亞美政聯學院 15亞裔生畢業 (World Journal)

亞美政聯領導學院畢業典禮，學生做「公民參與項目」簡報。（記者陳開／攝影）

亞美政聯主席胡澤群表示，該項目旨在建立學生與社區的連接，為他們日後在職場、政界成功鋪路。（記者陳開／攝影）

亞美政聯領導學院（CAUSE）16日舉行畢業典禮（2019 Graduating），為15名學生頒發畢業證書。亞美政聯主席胡澤群（Charlie Woo）表示，該政治實習項目旨在建立學生與社區的連接，為他們日後在職場、政界成功鋪路。

15名學生分別在巴沙迪那與聖蓋博谷計畫生育組織（Planned parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel valley）、聯邦眾議員趙美心（Judy Chu）辦公室及州眾議員周本立（Ed Chau）辦公室等地實習，累積了從政實務經驗。

亞美政聯主席胡澤群表示，瑞士網球名手費德勒（Roger Federer），少年時就展示出網球天分，但家人並沒有一開始就培養他打網球，而是讓他接觸棒球等其他球類運動。當費德勒對其他項目有了充分體驗後，再投入網球運動，經受多重經驗的加持，讓他的職業道路變得寬敞明亮。胡澤群指出，費德勒故事的說明，成功不是由單點構成，而是多點形成的面。亞美政聯旨在為學生提供更多的「點」，而這些經歷能讓學生們受益。

在「公民參與項目（Civic engagement project）」簡報環節，學生們分享了他們在聖蓋博谷地區推行節水計畫心得。Amanda Yuan表示，通過走訪阿罕布拉市60個商家，他們發現許多業者母語為中文，而學生團隊中，缺乏會講中文的學員。語言障礙是推行計畫不得不面對的難題之一。Amanda Yuan建議聖蓋博水區（San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District），以後可以考慮僱用更多會講中文的職員，並印製更多中文宣傳資料，在微信等華人常用社交媒體上開設主頁，可以更好宣傳節水相關資訊。

CAUSE to Host Graduation for 2019 Leadership Academy Interns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org

Who:

Diana Lam
Senior at Wellesley College
2017 Leadership Academy Alumnus

Kim Yamasaki
Executive Director, CAUSE

Charlie Woo
Board Chair, CAUSE

Snehal Desai
Producing Artistic Director, East West Players

Tammy Tran
Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Local Public Affairs,Southern California Edison
Board Member, CAUSE

Audrey Soriano
Manager of Leadership Development, CAUSE

2019 CAUSE Leadership Academy Interns

Amanda Yuen
Intern at Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley

Amber Chong
Intern at the Office of Assemblymember Ed Chaua

Amy Ho
Intern at the Office of Congressman Lou Correa

Angela Wang
Intern at IW Group

Brandon Tabata
Intern at Transparent Arts

Lena Nguyen
Intern at Southern California Gas Company

Maamaloa Finau
Intern at Los Angeles Walks

Matthew Lee
Intern at the Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu

Maya Wong
Intern at East West Players

Nina Long
Intern at EV Connect

Olivia Dulai
Intern at the Office of Senator Ben Allen

Shekinah Deocares
Intern at Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)

Shumin He
Intern at the Office of State Treasurer Fiona Ma

Thanh Mai
Intern at the Office of Congressmember Grace Napolitano

Yanqing Lei
Intern at CAUSE

What: The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA), is a nine-week paid internship program for college undergraduates that prepares the next generation to lead and represent the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.

Founded in 1991 as the California Asian American Student Internship Coalition (CASIC), CLA’s goal is to develop a pipeline of civic leadership for the APA community. As the fastest growing community in the United States, it is key that representation and leadership in the public, private, and non-profit sectors keep pace with our country’s changing demographics.

Through CLA, students are exposed to thought leaders, policymakers, and the issues of the day. Interns gain a deeper awareness of the civic issues facing the APA community in California. By the program’s end, students will have an understanding of how to engage in the politics of the day to affect the change they want to see in the world. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.

When: Friday, August 16, 2019
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Where: KPCC Crawford Family Forum
474 South Raymond Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 91105

Street parking and nearby lots are available at varying rates. Small plates and refreshments will be served.

Why: The CAUSE Leadership Academy Graduation celebrates this year’s class and their completion of the program. Join elected officials, community leaders, local press, and families to congratulate the leaders of tomorrow!

Interview Opportunities: 

Interviews may be conducted before the program at the discretion of speakers and Leadership Academy interns. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.

Photo Opportunities:

1. Leadership Academy interns

2. Snehal Desai (Keynote Speaker)

3. Diana Lam (MC)

Dress code:

Business attire is appropriate.

About CAUSE

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the  political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.

For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

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亚美政联领袖培训班吸引15名亚裔实习生 (US China Press)

【侨报记者高睿6月21日洛杉矶报道】亚美政联21日在洛杉矶商会举办领袖培训班记者会，15名来自美国各地的亚裔实习生与媒体见面，其中包括前往国会众议员赵美心、加州财务长马世云、加州众议员周本立等办公室实习的华人学生。

参加领袖培训实习班的学生们一起合影。侨报记者高睿摄

亚美政联主席胡泽群在记者会上介绍说，亚美政联自26年前创办以来已经举办过十几次领袖培训班，把亚裔学生派往联邦和州、县、市民选官员办公室实习，其中包括联邦众议员赵美心、加州众议员周本立，以及加州财务长马世云等人的办公室，让学生们每天和这些民选官面对面地学习从政经验，经过两个多月的实习，提高这些学生参政议政的意识，学习社交、表达和组织能力，了解美国政府的运作模式，为他们毕业后走向社会打下坚实的基础。

即将前往马世云洛杉矶办公室实习的华裔学生林艳卿和胡泽群一起合影。侨报记者高睿摄

胡泽群指出，在中美两国关系十分紧张的今天，美国主流有些人把美国华人和中国人混为一谈，动不动就“你们中国人”如何如何。在此他要郑告那些带有偏见的政客，美国华人和美国人一样热爱这片自由的土地。“我们也是美国公民，拥护并遵守美国宪法，不要把美国华人统统视为间谍”，重蹈二战时期把日裔美国人关进集中营的覆辙，让《排华法案》阴魂不散。

越华裔主讲人裴塔米（Tami Bui）向实习生分享了3个“F”，分别是：1、Fail（失败），即失败是成功之母，不要怕失败，为了事业的成功你要敢于走出自己的“舒适区”；2、Friend（朋友），在家靠父母，出门靠朋友。你要学会交朋友，建立自己的朋友圈；3、Future（未来），心里要清楚自己未来想做什么，设定好目标后就要矢志不移地坚持下去，不能小猫钓鱼。

17岁高中生林艳卿自我介绍说，她于6年前跟随父母从广州移民美国，母亲在餐馆打工，父亲为餐馆做“幸运果”。现已高中毕业的她准备上大学选修政治科学专业，之所以热衷政治，是因为当年父母移民美国住在洛杉矶中国城时因为不会英语而遭到不平等对待。“我想通过从政，利用法律的武器来保护无数像爸爸妈妈这样的弱势群体，维护他们的合法权益，让华人不再受种族歧视，享有和白人同等的人权。”

实习生何淑敏说她于2009年从福建跟随父母移民美国，母亲是全职太太，在家中照顾她的弟弟妹妹，爸爸在中餐馆打工。她在费城上学的时候看到很多校园暴力事件，这让她萌生了做一名领导人或律师的想法，希望通过亚美政联的领袖培训班从赵美心、马世云、余淑婷等华人领袖身上学习一些参政议政的经验，将来争取成为一名华裔民选官或移民律师，利用手中的权力和法律武器来制止暴力事件，为维护美国华人的合法权益而努力。

父母来自北京，自己出生在美国的南加大学生王安琪被分配到IW集团实习，她希望学习一些从商的经验，在中美关系十分紧张的今天，她希望利用自己学得的经商知识另辟蹊径，打拼出商海泛舟的另一片天地。

CAUSE to Host Kickoff for 2019 Leadership Academy Interns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org

Who:

Kim Yamasaki
Executive Director, CAUSE

Charlie Woo
Board Chair, CAUSE

Erika Ngo
Assembly Fellow, Office of California State Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer
2017 CAUSE Leadership Academy Alumnus

Tammy Tran
Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Local Public Affairs,Southern California Edison
Board Member, CAUSE

Tammy Bui
Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations, Cal State Fullerton
Board Member, CAUSE

Audrey Soriano
Manager of Leadership Development, CAUSE

2019 CAUSE Leadership Academy Interns

Amanda Yuen
Intern at Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley

Amber Chong
Intern at the Office of Assemblymember Ed Chaua

Amy Ho
Intern at the Office of Congressman Lou Correa

Angela Wang
Intern at IW Group

Brandon Tabata
Intern at Transparent Arts

Lena Nguyen
Intern at Southern California Gas Company

Maamaloa Finau
Intern at Los Angeles Walks

Matthew Lee
Intern at the Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu

Maya Wong
Intern at East West Players

Nina Long
Intern at EV Connect

Olivia Dulai
Intern at the Office of Senator Ben Allen

Shekinah Deocares
Intern at Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)

Shumin He
Intern at the Office of State Treasurer Fiona Ma

Thanh Mai
Intern at the Office of Congressmember Grace Napolitano

Yanqing Lei
Intern at CAUSE

What: The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA), is a nine-week paid internship program for college undergraduates that prepares the next generation to lead and represent the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.

Founded in 1991 as the California Asian American Student Internship Coalition (CASIC), CLA’s goal is to develop a pipeline of civic leadership for the APA community. As the fastest growing community in the United States, it is key that representation and leadership in the public, private, and non-profit sectors keep pace with our country’s changing demographics.

Through CLA, students are exposed to thought leaders, policymakers, and the issues of the day. Interns gain a deeper awareness of the civic issues facing the APA community in California. By the program’s end, students will have an understanding of how to engage in the politics of the day to affect the change they want to see in the world. Graduates of this program have gone on to run for political office and become leaders in politics, business, and nonprofits.

When: Friday, June 21, 2019
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Where: Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
350 S Bixel St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Parking is avaialble at 416 S. Boylston Street. It is a 2-minute walk to the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

Why: The CAUSE Leadership Academy Kickoff brings together elected officials, community leaders, and families to welcome the 2019 class of Leadership Academy interns!

Interview Opportunities: 

Interviews may be conducted before the program at the discretion of speakers and Leadership Academy interns. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.

Photo Opportunities:

1. Leadership Academy interns

2. Tami Bui (Keynote Speaker)

3. Erika Ngo (MC)

Dress code:

Business attire is appropriate.

About CAUSE

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the  political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.

For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

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亞美政聯領導力培訓班 學員畢業讚實用 (World Journal)

山景學區教委吳孟臻（左三）等學員在亞美政聯領導力培訓班畢業典禮合影。（記者張越╱攝影）

亞美政聯（CAUSE）領導力培訓班（Leadership Institute）畢業典禮15日在巴沙迪那舉行。參加此次培訓班的25位學員以及贊助企業代表參加，亞美政聯執行長山崎（Kim Yamasaki）祝賀學員順利畢業，以及祝願他們在未來的道路中發揮亞裔的領導力量。

領導力培訓班是為期六個月的活動，學員們每月集中一次上課。洛杉磯台美菁英協會副會長丁永樂、山景學區（Mountain View School District）華裔教委吳孟臻也是本屆畢業生。他們表示，每月相聚都是一整天封閉式教學和討論，請來的老師都是在各個領域傑出的亞裔領袖，培訓讓他們受益匪淺。

吳孟臻表示，參加這樣的培訓，對她擔任學區教委提升了領導力，拓寛了視野和增強了人際關係，對於從政事業很有幫助；而且身為地產經紀，她也可以將所學知識用於自己的職業，實用性很強。

山崎祝賀每一位學員順利畢業，並且鼓勵他們在未來積極發揮自己所學到的領導才能，帶領亞裔民眾和主流社會交流融合，成為新生代的領導力量。

CAUSE to Host Graduation for 2019 Leadership Institute Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org

Who:

Kim Yamasaki
Executive Director, CAUSE

Claire Kitayama
Director, Operations and Business Intelligence, United Way of Los Angeles
2017 Political Institute* Alumnus (*Now Leadership Institute)

Renee Chang
Senior Vice President, Consumer Banking Regional Manager,East West Bank

Tammy Tran
Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Local Public Affairs,Southern California Edison
Board Member, CAUSE

CAUSE Leadership Institute

Augustine Han
Field Representative, California State Senator Janet Nguyen

Bianca Nepales
Director, Impact in Schools, Teach for America

Carmen Chang
Former Field Director, CA-25, California Democratic Party

Carmille Lim
Consultant: Global Programs & Operations
Muppies: Muslim Urban Professionals

Carolyn Chu
Programs Associate, Equality California

Christopher Teng Balmaseda
Vice President, Taiwanese American Professionals-Los Angeles Chapter (TAP-LA)
Co-Founder & CFO, Arclyte Technologies, Inc.

Cindy Wu
School Board Member, Mountain View School District

Clint Weirick
Principal Consultant, Clint Weirick Consulting

Denise Luu
Communications Specialist, Public Affairs, Southern California Edison

Derek Oye
Chair, Board of Directors, Taiko Community Alliance

Eileen Ung
Public Finance Analyst, Los Angeles Chapter President, MUFG

Eunice Kang
Office Manager, Young Kim for Congress

Hoang Nguyen
AAPI Liaison, Field Deputy, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis

Jasmeet Bains
Commissioner, California Healthcare Policy Commission

Jason Galisatus
Community Relations Associate, Stanford University Office of Government & Community Relations

Jeffrey Lee
Senior Analyst / Planning Commissioner (Vice Chair), Southern California Edison

Jingjing Cheng
Senior Director, Colliers International

JunHee Doh
Policy & Research Analyst, Advancement Project California

Kenneth Ahn
Caseworker, Office of Congressmember Karen Bass

Kyle Lee
Community Coordinator, Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles

Meredith Maimoni
Community Relations Manager, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Stephanie Cherng
Project Manager ll, SoCalGas

Steven Chow
Vice President, OCA-GLA

Taylor Quan
Staff Assistant, Office of Senator Ling Ling Chang

Xeres Villanueva
Project Director, WE Empowerment Center

What: The CAUSE Leadership Institute (CLI), is a six-month fellowship program for high-potential working professionals that develops leaders to effectively advocate for the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.

Through CLI, fellows are empowered with the knowledge, access, and network to embark on their own civic leadership paths. Fellows emerge from the program prepared to support advocate and serve as leaders of the APA community. Every CLI session addresses each aspect of the curriculum to ensure continuous exposure to the qualities that make a CAUSE leader.

CLI Fellows graduate the program with dedication to lead change in their industry and build cross-sector connections for positive change. They will have new perspectives, respect for the complicated nature of our civic landscape, and renewed vigor to lead that change themselves.

When: Saturday, June 15, 2019
6:00-8:00PM

Where: Pasadena Conservatory of Music, PCM Auditorium
100 North Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106

On-site parking is available.

Why: The CAUSE Leadership Institute Graduation celebrates the 2019 Leadership Institute fellows' accomplishments and completion of the program. Join us in recognizing and celebrating this year's cohort!

Interview Opportunities: 

Interviews may be conducted at the discretion of attending Leadership Institute fellows. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.

Photo Opportunities:

1. Graduating Leadership Institute fellows

2. Jasmeet Bains (Keynote Speaker)

3. Claire Kitayama (MC)

Dress code:

Business attire is appropriate.

About CAUSE

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the  political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.

For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

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LAUSD Commits Itself to Improving Diversity and Classroom Experience for Asian American Students (Balitang America)

LOS ANGELES — As the country’s second-largest school district looks to service its multicultural classrooms, district officials took steps towards finding out how they can improve the classroom experience, and their focus is on Asian-American students.

LAUSD closed out Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the “Everyone Counts” resolution.

The resolution, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, will use data to identify specific issues among Asian American students in the nations second largest school district.

“We are committed to your success, this district has changed the way we identify our racial-ethnic identifications, how to disaggregate data, how to stay in conversations with the community, and above all how to reach out to every family so they know too yes, they too count,” says Monica Garcia, LAUSD Board President.

Eventually, the initiative will hope to lead to programs for specific communities in certain areas as needed.

Filipinos are one of the only Asian groups to have disaggregated data, makeup 2 percent of the student population, while Asians make up 4 percent of the 700-thousand strong LAUSD student body.

Breaking down this data will help these minority students improve by getting better services.

“The uniting message behind these stories is that not all our Asian students are thriving, and without disaggregated data LA Unified has no way in the means of quantifying its 85,000 or 18% AANHPI AMEMSA students,” said Andrew Murphy Office of LAUSD President.

The resolution will include Asian Pacific American, South Asian, and middle eastern students and employees, which Filipino community leaders welcome.

“This is going to be steps to get classes such as language classes ethnic studies and also mental health services for our Filipino community.”

Despite the unanimous passage, school board members did express a few concerns, and have asked that other ethnic groups including Hispanics should be also have their data broken down.

“I think it’ll be very helpful for us to know the progress and learning pluses and minuses per country.”

For the next 4 months, the district will develop a plan on how to accomplish its goal of making sure everyone counts.

CAUSE 26th Annual Gala (Balitang America)

亞美政聯年會 擬募款20萬元 (World Journal)

亞美政聯26屆年會上，受邀嘉賓及部分理事會成員合影。（記者啟鉻／攝影）

亞美政聯（CAUSE )第26屆年會18日晚舉行，今年年會主題為：我們定調未來（The Future We Define )。聯邦眾議員趙美心、加州眾議員周本立、加州主計長余淑婷（Betty Yee）等與會致辭。亞美政聯主席胡澤群表示，只有強化亞裔人群在美國社會的領導力，才能決定亞裔的未來，這也正是今年年會主題。年會參與者逾400人，包括民選官員、商界領袖、律師、社區活躍人士等。

胡澤群表示，本次活動既是年會也是募款會，預計募款額超過20萬元。他說，「我們的未來與亞裔群體在美國拓展領導能力緊密相關，單純的政治領導力無法獨立承擔，應該有各個其他團體，包括非營利團體、民權團體、經濟組織等互相協助才能完成。如此為亞裔社區提供動能，推動社區整體進步，並融入主流社會，以便亞裔美國人在主流社會發揮作用，從而提升整個亞裔群體在美國社會的地位。」過去多年，亞美政聯致力在提升領導力，也是亞美政聯迅速擴大原因。

周本立表示，亞美政聯成立20餘年，每年都贊助優秀亞裔家庭子弟，加入培訓領導能力實習項目，目的從亞裔年輕人開始，發展領導力，未來這些子弟有的會成為市議員、眾議員，有的甚至可能會競選總統，有的也會成為商業領袖。同時每年亞美政聯還會舉辦各種主題論壇、講座，邀請各界人士討論亞裔民眾在美生活現狀，面臨問題及解決辦法、如何維權。

亞太社區基金會執行長黃群雁多年參與亞美政聯活動，她認為亞裔在美國主流社會強調參政非常重要，要關心社區，成為社區領袖，幫助亞裔社區爭取更多權益，並能夠積極發聲維權。而且在人口普查時，也要積極參與，因為這樣能夠讓亞裔社區的需要讓政府了解，不能被忽視，還要進一步為亞裔社區爭取更多資源。當天活動頒發社區合作夥伴獎和Norman Y. Mineta Legacy Award給三位傑出女性。

Asian American Leaders, Community Advocates Launch CAUSE Leadership Network (Balitang America)

LOS ANGELES — A diverse groups of Asian Americans have kicked off their latest installment of the Center for Asian Americans United for Empowerment, or CAUSE, program.

It’s a 26-year-old collective of Asian Americans finding ways to empower the fastest growing demographic in the US.

Over the years, CAUSE has helped push for civic engagement, while grooming future Asian American leaders.

Last year it held a gubernatorial debate.

Now in its second year, the CAUSE Leadership Network is made up of some 60 mostly Asian American members, representing different sectors from government to corporate, nonprofit, the legal community and media.

“The CAUSE Leadership Network was founded with the intention to increase representation at the executive leadership level, to foster cross-sector collaboration, to address community issues, to change the civic landscape in Southern California, to reflect the AAPI community, and lastly to support a network of members with personal and career development,” said director John Tang.

The members of the CLN met atop Los Angeles City Hall, where they got to hear from the leaders and keynote speaker Bill Wong Political Director for California’s State Assembly Democrats.

“So of the 60 plus members of the CAUSE Leadership Network, I am very surprised delighted and honored to be one of the newest members, so I look forward to seeing what we can do as BA in terms of helping empower the Asian American community. I also looking forward to hearing from the other Asian American community members, meeting with other people from different sectors different industries.”

Data from CAUSE shows in the US, about one out every 17 people is Asian American; however, the country’s most influential positions in both the private and public center lack the Asian American perspective.

“Despite our AAPI community being 6% of the country’s population we are nowhere near 6% of the leadership positions that are out there and in a region as diverse as Southern California, we are definitely more than 6% of the population, yet we are only 4% of the Fortune 500 board seats and 5% of foundation board seats and there aren’t even numbers tracking aapi leadership representation in other sectors,” said Jade Leung.

As CAUSE launches events, and workshops and looks to tackle non-partisan issues to benefit the Asian American community, the 26th annual CAUSE gala will take place next month in downtown Los Angeles, and looks to honor the high ranking Asian Kim Delevett of Southwest Airlines and Dr. Leana Wen Planned Parenthood Foundation of America.

廣結人脈 亞美政聯青年政治領袖交流 (World Journal)

亞美政聯鼓勵青年多參與公共事務，並藉此平台讓不同領域的亞太裔人士彼此認識，建立人脈。（記者林佩錦／攝影）

亞美政聯（CAUSE）於27日晚間在洛杉磯市政廳舉辦華裔青年政治領袖交流會。（記者林佩錦／攝影）

影音來源：記者林佩錦

亞美政聯（CAUSE）27日晚在洛杉磯市政廳舉辦華裔青年政治領袖交流會。鼓勵青年參與公共事務，藉此平台讓不同領域亞太裔人士彼此認識、建立人脈。加州民主黨委員會政治主任黃健安（Bill Wong）與來賓分享自己如何從新移民走到今天的歷程。

菲律賓裔公共事務委員Jessica Caloza表示，青年政治領袖交流會讓首次參加者，瞭解政府機關內部真實樣貌，也能近距離與官員交談，得到不同啟發。目前洛杉磯從事政治相關行業的亞太裔僅占6%，但族裔人口數遠遠大於此，希望更多亞太裔進入政治相關行業。

可口可樂公共關係主任彭國鋒(John Tang)表示，亞美政聯多年來致力培養亞太青年領袖，提升在美政治參與。當晚活動可凝結亞太裔社區力量，還有可能在未來職業生涯獲得更多機會。

黃健安指出，世界上有兩種人，一種人常常問為什麼(Ask why)，另一種人則只會想知道是誰問的(Ask who)。亞太裔成長背景讓我們習慣問為什麼，但我們必須要成為第二種人，因為政治領袖跟人有著特殊的連結。

黃健安說，自己是香港移民第一代，出身不高卻能走到今天職位，他手握2500萬元預算，這些權力能帶給別人很大影響。領導能力不是一種技能，而是當你找到個人魅力及特點，讓別人願意追隨你。「人生最重要的兩個時刻是出生的那天和你找到答案的那天。」

CAUSE to host “Meet the Network” Reception for the CAUSE Leadership Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213) 269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org

Who:

Kim Yamasaki
Executive Director, CAUSE

Bill Wong
Political Director, California Assembly Democrats

CAUSE Leadership Council

Lisa Thong (Chair)
Policy Consultant, API Forward Movement

Jessica Caloza
Director of Scheduling, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

Jade Leung
Attorney, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP 

Adam Ma
Community Relations, SoCalGas

John Tang
Director, Government Relations & Public Affairs, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling

The Honorable Thomas Wong
Board President, San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District

CAUSE Leadership Network

Steve Angeles, Multimedia Journalist at ABS-CBN Global
Joseph Bernardo, Intercultural Affairs Associate at Loyola Marymount University
Shikha Bhatnagar, Executive Director of South Asian Network
Scott Chan, Director of API Forward Movement
Justin Ching, Producer at j-school
Ricky Choi, Public Affairs Project Manager at Lee Andrews Group
Anna Marie Cruz, Founder of Entrepinayship
Mike Fong, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations at the City of Los Angeles, Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Yoomee Ha
Jen Harris, Prevention Coordinator at Behavioral Health Services, Inc (CLI Alumni)
Tony Hoang, Managing Director at Equality California
Kelly Honda Takasu, Public Policy Manager at Alzheimer's Los Angeles
Lindsey Horowitz, Corps Member at Teach for America
Emi Kamemoto, Human Resources Executive at Creative Artists Agency
Steve Kang, Director of External Affairs at KYCC
Tae Kang, Special Projects at Harbor Freights Tools for Schools (CLI Alumni)
Stacia Kato, Vendor Management Consultant at Toyota Financial Services
Travis Kaya, Real Estate Associate at Venable LLP
Saurabh Kikani, Stand-Up Comedian
Sylvia Kim, Chief Innovation Officer at Asian Pacific Community Fund
Claire Kitayama, Director, Operations and Business Intelligence at United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Kavi Lal, Program Associate at the Annenberg Foundation
Connie Lee, Vice President at Citi Community Capital
Edward Lee, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at USC Keck School of Medicine
Olivia Lee, Public Policy Manager at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Lee, Co-Founder + Executive Director of The Spectrum Works
Kevin Lian, Executive Director of Pet Partners, California Chapter
Milton Liu, Director of Programs & Artist Services at Visual Communications
Samuel Liu, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Office of California State Senator Ben Allen
Henry Lo, Boardmember of Garvey School District
Jeff Maloney, Chief Staff Counsel at the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
Andrew Murphy, Policy Deputy at the Office of LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia
Farzana Nayani, Diversity & Inclusion Specialist at Manazil Management, LLC
Stephanie Nitahara, Executive Director of Kizuna
Devin Osiri, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party
Gerrard Panahon, Senior Financial Analyst, FP&A NASA at Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Dora Quach, Development Manager at East West Players
Max Reyes, Senior Management Analyst at the City of Los Angeles
Emmanor Rigonan, Tax Attorney at US Tax Shield
James Roh, Chief Operating Officer of Transparent Arts
Miguel Sangalang, Deputy Mayor at the City of Los Angeles, Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti
Paul Seo, Deputy District Attorney at the LA County District Attorney's Office
Lawrence Shih, Board of Supervisor's Deputy at the LA County Dept of Public Social Services (Former Deputy District Director)
Justin Tandingan, Managing Director of Recruitment at Teach for America
Kenney Tran, Store Manager at Walmart
Elnie Vannatim, Director, Government & Public Affairs at 21st Century Fox
Michael Vuong, Legislative Analyst at California Contract Cities Association
Alton Wang
Melanie Yamamoto, Grants Associate at The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Bryant Yang, Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office
Nancy Yap, Director of Development at LEAP
Clayton Yeung, Director, Community Alliances, Events, & Engagement at Nielsen
John Yi, Executive Director of Los Angeles Walks

What: Meet the emerging impact makers who drive our collective APA community forward! The CAUSE Leadership Network is an invitation-only, membership program for next generation leaders to channel skills, expertise, and passion for cross-sector advancement and the empowerment of APA communities. Members are committed to creating space for and driving our collective APA community forward. 

When: Wednesday, March 27, 2019
6:00-8:00PM

Where: Los Angeles City Hall, Tom Bradley Tower
200 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

On-site parking is available via RSVP only. If you need a parking space, please add a "Parking RSVP" ticket through our Eventbrite registration (clnreception.eventbrite.com) and fill out the required information. Surrounding lots are also available at varying rates.

Why: The Reception will be an introduction of the CAUSE Leadership Network to the broader community. It will provide a platform of visibility for Network members for corporate executive officers, nonprofit executive directors, head-hunters, press, etc.

Interview Opportunities: 

Interviews may be conducted at the discretion of attending Leadership Council & Network members. For press-related inquiries, please email Haidee Pan, Director of Marketing & Communications, at haidee@causeusa.org.

Photo Opportunities:

1. Leadership Council members

2. Leadership Network members

3. Bill Wong (Keynote Speaker)

Dress code:

Business attire is appropriate.

About CAUSE

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the  political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.

For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

###

‘개스세 철회’ ‘렌트컨트롤 확대’찬반 팽팽 (Korea Times)

30일 LA 한인회에서 열린 유권자 웍샵에서 참석자들이 이번 중간선거에 나온 각 선출직 후보와 주민발의안들을 설명하는 자료를 유심히 살펴보고 있다.

“한인 정치력 신장을 위해 각 선출직 후보들과 발의안 내용을 잘 확인하고 투표에 꼭 참여하세요”

오는 11월6일 실시되는 연방과 주의회 및 기타 선출직 결선을 앞두고 LA한인회가 한인 유권자들을 대상으로 선거 관련 핵심 정보를 제공하는 유권자 교육 웍샵을 30일 한인회관에서 가졌다.

한인회가 아시안정치력신장연합(CAUSE)과 함께 파트너십을 맺고 마련한 이날 웍샵에는 50여 명의 한인들이 참석해 이번 중간선거에 나온 선출직 후보들과 찬반투표에 부쳐질 주요 발의안들에 대한 설명을 듣고 정확한 투표법을 배우는 시간을 가졌다.

이날 킴 야마사키 CAUSE 사무국장은 “캘리포니아 주 전체 유권자 가운데 한인을 비롯한 아시안 유권자가 15%에 달하고 있어 이들 유권자가 선거의 승패를 좌우하는 스윙보트 역할을 할 수 있기 때문에 유권자들에게 투표를 독려하고 보다 정확한 선거 정보를 제공하기 위해 이번 웍샵을 개최하게 됐다”고 밝혔다.

이번 선거에서는 캘리포니아에서 주지사, 부지사, 검찰총장, 총무처장관, 보험국장, 재무관, 회계감사관, 보험국장, 공교육감 등에 대한 선거가 열리게 된다.

찰리 우 CAUSE 이사장은 공직자 선출과 더불어 주민발의안들이 11개나 상정돼 유권자들이 직접 그 운명을 결정하게 될 예정으로 각 내용과 함께 찬반에 따르는 영향에 대해서 설명했다.

먼저 상정된 발의안 11개 중 특히 개스세 인상 철회를 담은 발의안 6과 렌트 컨트롤 규제 확대안인 발의안 10은 찬반 의견이 팽팽하게 맞서고 있어 결과가 주목된다고 설명했다.

지난해 캘리포니아 주의회를 통과해 시행되고 있는 갤런당 12센트의 개솔린 세금 인상을 철회하자는 내용을 골자로 하는 ‘개스세 인상 철회안’의 경우, 개스 가격 상승으로 인해 서민들의 부담이 커지고 있어 공화당 측과 일부 시민단체들을 중심으로 발의안 6에 ‘찬성’표를 찍어 개스세 인상을 철회하자는 캠페인이 전개되고 있다.

그러나 발의안 6 반대 측은 개스세 인상안이 철회될 경우 현재 캘리포니아에서 추진되거나 시행되고 있는 각종 교통체증 감소 및 교통 시스템 개선을 위한 프로젝트가 중단돼 교통 인프라가 위험에 처하고 주민들이 직접적인 악영향을 받게 된다며 제리 브라운 주지사와 에릭 가세티 LA시장 등이 적극 반대 캠페인을 펼치고 있다.

또 치솟는 캘리포니아주 주거비 부담으로 인해 1995년 이후에 건립된 아파트나 주택의 렌트비 인상에 상한선 규제를 두지 못하도록 하는 ‘코스타-호킨스법’을 폐지시키고, 각 지방 정부가 자율적으로 렌트 컨트롤 규제를 시행할 수 있도록 지방 정부의 권한을 확대하는 내용을 골자로 하는 발의안 10에 대해 찬성 측은 노숙자로 내몰릴 수 있는 주민들이 줄어들고 렌트비 상승을 지역정부가 조절할 수 있다는 점을 내세우고 있다.

하지만 반대 측은 이 발의안이 통과될 경우 경제성장을 늦추고 오히려 주택위기를 악화시킬 수 있어 기존 주택가격이 상승할 우려가 있다고 주장하고 있다.

이외에도 55세 이상 주택 소유주가 주택을 매각한 뒤 이사해도 이전에 적용받던 재산세를 유지한다는 내용의 발의안 5, 서머타임제 폐지 여부를 묻는 발의안 7, 주택 보조 프로그램을 위한 채권발행안 발의안 1, 정신질환 환자들의 주택 기금 조성을 위한 채권 발행안인 발의안 2 등이 상정되어 주민들의 투표를 기다리고 있다.

<박주연 기자>

한인들 선거관심 ‘부쩍’ … 유권자 워크샵에서 주민발의안 설명 경청 (RADIO SEOUL)

11월6일 중간선거가 코 앞에 닥치자 한인들의 선거관심도 부쩍 높아졌습니다.

타운에서 열린 유권자 워크샵을 찾은 한인 유권자들은 갖가지 주민발의안에 대해 설명듣고, 투표용지 작성 등의 실질적인 선거참여 교육을 받았습니다.

김 지효 기잡니다.

LA 한인회와 아시안 정치력 신장연합, CAUSE가 화요일 한인회관에서 유권자 교육 워크샵을 마련했습니다.

이번 선거에는 특히 실생활과 밀접한 주민발의안들이 많아 이를 제대로 알고 투표하려는 한인들은 웍샵에서 11가지에 이르는 주민발의안에 대해 설명듣고, 유권자 등록과 투표용지 작성, 우편발송 등 실질적인 선거참가 교육을 받았습니다..

아시안 정치력 신장연합의 찰리 우 이사장입니다.

<여러분이 누군가에 따라, 각자의 사정이 다르니까 주민 발의안에 대해 다른 표결을 하겠죠. 우리는 여러분이 각자의 이익을 위한 방향이 무엇인지를 이해하고 표결할 수 있도록 돕고 싶습니다.>

많은 한인들이 헷갈리던 주민발의안을 바로 알고, 찬반 결정을 하는데 큰 도움이 됐다며 설명에 고개를 끄덕였습니다.

<5번에 대한 거는 설명해 주신 걸 듣고 판단이 섰고….(많은 사람들이) 선거에 대한 관심도가 많이 없으시잖아요. 이렇게 좋은 기회가 있어서 알려주시면 많이 와서 참석하고 들으시고 판단 하실 수 있는 그런 기회가 됐으면 좋겠어요>

<내가 제일 관심 있던 거는 개스세 하고 집하고…좋았어요 너무 좋았어요>

<투표에 관해서 물어보려고 왔어요. 도움이 많이 됐습니다>

이번이 처음 선거에 참여한다는 한인들도 찾았습니다.

<이해 안가는 부분도 많고 그래서 이해하려고 왔어요. 저는 부동산을 갖고 있으니까 부동산 세가 오르는 것에 대해서 굉장히 관심을 갖고 있어요. 이번에 선거를 처음 하거든요. 제 권리도 좀 행사하고 싶고…>

자신의 개인정보 등 유권자 등록 상태와 선거 후보자 명단은 LA 카운티 주민은 lavote.net 에서 온라인으로 확인할 수 있으며, 아직 유권자 등록을 하지 않았다면 선거당일 선거국에서 등록 후 투표할 수 있습니다.

김 지효 기자

중간선거 D-8, “후보와 발의안 내용 숙지 후 투표하세요!” (Radio Korea News)

[앵커멘트]

다음달(11월) 중간선거가 일주일 정도 남은 가운데
한인 유권자들이 투표시 필수적으로 알아야 할
정보를 제공하기 위한 세미나가 열렸습니다.

세미나에서 한인 유권자들은 주지사 등 각 후보들의 정보와
개스세 인상안을 철회하는 주민발의안 6 그리고
새롭게 바뀐 투표 용지에 대한 문의가 가장 많았습니다.

박수정기자가 보도합니다.

[리포트]

다음달(11월) 중간선거가 막바지에 접어들었지만
아직까지도 일부 한인 유권자들 사이에서는
어떤 후보가 출마했는지 또는 11개에 달하는 주민발의안은
어떤 내용인지에 대해 혼란이 일고 있습니다.

이에따라 LA한인회와 아시안정치력신장연합CAUSE가 함께
한인 유권자들에게 선거와 관련된 내용을 알리고
투표를 독려하기 위한 세미나를
오늘(30일) 한인회관에서 개최했습니다.

특히 이번 세미나에는
한인 유권자들이 가장 많은 관심을 갖고 있는
한인 출마 후보는 물론, 개스비 인상 철회안을 포함한
11개에 달하는 주민발의안에 관한 내용 등이 담겼습니다.

LA한인회 스티브 강 부회장입니다.
<녹취_LA한인회 스티브 강 부회장>

또 새롭게 개정된 투표 용지에 대해
한인 유권자들의 혼란을 막기위해
유의해야 할 사항도 전했습니다.

<녹취2_LA한인회 스티브 강 부회장_ 투표용지가 이전 선거와는 달리 후보 이름 옆에 체크할 수 있게 바뀌어 유의하셔야하고 우편투표용지의 경우 스탬프 없이 발송하셔도 됩니다.>

세미나에는 시민권 취득 후 첫 투표를 하는 한인부터
각자 관심을 갖고있는 주민발의안에 대한
자세한 정보를 얻기 위해 많은 유권자들이 참석했습니다.

<녹취_한인 유권자들>

특히 한인 후보에 대한 궁금증도 높았는데
영 김 39지구 연방하원의원 후보과
LA카운티 수피리어 코트 60호 판사에 출마한 토니 조 검사,
써니 박 부에나팍 1지구 시의원 후보,
박동우 부에나팍 1지구 교육위원 후보 등 한인 후보에 대한 정보를 알렸습니다.

개스비 인상 철회안 주민발의안6,
주택 소유주 재산세 혜택 방안 주민발의안 5,
영구적으로 서머타임을 폐지하는 주민발의안 7,
지역 임대료 규제안인 주민 발의안 10 등이
한인 유권자에게 가장 높은 관심을 받고 있습니다.

또 한인 유권자들은 투표의 중요성을 강조하며

다른 한인들의 투표 참여를 독려했습니다.

<녹취_한인들>

라디오코리아 뉴스 박수정입니다.

박수정 기자
© RK Media - 무단전재 및 재배포 금지

‘중간선거 궁금증 해결’ 워크숍…LA한인회·커즈와 공동으로 (Korea Daily)

| 30일 오전 LA한인회관 개최

중간선거를 앞두고 LA한인회(회장 로라 전)는 비영리단체 커즈(CAUSE)와 함께 유권자 교육 워크숍을 개최한다.

25일 LA한인회관에서 열린 기자회견에서 로라 전 LA한인회장은 “최근 한인회로 11월 중간선거에 대한 문의가 쇄도하고 있다”며 “궁금증을 한꺼번에 해결할 수 있도록 커즈와 함께 워크숍을 마련했다”고 밝혔다.

한인회 측에 따르면 이번 중간선거에는 주지사 선거부터 연방하원의원 등 중요한 현안들이 많다.

특히 렌트 컨트롤, 개스세 철회 등 민생과 연결된 주민발의안이 많아 한인들의 문의가 잇따르고 있다.

워크숍은 오는 30일 화요일 오전 11시부터 LA한인회관에서 개최되며 커즈에서 나온 투표전문가가 주요 사안에 대해서 설명하게 된다.

워크숍은 영어로 진행되는데 한인회 측에서 한국어 통역을 제공해 영어가 익숙하지 않은 한인들도 큰 어려움 없이 설명을 들을 수 있도록 했다.

▶문의: (323)732-0700 LA한인회

LA 한인회 ‘유권자 교육 웍샵’ (The Korea Times)

LA 한인회가 11·6 중간선거에서 한인 유권자들의 올바른 선택을 돕기 위한 교육 웍샵을 30일 오전 11시부터 한인회 1층 대회의실에서 개최한다. 비영리기관 CAUSE와 여는 이번 웍샵에서는 6일 발의안 내용과 새롭게 바뀐 우편투표용지 등 투표 전반에 걸친 설명이 한국어로 이뤄지며 항공권 등 다양한 경품도 추첨을 통해 제공될 예정이다. CAUSE 김 야마자키(왼쪽부터) 국장과 LA 한인회 로라 전 회장, 스티브 강 부회장이 행사를 알리고 있다.

<김철수 기자>

亞美政聯：移民可合法申請福利 (World Journal)

亞美政聯（CAUSE )25日在南加大(USC)舉辦移民社區醫療保健（Healthcare in the Immigrant Community)座談，亞美政聯市場開發計劃主任潘蕓（Haidee Pan）介紹，川普政府正在策劃健保、移民改革，一旦實施對亞裔社區移民將是不小衝擊。一些移民申請綠卡時，對申請有關政府福利很有顧慮，擔心有負面影響。目前移民還是可以依法申請公共福利，希望他們勿受不實消息困擾。

移民維權團體的主講嘉賓黃笑萍（Doreena Wong）是健康福利項目主管，從事亞裔維權活動30餘年。她表示，多次聽到來自華人社區的移民反應，當他們去政府部門辦理申請福利文件時，工作人員就會告知他們，申請政府福利會影響綠卡申請。因此，不少新移民在等待綠卡時，擔心自己申請政府福利項目，將對獲得永久居民身分有負面影響。

但她認為，這種想法有誤，政府部門職員傳遞這種信息也是不正確的。雖然目前政府正在考慮是否將申請福利與轉變身分關聯起來，但並未實施。所以她建議華人移民，若符合低收入條件，並確實需要申請政府福利，包括低收入健保、糧食券、住房補貼等，儘管申請，勿要擔心會影響轉換身分。

黃笑萍表示，公共福利政策改革對亞裔社區影響頗大，移民團體向川普政府表達了反對申請政府公共福利與身分變更相關聯的改革方案，這項訴求會繼續下去。這次座談會也是向公眾澄清，避免混淆視聽。同時在部分弱勢家庭學生中也有類似顧慮。她鼓勵這些學生向所在地區民意代表，例如聯邦眾議員、參議員陳情。她表示，至於這項福利改革什麼時候會實施，目前尚不得而知，政府仍在聽取各方意見。