Strengthening and Advocating for Asian American Native Hawai‘Ian/ Pacific Islander Communities

Strengthening and Advocating for Asian American Native Hawai‘ian/ Pacific Islander Communities

California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs

2012 Annual report Message from the Chair: Blong Xiong

GOVERNOR Edmund G. Brown, Jr., MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE PEOPLE OF THE GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA:

On behalf of the dedicated citizens who serve on the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, I am honored to present to you this report of the Commission’s 2012 activities. Since our establishment in 2002, our goal has been to give voice to California’s vibrant, highly diverse, and continually-growing Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) communities. We bring public officials together with community-based and civic organizations that devote their mission and programs to the needs of their APIA constituents. The highlights in this report provide a summary of the breadth of the Commission’s activities. This year’s report also includes an historical review of the issues that the Commission has focused on over the years, since our inception a decade ago. We also pay tribute to the past appointed commissioners who served during the years since operations began in 2004. Last year was a period of change as we acknowledged the great public service of Assemblymember Warren Furutani, who retired from office. During his tenure as a state legislator, he was a moving force for the Commission and our goal to strengthen APIA communities. There was a change in Commission membership as well, with Tami Bui, Courtni Pugh, Alice Wong, and Bill Wong stepping down. We welcomed three vital new members: Judi Ki, Steven Ma, and Chiem-Seng Yaangh. The distinguished members of the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus have been essential to our work. We are extremely grateful to Assemblymembers Paul Fong and Das Williams, Caucus chair and vice chair, respectively; Assemblymembers Mike Eng, Paul Fong, Warren Furutani, Mary Hayashi, Ted Lieu, Fiona Ma, Alberto Torrico, and Mariko Yamada; Senators Leland Yee and Carol Liu; and honorary members Controller John Chiang and Board of Equalization member Betty Yee. In 2012, we welcomed new APIA legislators in the State Assembly: Rob Bonta, Al Muratsuchi, Ed Chau, and Phil Ting. Andrew Medina provided support for the Commission in 2012, and Diane Ujiiye, past founding commissioner and executive director of APIsCAN, continues to guide us with her expertise, resources, and insight. Special Services for Groups serves as our fiscal sponsor. We are grateful for the stability and continuity they bring to the Commission. And importantly, we thank former Assemblymember George Nakano, who authored Assembly Bill 116, the legislation that created our Commission in 2002. His vision a decade ago enabled APIA affairs to be heard on a statewide policy level.

Commissioner Blong Xiong, Chair

Mission The mission of the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs is to elevate the political, economic, and social issues of Asians and Pacific Islanders by contributing to and strengthening how state government addresses the needs, issues, and concerns of the diverse and complex Asian and Pacific Islander American communities in California.

Role of the Commission The role of the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs is to: • Advise the Governor and Legislature on how to respond most effectively to the views, needs, and concerns of the state’s Asian and Pacific Islander American communities. • Serve as an effective liaison for Asian and Pacific Islander American communities with the Governor’s Office and the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. • Examine issues of access and cultural language sensitivity by state agencies, departments, and commissions. • Provide assistance to policy makers and state agencies in identifying Asian and Pacific Islander American communities’ needs and issues and develop appropriate responses and programs. • Educate the public about hate crimes against Asian and Pacific Islander American communities.

Cover photos (l-r): Iu Mien New Year celebration in Sacramento (Immien.com), Vincent Chin 30th Anniversary event in Los Angeles, Hmong immersion program in the Sacramento City Unified School District. 2012 Activities: Highlights n 2012 Iu-Mien New Year Celebration national political campaign committees and members of There are approximately 50,000 Mien in the U.S., with Congress. Since its inception in 1999, more than 90 APIA 15,000 Mien living in Sacramento, making this city home elected officials have participated in the academy. to the largest population of Mien refugees in the U.S. It is n no wonder that President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders the Iu Mien New At the invitation of Daphne Year event in Kwok, chair of the national Sacramento President’s Advisory Commission hosted by the on AAPIs, Commissioners Tana United Iu-Mien Lepule and Dianne Yamashiro-Omi Community, Inc. attended the first convening of drew a crowd of state and more than 800 Commissioner Dianne Yamashiro-Omi in local APIA celebrants on Washington, DC, for commission- Commissioner Chiem-Seng Yaangh (l) and February 25. the convening of ers from Mayor Kevin Johnson at the Iu-Mien New Year Commissioner state and local APIA Celebration in Sacramento. (photo: immien.com) commissioners. throughout Chiem-Seng the country at the White House on May 9. Kiran Ahuja, Yaangh was an honored guest, representing both the executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Commission and his position as United Iu-Mien Communi- Americans and Pacific Islanders, orchestrated a full day of ty’s board president. In attendance were APIA leaders and briefings and updates on key policy issues towards the public officials, including Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. goal of coordinating federal efforts with state and local Dr. Yaangh welcomed the attendees and spoke about the work. Commissioners took the opportunity to share their importance of a united Mien community as acculturation histories and current challenges, discussing grassroots in American society takes place at a rapid rate. efforts to serve APIA communities. Commissioner Lepule n 20th Anniversary of the L.A. Riots was instrumental in organizing representatives from the Events were held on Sunday, April 29, throughout the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community. At the Los Angeles region to remember the 1992 riots that convening, he engulfed Los Angeles after four police officers were and Richard acquitted of the beating of Rodney King, a black motorist, Calvin Chang, at the end of a car chase. A nearby resident captured the board member 1991 beating on video and when it aired on the nightly of Empowering news, the footage transfixed a nation. Nearly 13 months Pacific Islander later, on April 29, 1992, rioters took over the streets for Communities, three days, with more than 50 people dead, scores offered the hospitalized, and hundreds of businesses and homes “Policy Plat- destroyed. Commissioner Mimi Song attended the com- form Blueprint for Native NHPI leaders presented the “Policy Platform memoration sponsored by Korean Churches for Communi- Blueprint for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Hawaiians and ty Development. Speakers included Mayor Antonio Islanders in the U.S.” at the convening. Villaraigosa, Controller John Chiang, environmental Pacific Island- Commissioner Tana Lepule is in the lower right. activist Van Jones, and actor Edward James Olmos. ers in the United States” to set the foundation for a national advocacy effort for NHPIs in the U.S. n Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) National n API Summit, Sacramento (Diane Ujiiye) Leadership Academy Text forthcoming for 2012 API Summit in Sacramento In conjunction with the National Asian Pacific Ameri- on Apirl 30 and May 1. can Caucus of State Legislators and the Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials, the APAICS National Leader- ship Academy was held May 6-7 in Washington, DC. Commissioner Chiem-Yeng Yaangh became the first Iu-Mien American participant, attending as an APIA commissioner. The two-day academy provides APIA elected and appointed officials with intensive nonpartisan training to excel in their field, both in their current office and in preparation for opportunities to advance into higher office. The program includes specialized training sessions, networking opportunities, and meetings with 2012 Activities: Highlights n 30th Anniversary of Vincent Chin Hate n 2012 Candidates Forum, San Diego Crime Incident Commissioner Judy Ki With the advent of the 30th anniversary of Vincent moderated the 2012 Chin’s murder, the Commission voted unanimously to Candidates Forum spon- support the events commemorating a dark passage in sored by Asian Pacific Asian American history. Islander American Public Affairs Association’s San Vincent Chin 30: Standing Up Then and Now Diego Chapter (APA- Commissioner Noel Alumit represented the Commis- PA-CDC) and Civic Educa- sion at the June 23 viewing of “Vincent Chin 30: Standing tion and Policy Advocacy Up Then and Network (CEPA NET). CEPA Commissioner Judy Ki moderating a candidates forum in San Diego. Now” at the NET is a project spearhead- National Center ed by the Council of Philippine American Organizations for the Preser- (COPAO) and the Southwest Center of Asian Pacific vation of American Law (SCAPAL) built on the success in redistrict- Democracy ing at the state level. At the On September 8 event, (Japanese Congressional, state, and San Diego mayoral candidates American Na- discussed the issues and their positions to a crowd of tional Museum) interested citizens. in Los Angeles. n Among the Ninth Annual Asian Heritage Awards Vincent Chin 30 panelists for the afternoon were Community, business, and government leaders from coordinator Curtis throughout Southern California celebrated APIA achieve- Chin (no relation) Congressmember Judy Chu, chair of with Commissioner the Congressional Asian Pacific Ameri- ments at the 9th annual Asian Heritage Awards on Noel Alumit. can Caucus; Council on American-Is- September 15 in lamic Relations-SF executive director Zahra Billoo; OCA San Diego. The executive director Tom Hayashi; and Asian American annual event Justice Center executive director Mee Moua. Angry Asian recognized Man Blogger Phil Yu moderated. In 1982, Vincent Chin was achievements in 14 the victim of a hate crime murder in Detroit. Thirty years categories, honor- later, APIAs continue to face discrimination and bullying. ing the best and In light of recent tragedies like the extreme hazing and the brightest in subsequent death of Pvt. Danny Chen and the continuing community service effects of 9/11, APIAs are seeking ways to stand up against (l-r) Commissioner Judy Ki, Controller John and humanitarian racism and discrimination. Chiang, and Linda Tu, president of the San endeavors. With Diego Alliance of APIA Commissioner Judy Google Hangout Ki in attendance, APIAs receiving recognition included California controller John Chiang as special honoree and On June 30, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress Michael Vu, assistant Registrar of Voters, garnering the presented a nationwide “google hangout,” an event where government award. cities from across the country tuned in online to participate in a national discussion on hate crimes against Asian n Reception of the newly published Iu-Mienh Americans. “Vincent Chin’s death made an impression on English Dictionary me many The Center for Lao Studies and Silkworm Books held years ago,” an official book launch in San Francisco on December 15 said Commis- for An Iu-Mienh-English Dictionary, the groundbreaking sioner Alumit. compendium by Dr. Herbert C. Purnell. Commissioner “I wondered, Chiem-Seng Yaangh had the honor to introduce Dr. if this could Purnell, an American happen to missionary and linguist Vincent Chin, who spoke of his could this 26-year journey to happen to compile the me?” Dr. Herbert C. Purnell at a reception for An Iu-Mienh-English Dictionary. 2012 Activities: Highlights comprehensive Mien-English dictionary. At over 800 Credentialed pages with more than 5,600 words, 28,000 phrases, and Hmong bilingual 2,100 cultural notes laced with myths, poetry, and teachers are in ceremonies, the new dictionary preserves the fading Mien each of the language and culture. Commissioner Yaangh is one of classrooms so several Mien scholars who helped Dr. Purnell compile the that the pro- dictionary, explaining, “It’s one piece of the puzzle to gram teaches a preserve the Mien language worldwide.” second lan- On February 16, 2013, the book and its author were guage to all honored at a reception in Sacramento that drew more students. In an than 200 people from the Iu Mien community. ever-shrinking world, students n Hmong Dual Language Immersion Program Hmong dual language immersion class at Susan who grow up immersed in lan- Commissioner Catherine ‘Ofa Mann reported on the B. Anthony Elementary guage and culture have a competi- success of the Hmong dual language immersion program in Sacramento. tive edge,” remarked SCUSD at Susan B. Anthony Elementary School in the Sacramento Superintendent Jonathan Raymond. Commissioner ‘Ofa City Unified School District (SCUSD). Begun in the fall of Mann has been working closely with school principal Lee 2011, the program offers the only Hmong dual language Yang over the past eight years on the API Advisory for the immersion program in California, in which students are SCUSD and represents the Commission on the multiple taught literacy and content in both Hmong and English. steering committees on which she sits for the school district.

The Iu Mien in California: Special report

Excerpt from A Historical Perspective of Iu-Mien American Education by Chiem-Seng Yaangh, Ph.D.

Iu-Mien have always had a at loss as to what to do because love for knowledge and literacy. their children refuse to speak According to the legend of Mien at home. Crossing the Sea, the Mien did Nevertheless, some Iu-Mien have a written language, but they have become economically lost it when they crossed the sea. successful and have assimilated In addition, some Mien elders into the white middle class like believe that the original Mien other immigrants who came written language is the Chinese before them... Unfortunately, writing. Whether the Mien had many of these individuals do not another writing system or that of give back to the community, the Chinese, everyone would where the vast majority of Mien agree that there were traces of are living a mired existence where Mien written language in ancient times. Crystal & Sae- high crime and poverty prevails. These Iu-Mien families pharn (1992) states, “the Mien are a people of the moun- may be on public assistance due to disabilities, being tains, and yet at the same time they are a people of the unemployed without marketable skills, or employed with book; they were villagers with a tradition of literacy, unlike only entry-level manual labor jobs. Fortunately, some of their neighboring villagers” (p. 333). What is most remark- Iu-Mien are economically successful and are involved in able is Iu-Mien people have been able to maintain the advocacy and community development on behalf of their Chinese written language while living in the remote people. These immigrants are few in numbers, but they are mountain ranges for hundreds of years... most influential in helping their community. In the United States, the Mien are afforded many Regrettably, Iu-Mien ethnic identity, culture, and opportunities for education, but many have dropped out language are endangered, especially in the United States. of school and those who do graduate usually do not The Mien community is attempting to maintain its ethnic attend college. Among those who do attend college, many identity, but lacks education, leadership, and skills to do are not academically prepared for college (Yaangh, 2003). so. Our hope lies in the younger generation Iu-Mien who Meanwhile, most Iu-Mien children use English as their are well acculturated and educated to take the leadership dominant language and speak only limited Mien. Most in community development efforts that promote and children are not learning to speak Mien. Most parents are preserve Iu-Mien ethnic identity, culture and language. History of the Commission: A decade

The concept for a state Commission to address issues members of the State Legislature, and state departments closely identified with Asian and Pacific Islander American on matters pertaining to the more than 4.5 million APIAs (APIA) communities originated from strong grassroots in California. Focus remained on language access and hate support and advocacy. The Commission’s creation was an crimes while broadening the concerns of Hmongs to the historic recognition of the accomplishments and needs of broader Southeast Asian community in the Central Valley. California’s growing, vibrant, and diverse APIA populations. The Commission also identified the complex problem of Former Assemblymember George Nakano (Torrance) pathological gambling as a priority, helping to form the authored AB 116 in 2002 to establish the Asian Pacific Islander Problem Gambling Task Force. California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. Members of the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus co-authored the bill. Although established by statute, the Commission receives no public funding; support comes entirely from private funds and donations. The Commission consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. As a citizens board, members come from different vocations, backgrounds, Commissioners Blong Xiong, Diane Ujiiye, Nitasha Sawhney, and regions of the state. Public meetings convene four Assemblymember Warren Furutani, Board of Equalization times a year, seeking to make California’s government member Judy Chu, and API Legislative Caucus chair Ted Lieu at the foreclosure crisis hearing in 2008. more responsive to the voices of APIA communities that express and identify their own needs. The goal is to guide In 2008, as the recession began to rear its ugly head, policy and the work of state and local agencies, depart- the Commission addressed the foreclosure crisis, particu- ments, and other commissions to improve service delivery larly its impact on lower income communities of color. to APIA communities. By 2009, the Commission had added to its agenda health care access, education, housing and community development, and employment and economic development as these issues affect APIA communities, all primary

2004 Commissioners (l-r): Fritz Friedman, Charles Woo, Alexis Wong, Francisco Hsieh, Luisa Blue, Albert Seto, Diane Ujiiye, David Kim, Norman Hui, Philip Ting, Paul Osaki; not Commissioners in 2009 (l-r) with Assemblymember Ted Lieu (c): pictured: Akemi Arakaki, Ann Nguyen. Dianne Yamashiro-Omi, Blong Xiong, Nitasha Sawhney, Kim-Yen Huynh, Diane Ujiiye, Charlie Woo, Mimi Song, Andrew Wong, Dr. In 2004, its inaugural year of operations, the Commis- Norman Hui, and Catherine ‘Ofa Mann. (Melissa Ramoso, courtesy sion adopted language access, hate crimes, and Hmong Hon. Lieu’s office) refugee resettlement as priority issues. On November 16, topics at the API Policy Summit. Voting rights, environ- 2004, it held its first statewide hearing at the State mental justice, mental health, and older adults were also Capitol, addressing the issue of resettling Hmong refugees addressed, as well as the empowering of APIA business in California. Providing strong support and attendance women in an increasingly global economy. were members of the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative The focus in 2010 turned to the U.S. Census as individ- Caucus and Senate Health and Human Services Committee. ual commissioners took up leadership roles in their respec- Also in its first year, the Commission co-spon- tive regions to sored the first Asian Pacific Islander (API) Policy organize APIAs to Summit in Sacramento, taking place in the spring of participate and be 2004. The annual summit remains a major Commis- counted. Their sion activity, bringing together leaders from individual efforts set throughout the state to convene on leadership, Commissioner Kim-Yen advocacy, and organizing for APIA communities. Huynh (c) rallying Through 2005, the Commission continued to neighbors in Orange County to take part in advise then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 2010 Census. History of the Commission: A decade the stage for the Commission’s model of statewide sioners actively served as liaison between APIA voices and representation enabling coverage of all regions of Califor- California policy makers. Issues addressed included the nia on a specific issue. impact of 9/11 on the rights and liberties of Muslim, Sikh, Responding to advocacy by Native Hawaiian and South Asian, and Arab Americans, ten years after the Pacific Islander (NHPI) leaders at the 2010 API Summit, devastating attack on our nation; place-based and the Commission became active in presenting NHPI needs regional approaches to funding, which often results in to the State Legislature. By 2011 and with the guidance of excluding rather than including APIA needs that are Commissioner Tana Lepule, Assemblymember Warren hidden within aggregated data; and the state of Cambodi- Furutani had sponsored Assembly Concurrent Resolution an American youth, giving voice to policy recommenda- 67, recognizing the cultural and social contributions of NHPIs to America.

(l-r) Jonathan Tran of Southeast Asian Resource Action Center, Commissioner Noel Alumit, and Lian Cheun of Khmer Girls in Action at the 2011 informational hearing At the 2010 joint hearing on Native Hawaiian and Pacific on the state of Cambodian American youth. Islander Communities (l-r)), Assemblymember Mike Eng, Assemblymember Warren Furutani, and Commissioner tions on education, health, community safety, and immi- Diane Ujiiye heard community presentations. gration for this fragile population. Addressing civil rights, In the field of education, the Commission endorsed the Commission voted its support for API Equality-LA’s the principles of the Los approach to the FAIR Education Act, compelling Angeles Preschool the inclusion of the political, economic, and Advocacy Initiative in a social contributions of persons with disabilities show of solidarity for and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender increasing access to high persons in educational textbooks and social quality preschool studies curricula in California’s public schools. education in underserved It has been an active decade since the communities. Commission was authorized in 2002. The current In 2011, the commis- commissioners remain strong advocates for their sioners brought together APIA constituents. They also pay homage to the members from the wide commissioners who came before them and who spectrum of APIA commu- Congressman Eni Faleomavaega gave voice to the complex and pressing issues that are (American Samoa) and nities with state and local Assemblymember Warren specific to APIA communities. public officials in a number Furutani attended Pacific of activities. From the Islander Fitness Day in 2011. Past Commissioners organizing of Pacific Islander Fitness Day and the 8th The current commissioners wish to pay homage to the past Annual California API Policy Summit to public hearings on appointed commissioners: topics of deep concern to our communities, the commis- Akemi Arakaki Luisa Blue Tami Bui Fritz Friedman Francisco Hsieh Norman Hui (founding chair) David Kim Ann Nguyen Paul Osaki Courtni Pugh Albert Seto Philip Ting Alexis Wong Assemblymember Paul Fong and Congressman Mike Honda with Commissioner Nitasha Sawhney at the press Bill Wong conference for the post-9/11 Bay Area hearing in 2011. Charles Woo About the Commissioners

Blong Xiong, Chair Kim-Yen Huynh Nitasha Sawhney Mr. Xiong is a coun- Ms. Huynh is a leader Ms. Sawhney is a partner cilmember for the city of in Orange County’s in the Los Angeles and Fresno. He is an outspo- business community, Bay Area offices of GCR, ken advocate on issues promoting collabo- LLP, where she special- ranging from education, ration among ethnic izes in education, labor, youth, and civic partic- businesses and working and employment law. ipation to community and economic tirelessly on issues related to communi- She serves as legal advisor to The Sikh development. He is the first Asian Amer- ty improvement. She serves as chair of Coalition and Policy Task Force of South ican to hold a council position in Fresno the Organizing Committee for the Asian Asian Americans Leading Together. She and the first Hmong elected to a city American Business Women Leadership is a spokesperson on harassment and council in California. Mr. Xiong also sits Conference and was chair of the 2010 discrimination prevention, hate crimes, on the California Volunteers Commis- U.S. Census Vietnamese Complete Count and bullying. Ms. Sawhney was honored sion, by appointment of the Governor. Committee. Ms. Huynh is an executive as a 2011 API Heritage Award recipient manager with financial institutions. by the California API Legislative Caucus. Dianne Yamashiro-Omi, Vice Chair Ms. Yamashiro-Omi Judy Ki Mimi Song served as program man- Ms. Ki has dedicated Ms. Song is founder ager for Equity and Di- her career to public of Mimi Song Compa- versity for The California education, spending ny, a commercial real Endowment before her three decades teaching estate brokerage firm retirement in 2012. With middle school science with offices in Southern 25 years of experience in philanthropy, in San Diego. She is a California. For more than she has a long history of activism and founding board member and chair of the 20 years, she has been involved with dedication to improving socioeconomic Asian Pacific American Ocean Harmony economic ventures, cultural organiza- conditions for all underserved commu- Alliance and serves as a state coun- tions, and philanthropic and nonprofit nities. Her career runs the breadth of cilmember for the Humane Society of groups, all devoted to bridging cultures executive director, consultant, board the U.S.–California. Since retiring, Ms. Ki and developing leadership in a glob- member, advisor, and volunteer for is active with the Civic Engagement and al economy. Ms. Song is a co-founder nonprofits and philanthropies in the San Policy Advocacy Network in San Diego of Global Leadership Development Francisco Bay Area. in AAPI voter registration drives and Foundation that trains future leaders in candidates support. positive endeavors. Steven Ma, Secretary Mr. Ma founded Think- Tana Lepule Andrew Wong Tank Learning in 2002, Mr. Lepule is the Native Mr. Wong is a partner growing it into a Hawai’ian and Pacific with Dechert LLP, rep- multi-service education Islander community resenting domestic and firm providing academic liaison for the cancer international companies tutoring, test prep, and disparities projects at in the financial, technol- college consulting services with offices CSU Fullerton and UC ogy, manufacturing and in the Bay Area and China. Actively in- San Diego. He is executive director of transportation industries. His affiliations volved in education issues and advoca- Empowering Pacific Islander Communi- include the Pomona Unified School cy, Mr. Ma served as chair of the Interna- ties and serves on the California Council District as a governing board member, tional Leadership Foundation. In 2011, he on Multicultural Health, San Diego Police Diamond Bar Community Foundation and ThinkTank Learning received special Chief’s Advisory Board, APIA Vote, and as a board member, Dental Hygiene recognition at the 7th Annual Greater Pacific Islander Festival Association. He Committee of California, the Diamond China Economic Excellence Awards worked on ACR 67, which recognizes the Bar Community Foundation, and Sports ceremony held in 2012 in Beijing. contributions of NHPIs in California. Educators of America.

Noel Alumit, Treasurer Catherine ‘Ofa Mann Chiem-Seng Yaangh, Ph.D. Mr. Alumit has worked As founder and presi- Dr. Yaangh has over in the HIV/AIDS field for dent of TOFA of Sacra- 20 years of experi- over 20 years, most of mento, Ms. ‘Ofa Mann ence working in public them with the APAIT spearheads the effort institutions and private Health Center. He is a to support the grow- organizations. Devoted founding member of ing numbers of Pacific to education, he has pro- the Los Angeles HIV Islanders in the greater vided direct services to Prevention Planning Committee and Sacramento area. Her leadership roles improve the lives of children, youth, and sits on the steering committee for API include numerous community nonprofits families. Among his community affilia- Equality-LA. He also sits on the advisory as well as the Sacramento City Unified tions, he is board president of United Iu- boards for the Young Men’s Study at School District. She is the first Pacific Mien Community, Inc. and founding chair Children’s Hospital and the Art/Global Islander named to a California com- and current member of Hmong, Mien, Health Center at UCLA. Mr. Alumit is the mission. In 2010, the California State and Lao Community Action Network. LA Times best selling author of Talking Assembly presented Ms. ‘Ofa Mann with Dr. Yaangh oversees the state’s charter to the Moon and Letters to Montgomery the API Heritage Award for Excellence in schools for the California Department of Clift. Public Service. Education.