I took a quick minute to record this message. Please take a second to watch this video.

We’ve come a long way since our announcement in February, and we couldn’t have done it without the help of people like you. Thanks for everything.

CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE NOW

-Sam Yoon

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The Editors | No Comments »

It’s lonely being old in America — and even more acutely so if you’re an elderly immigrant.

This poignant NY Times article spotlights the plight of the so-called “0.5″ generation:  elderly immigrants who are ignored not just by mainstream society, but their very own families:

They gather five days a week at a mall called the Hub, sitting on concrete planters and sipping thermoses of chai. These elderly immigrants from India are members of an all-male group called The 100 Years Living Club. They talk about crime in nearby Oakland, the cheapest flights to Delhi and how to deal with recalcitrant daughters-in-law.

Together, they fend off the well of loneliness and isolation that so often accompany the move to this country late in life from distant places, some culturally light years away.

“If I don’t come here, I have sealed lips, nobody to talk to,” said Devendra Singh, a 79-year-old widower. Meeting beside the parking lot, the men were oblivious to their fellow mall rats, backpack-carrying teenagers swigging energy drinks.

In this country of twittering youth, Mr. Singh and his friends form a gathering force: the elderly, who now make up America’s fastest-growing immigrant group. Since 1990, the number of foreign-born people over 65 has grown from 2.7 million to 4.3 million — or about 11 percent of the country’s recently arrived immigrants. Their ranks are expected to swell to 16 million by 2050. In California, one in nearly three seniors is now foreign born, according to a 2007 census survey.

Many are aging parents of naturalized American citizens, reuniting with their families. Yet experts say that America’s ethnic elderly are among the most isolated people in America. Seventy percent of recent older immigrants speak little or no English. Most do not drive. Some studies suggest depression and psychological problems are widespread, the result of language barriers, a lack of social connections and values that sometimes conflict with the dominant American culture, including those of their assimilated children.

The lives of transplanted elders are largely untracked, unknown outside their ethnic or religious communities. “They never win spelling bees,” said Judith Treas, a sociology professor and demographer at the University of California, Irvine. “They do not join criminal gangs. And nobody worries about Americans losing jobs to Korean grandmothers.”

We literally owe everything to the sacrifices made by our parents and grandparents.

Now it’s our turn to make sure we include them in our lives.

– Gautam Dutta

California, Gautam Dutta, Immigration, Social Justice | No Comments »

A top Asian American leader just made the shortlist to become a federal judge in Nevada — and he needs your help.

Please call Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (702.388.5020) and ask him to recommend Jerry Tao for federal judge. Read on to learn more about Jerry, whom AAA-Fund has strongly endorsed.

If nominated and confirmed, Jerry Tao will become the first Asian American federal judge in Nevada’s history.

Although Asian Americans have made huge strides in most fields, we are woefully underrepresented in the judiciary. Less than 1 percent of federal judges are Asian American — even though Asian Americans have been the fastest growing group of lawyers over the past decade.

Now here’s your chance to make a difference. Jerry Tao, an outstanding lawyer and civic leader, has made Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s shortlist for federal judge. If Jerry is selected, Senator Reid will ask President Obama to nominate him to the federal bench.

Once nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, federal judges have lifetime tenure on the bench. In other words, they can serve as a judge for the rest of their life.

In nearly 20 years, Jerry Tao has amassed a formidable resume worthy of a federal judge. His impeccable record of representing clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to death row murderers to immigrants seeking recourse for civil rights violations has garnered bipartisan respect.

As a Clark County Deputy Assistant Attorney, Jerry has led hundreds of prosecutions, first-chairing more than 60 criminal felonies and misdemeanors, including cases within the domestic violence division. What’s more, he has published important law review articles on patent law. Finally, he brings impeccable legislative credentials, having served as Leader Reid’s Chief Speechwriter and Legislative Assistant.

Jerry Tao has been a role model in our community and a tremendous public servant for Nevada.

Please call Senate Leader Harry Reid and urge him to recommend Jerry Tao for federal judge.

Since all politics is local, we advise calling Leader Reid’s Las Vegas office: 702.388.5020. (However, if you live on the East Coast, here’s his DC office: 202.224.3542.)

Please call as soon as you can, as Senator Reid is expected make his decision within days.

One quick phone call will make a lasting difference.

– Gautam Dutta

AAA Fund, Congress, Gautam Dutta, Grassroots Activism, Obama Administration | 2 Comments »

Fast spreading fires are currently ravaging across the Angeles National Forest, on the northern edge of densely urban Los Angeles County.

For the past couple days, folks in LA have been treated to a perversely aesthetic sight:  beautiful clouds formed from savage flames that have consumed thousands of acres of forest.

Already, at least two people have been injured (via LA Times):

The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department today provided new details on the three people who were burned while protecting their homes Saturday in Big Tujunga Canyon.

Two of the people injured refused a mandatory evacuation order, said Sheriff’s Department spokesman Steve Whitmore. He said that the two didn’t realize how serious the threat of the fire was, and that they thought they could protect themselves by jumping into a Jacuzzi.

But when the 80-to-100-foot flames came barreling through their neighborhood, they were seriously burned, said Whitmore.

When dealing with natural disasters, one thing should be clear:  if the authorities tell you to evacuate your home, get out immediately.

Times like these remind us of a humbling truth:  we are simply guests on this planet.

Let’s make sure we don’t overstay our welcome.

– Gautam Dutta

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Ed. note: This piece by Congressman (and AAA-Fund Honorary Board President) Mike Honda originally appeared in Politico.

Today, I write a thank-you letter to Sen. Ted Kennedy. I trust he will hear me, even now, but more important, may we hear him and his message, now and always. This week witnessed a loss that leaves wide the gap in government, but much wider is the wake left by his legacy.

As chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I want to thank you, Senator, for being the most formidable leader in the Senate on every major CAPAC issue. You were a testament to both your family’s commitment to civil and human rights — seen in your tireless leadership and the humanity you brought to bear on race, health care, immigration and education — and how a Senate seat should be served.

Senator, you were a bull in the most delicate of political china shops, protecting the less privileged. Whether it was African-Americans suffering from the still-strong shadow of segregation, low-income and high-needs students struggling from the ill effects of an unequal education; new Americans of Hispanic, Arab and Asian descent dealing with the challenges of acclimating to a new country; or the 47 million uninsured Americans held haplessly by a health care industry dedicated to profits, not people — you fought for the least of these.

You rightly perceived these frontiers as fundamental rights: the right to live without fear of burning crosses or dangled nooses; the right to quality education, irrespective of your neighborhood’s median income; the right to migrate to a nation composed entirely of immigrants and seek employment; and the right to decent, quality health care. This was your vision for America.

Senator, thank you for holding high the bar of public service. Your life will be remembered well by your Serve America Act. As a Returned Peace Corps volunteer, I am deeply indebted to your family for making possible a personally transformative experience like no other. My assignment in El Salvador saved me from the throes of youthful insecurity and disillusionment and instilled a commitment to service, which inspires me yet in Congress. May new volunteers, emboldened by your legislation, serve in such a way that makes you proud.

Rest in peace, Senator. May our service always be a testament to your legacy.

- Mike Honda

Democratic Party, Education, Guest Blogger, Healthcare, Immigration | No Comments »

Last Wednesday, Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) sparked a lively discussion at a top LA Council candidates forum.

During the town hall, Christine Essel voiced her strong support for IRV, while two other candidates (Paul Krekorian and Michael McCue) expressed strong interest in IRV. In addition, candidate Tamar Galatzan made a statement about IRV that we’ll examine below.

The well planned forum was hosted by the San Fernando Valley’s Neighborhood Council Valley Village (NCVV), one of seven LA neighborhood councils that have endorsed IRV.

Why are the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach seriously considering IRV? Because IRV offers a unique twofer. First, IRV will save millions of taxpayer dollars. In 2007, barely 6 percent of LA voters showed up for a community college runoff election — which cost taxpayers a whopping $5 million, or over $40 per voter.

In addition, IRV will also save voters from having to vote in a seemingly endless stream of elections. In all likelihood, the special election for the City Council’s 2nd District will go to a December runoff — costing taxpayers a total of nearly $2 million.

A broad, diverse group of leaders have endorsed IRV, including: LA City Controller Wendy Greuel, LA City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, five LA Councilmembers (Huizar, Rosendahl, Reyes, Garcetti, Koretz), LA League of Women Voters, LA Area Chamber of Commerce, CA Controller John Chiang, US Rep. Judy Chu, former US Rep. Tom Campbell, LA County Sup. Mark Ridley-Thomas, CA Common Cause, LA County Federation of Labor, ACLU (SoCal), Mexican American Bar Association, and Asian American Action Fund. A full endorser list is available at IRVinLA.org.

In LA, if no candidate wins a majority in the first round, voters must vote again in a runoff election, and choose between the top two finishers.

But with IRV, voters only have to vote once, by ranking their top three choices (1-2-3). This way, if their first choice can’t win, they won’t need to vote in another election. Instead, their vote would automatically go to their second choice.

Just as important, IRV will encourage candidates to run more positive, issue-driven campaigns. Why? With IRV, candidates will try to become the second choice of voters who prefer one of their competitors. As a result, candidates will think twice before launching negative attacks against their competition. After San Francisco adopted IRV, the New York Times noted that candidates were engaging in more civil dialogue and debate.

Tellingly, no candidate at the NCVV forum challenged two facts: (1) IRV will relieve voter fatigue, and (2) IRV will save LA taxpayers $8 to $9 million per election cycle.

In fact, the opposite is true: IRV will ensure that every viable candidate for public office has a fair chance to win.

Currently, LA’s two-round runoff system puts “non-established” candidates at a definite disadvantage in two troubling ways.

First, established candidates (like Galatzan) can fundraise more easily and more quickly — enabling them to reach out to more voters. In contrast, it’s harder for lesser known candidates to convince donors to write them a check. And if there’s a runoff, the top two candidates must start fundraising all over again — a process that favors more established candidates.

Fortunately, IRV will reduce the financial burden for every candidate. Because IRV eliminates a second election, candidates (and their supporters) would only have to fundraise for one election, not two.

What’s more, it’s harder for less established candidates to convince voters to vote for them. As candidates themselves know all too well, voters often worry whether they would be “wasting” their vote if they vote for a “longshot” candidate. (Remember Ross Perot and Ralph Nader?)

Once again, IRV solves this “wasted vote” or “spoiler” problem. With IRV, if your first choice can’t win, your vote will automatically go to your second choice. This way, voters can vote for their first choice, without worrying about “wasting” their vote.

IRV has already been adopted across the nation, from San Francisco to Oakland to Memphis to Minneapolis. In San Francisco, IRV has been used for five straight elections, and voters prefer it to the previous runoff system by a margin of 3 to 1.

IRV makes sense, saves money, and has a proven track record. Please urge every LA and Long Beach leader to support IRV.

IRV: a proven, practical reform whose time has come.

– Gautam Dutta

California, Gautam Dutta, Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), Political Reform, Voting Rights | No Comments »

MIDDLE EASTERN & NORTH AFRICAN DANCE CLASSES

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California, The Editors | No Comments »

A top Southern California daily has profiled the Long Beach City Council’s upcoming hearing on Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). If adopted, IRV will save Long Beach taxpayers up to $1.3 million per election cycle.  Here is an excerpt from this morning’s Press-Telegram:

A New Voting System?

Speaking of elections, the possibility of a new voting system in Long Beach – instant runoff voting, which would allow voters to choose multiple candidates and would mean fewer elections – is gaining momentum.

On Wednesday, the Chamber of Commerce released a statement supporting the proposal. Councilmembers Suja Lowenthal, Gary DeLong, Robert Garcia and Val Lerch, as well as Long Beach City College Trustee Mark Bowen, have endorsed it as well, according to the Chamber statement.

Next Monday, the council’s Budget Oversight Committee will discuss instant run-off voting during its 5 p.m. meeting at City Hall.

More than a year ago, City Clerk Larry Herrera told the committee that the new voting system could save Long Beach $3.72 million over an 8-year election cycle. The system would avoid a runoff election when no candidate for local public office gets a majority of the votes.

In instant run-off voting, voters rank the candidates starting with their first choice to win. If no candidate gets the majority of the votes, then the candidate who received the fewest number of first-choice votes is eliminated, and voters who chose that person have their second-choice votes count toward the other candidates.

The process continues until one of the candidates has a majority of the votes to win the election.

California, Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), Political Reform, The Editors, Voting Rights | No Comments »

Month Asian American Networking Happy Hour
Thursday, August 27, 2009

With Special Guest Florence Pan, the first Asian American DC Superior Court Judge

Hosted by APABA DC, APALRC, Mayor’s Office of Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, Florida Market Merchant and Property Owners, DVRP, OCA, APABA VA, AALEAD, AAPAAN, NCAWPA

Free Open Bar
Open Bar from 6-7 PM (please RSVP on www.kstreetdc.com)

kstreet lounge
1301 K St
Washington, DC 20005
www.kstreetdc.com

The Editors | No Comments »

In a welcome development, Long Beach City Hall has scheduled a committee hearing to discuss the merits of Instant Runoff Voting (IRV).

The Council’s Budget Oversight Committee will discuss IRV during its next meeting, which will be held on Aug. 31, 5 pm, in City Hall Chambers (333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach CA 90802).

If you can attend the hearing, please let us know at info AT aaa-fund.org.

The agenda for the Aug. 31 hearing can be accessed here (IRV is Item # 8).

By eliminating separate runoff elections, IRV will not only relieve voter fatigue, but will save up to $1.2 million in taxpayer dollars per election (source: Long Beach City Clerk).  Already, Councilmembers Suja Lowenthal, Gary DeLong, Robert Garcia and Val Lerch have joined the Los Angeles League in supporting IRV.

Currently, Long Beach holds costly, two-round elections that fatigue voters and waste millions of dollars.  In April 2008, only 12 percent of registered voters participated in the municipal election, which cost Long Beach taxpayers nearly $700,000 — a whopping $60 per voter.

Currently, IRV is being studied by Los Angeles County and the cities of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Pasadena.  IRV has already been adopted by San Francisco, Oakland, Minneapolis, Memphis, Burlington VT, and Santa Fe.  At a time of fiscal and economic crisis, IRV saves San Francisco taxpayers about $3 million every year.

In a nutshell, IRV allows voters to rank their top 3 choices (1-2-3). This way, if your top choice cannot win, there’s no need to vote again. Instead, your vote will automatically go to your second choice. More detailed information about IRV is available at IRVforLongBeach.org.

To bring IRV to Long Beach, voters need to approve an amendment to the City Charter. For this to happen, a majority of the nine-person City Council must first approve legislation to put IRV on the ballot.

So join us at Long Beach City Hall this Monday!

Together, we can make our democracy stronger.

– Gautam Dutta

California, Gautam Dutta, Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), Political Reform, Voting Rights | No Comments »

Join us as Community Leaders and Constituents welcome the Honorable Judy Chu in her first Townhall on Immigration Reform as the new Congressional District Representative of the 32nd District.

Testimonies * Community Leaders Panel * Discussion Session
Thurs August 27th, 2009
from 6:00-8:00pm
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
3883 Baldwin Park Blvd
Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps)

Moderator: Angelica Salas (CHIRLA)
Opening Prayer: Fr. Mike Gutierrez

For more information, please contact Horacio Arroyo at (213) 201-4449 or email
. You can also visit www.chirla.org.

California, Immigration, Judy Chu | No Comments »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2009
Contact: Fred Ortega
626.448.1271
202.525.9348

REP. JUDY CHU TO HOST HEALTH CARE TOWN HALL THIS SATURDAY

EL MONTE, CA – Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA32, will host a town hall meeting this Saturday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. at the City of Hope’s Cooper Auditorium to discuss the health care reform bill currently being debated in Congress.

The event, which will be moderated by Assemblyman Ed Hernandez, 57th District, will be open to the public and will feature a panel including Congresswoman Chu and health care experts from the medical community and advocacy groups. Questions will be taken to from the audience on written index cards and be addressed to the panelists.

Partnering with the Congresswoman and City of Hope to present this event are the Duarte and Irwindale chambers of commerce, the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, AltaMed Health Services, the American Cancer Society and the East Valley Community Health Clinic.

No signs will be permitted into the event and seating is limited, so individuals are encouraged to RSVP by calling Rep. Chu’s district office at 626-448-1271 or by sending an e-mail to


to reserve a seat. City of Hope is a hospital, so attendees are asked to be respectful of patients and their families.

Translation of the event will be provided in both Spanish and Mandarin. Public parking will be available on both sides of Duarte Road in front of the auditorium.

Saturday’s town hall meeting is the third outreach event on health care reform organized by Congresswoman Chu in her first month in office. In the last two weeks she has also held health care town halls via telephone with thousands of constituents in her district in both English and Spanish.

WHAT: 32nd District Health Care Town Hall

WHO: Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA32
Assemblyman Dr. Ed Hernandez, D-57th District
Dr. Steve Tarzynski, Pediatrician, Los Angeles
Marie Torres, Ph.D., AltaMed Health Services
Ernie Powell, AARP of California

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2 p.m.

WHERE: City of Hope
Cooper Auditorium
1500 E. Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010

###

Health Care Town Hall Flyer

Map to City of Hope

Fred Ortega
Press Deputy
Office of Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32)
4401 Santa Anita Ave. Suite 211
El Monte, CA 91731

626-448-1271 (p)
202-525-9348 (c)
626-448-8062 (f)

California, Healthcare, Judy Chu, Media | No Comments »

Watch the rescheduled Boston mayoral debate live at 7 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 2 on wbztv.com and WBZ-TV (channel 38 on Boston area networks).

The Boston Globe article notes that Menino downplays expectations for the debate, but his self-admitted dislike of the debate format does not shield him from public and deserved criticism.

Democratic Party, Media, Running for Office, Sam Yoon | No Comments »

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Senator Edward Kennedy late last night. My condolences go out to his wife and family and all those he leaves behind.

Senator Kennedy built a legacy for himself as one of the most passionate and effective legislators in American history. Despite suffering many personal tragedies, he dedicated his life to serving the least among us, a champion for civil rights, health care and education.

Unwavering in his beliefs and dedication to the ideals of the Democratic Party, Senator Kennedy led the fight for groundbreaking social policy in the US Senate for 47 years. I was lucky enough to meet the Senator at a rally for President Obama in Los Angeles last year. His devotion to public service will continue to serve as an inspiration for me in my own legislative work.

The “Lion of the Senate” will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on.

Ted W. Lieu

Paid for by Ted Lieu for Attorney General 2010. ID#1314048
1510 J Street
Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95814

California, Running for Office | No Comments »