essayist Ann Taylor Fleming looks at a museum exhibition
about California during the Vietnam War era.
ANNE TAYLOR FLEMING: We can't let go of it, or it can't let
go of us. Even all these years later, even after it has
become a place rife with entrepreneurial activity, a trendy
vacation spot for all manner of Americans, it is still for
us Vietnam, the war without end.
We rewind the reel, erase the intervening decades, and we
are right back there in those tumultuous days fighting and
re- fighting that war as if it could come out differently,
as if there weren't all those haunting pictures and haunting
memories, and that haunting memorial slashing across that
ground in Washington.
Now, here in my home state, the Oakland Museum of California
has mounted a major exhibition about Vietnam, specifically
about this state during that time, the decade between 1965
and 1975 -- to walk through it as a native is to pace
through one's own history. It's like leafing through a
personal album; so close still is it to the California
marrow.
So many soldiers were trained here and shipped out of here,
so many families left at home. The country's major defense
contractors were here. The whole business of war was big
business in the golden state.
SINGING: We shall overcome…
ANNE TAYLOR FLEMING: So, too, of course, was the other side
of the coin: The protests and peace marches and the arrests,
while the voice of Joan Baez floated over the California
campuses in those years, as we all tried to reckon with
Vietnam. I know.
I was at the University of California at Santa Cruz just
down the coast from here, in the late 1960s, early 1970s,
and Vietnam dominated our thoughts and fears and arguments
with more urgency than Homer or biochemistry.
And if it wrenched our colleges and universities, it also
wrenched individual families. Send a kid to Vietnam; send a
kid to Canada. The state was in effect a family itself, torn
by its two sides-- pro-war and anti-war, a microcosm, as it
so often is, of the country as a whole; all of this the
exhibition documents.
But California. in 2004 is not the California of the Vietnam
War years, specifically, there are now almost half a million
Vietnamese living here, almost all of whom emigrated from
South Vietnam or were born here after the war was lost. Many
of them have strong memories as well and were adamant over
the four years of the exhibit's planning, that their own
views be represented.
SPOKESMAN: Thousands scrambled for a way out on April 30,
1975, a signal that a century of western influence in
Vietnam is dead.
ANNE TAYLOR FLEMING: They lobbied to include pictures from
the fall of Saigon, artifacts from the reeducation camps
where hundreds of thousands of South Vietnamese were
incarcerated after the war --. Operation Baby Lift, which
brought over, 3000 babies and children to America, and they
fought successfully to keep Ho Chi Minh's picture out of the
exhibit all together.
Is that right? Is that their right? That, of course, is the
ultimate question. Whose truth, whose story, whose memories
shall we honor or believe or enshrine in our museums? That
is always the question, but one made a lot more dramatic and
tension fill when the heart of the matter is a war like
Vietnam where so many cling to so many truths and angers and
injustices.
The argument I suppose is for as much inclusion as possible.
Gov. Ronald Reagan and a draft card burner, war opponents
and war proponents; soldiers off to fight the war and
soldiers at home to protest the war; the South Vietnamese
refugees and, yes, Ho Chi Minh.
What all this gives the lie to is the notion of closure
which we still toss around and cling to. It is illusory, a
child's blanket for adult wounds. The Vietnam War is still
vital and wounding, as this exhibit and the controversy
about it makes very clear. I'm Anne Taylor Fleming.
(http://www.pbs.org/newshour/essays/july-dec04/fleming_12-27.html)
******************
December 29, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information call Daphne Kwok, 202-296-9200
THIRD NATIONAL
APA SCHOOL BOARD CONFERENCE HELD
Washington, DC - The Asian Pacific American Institute for
Congressional Studies (APAICS) in partnership with the
California School Board Association (CSBA) and the Asian
Pacific Islander School Board Members Association (APISBMA)
held the 3rd National Asian Pacific American School Board
Conference December 2-4 in San Francisco. The focus of the
conference was on curriculum - specifically the importance
of getting Asian and Asian Pacific American content into the
curriculum. The conference was funded by State Farm®.
Comments from attendees from throughout the country:
Melodie Lew, Trustee of the San Mateo-Foster City School
District in California, stated, "This conference had very
informative and fascinating speakers and materials presented
that should be presented to a broader audience. It is
imperative for the survival of our democracy, that our
students are instilled with an understanding of the world
beyond our country's borders, including Asia."
Ron Chinn, Member of the Multnomah Education Service
District in Oregon, stated, "This conference was an eye
opening gateway into the value of diversity in our schools
and society while embracing an Asian perspective."
"The information shared about the Angel Island and the
migration of Asians to the United States should be
integrated into the Social Studies and History curriculum of
every school district," commented Frank Borja, a Member of
the Saginaw, Michigan Board of Education.
Shwaw Vang, Madison, Wisconsin School Board Member,
remarked, "I am re-energized by being around and meeting
fellow Asian American School Board members. Prior to this
conference, I felt very isolated as an Asian American School
Board Member. I've also learned so much about how to bring
Asian American history and academic contributions into our
classrooms. Overall, this conference has energized me,
re-focused me, and given me the resources and emotional
support I need as an Asian American School Board Member in
the Mid-west."
As a newly-elected California School Board Member Ivy Wu of
the Fremont Unified District School Board, commented, "As a
brand new school board member, I'm just fascinated by this
enriching and eye-opening experience. Seeing so many APA
counterparts sharing a vision and goal that works toward
building understanding and awareness of the APA heritage is
thrilling. I'm excited to be part of this team and look
forward to making a positive difference to our students."
Lan Nguyen, newly-elected Eastside Union High School
District Board Member, commented, "It's great to be able to
meet so many APA leaders in the field of education. I'm
excited to work with every one of them on the issues that
are important to our APA community and students."
Des Moines, Iowa School Board Member Som Baccam, stated, "So
much good information to take back to my district to discuss
and hopefully to implement. I truly agree with Michael
Chang (former Mayor of Cupertino and Founder and Executive
Director of De Anza College's Asia Pacific American
Leadership Institute of Silicon Valley) who said, 'A little
bit of good information can go a long way.'"
-30-
Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NWW
Suite 835
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202/296-9200
Fax: 202/296-9236
Website:
www.apaics.org
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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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