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June 14, DC: Breakfast Honoring Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa

May 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Editor’s Note: The AAA-Fund today endorsed Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa in her US Senate campaign. Read more here.

Hanabusa for Hawaii logo

You Are Cordially Invited to Attend a Breakfast Honoring
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa
Candidate for Senate Armed Services & Natural Resources Committees

With Special Guest
Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer

Friday, June 14, 2013
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Hotel George
15 E Street, NW
Washington, DC

Contribution Levels:
$5000 PAC ~ Individual Host
$2500 PAC ~ Individual Sponsor
(This is a small event, RSVP are necessary thank you)

Please RSVP: Pattie or Ryan
703-354-7444 or 202-544-0020
Pattie@CHPF.net or Ryan@CHPF.net

Hanabusa for Hawaii
P.O. Box 636
Annandale, VA 22003

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa
Friday, June 14, 2013
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Name___________________________


Street Address_________________


City/State/Zip_________________


Email _________________________


Phone (W)______________________

(H) ____________________


Occupation_____________________


Name of Employer_______________


Credit Card #__________________

Exp Date_______


Signature _____________________

Amount__________________


Type of Card:

Visa

Master Card

American Express


Please make checks payable to:

Hanabusa for Hawaii

P.O. Box 636

Annandale, VA 22003


Contact: Pattie at (703) 354-7444 or Pattie@chpf.net

Fax responses to:  (703) 354-5569


Corporate contributions cannot be accepted.  Federal law requires Hanabusa for Congress to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle.  Contributions are not tax deductible.


Paid for and authorized by Hanabusa for Hawaii
Filed Under: 2013+2014 Campaigns, Hawai'i

AAA-Fund Proudly Endorses Representative Colleen Hanabusa for Senate

May 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
AAAF logo

Asian Pacific American PAC Touts Unprecedented Opportunity to Elect Second Asian American Female Senator in American History

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gautam Dutta (202) 236-2048 or Irene Lin (410) 241-7264

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Asian American Action Fund today announced its strong endorsement of Representative Colleen Hanabusa for Senate as the best choice to lead Hawaii and follow in the footsteps of the legendary late Senator Daniel Inouye.

AAA-Fund Executive Director Gautam Dutta said, “2012 was a banner year for Asian American candidates and AAA-Fund believes we can make even more history by electing the second Asian American female to the U.S. Senate.”

Dutta added, “We believe Rep. Hanabusa’s distinguished and progressive record in the state Senate and in the U.S. House make her an outstanding candidate to succeed our dearly beloved Senator Inouye.”

“I am truly honored to once again have AAA-Fund’s support in my campaign for the U.S. Senate. Their support made a key difference in my victory in 2010.” said Rep. Hanabusa. “I look forward to continuing to work with them on issues of critical importance to our AAPI communities, including passing immigration reform, recognizing Native Hawaiian sovereignty and fulfilling our obligations to our Filipino veterans.”

AAA-Fund is a Democratic PAC with local chapters across the country devoted to strengthening the participation of Asian Pacific Americans in the political process.

In 2010, the AAA-Fund lent its support to Hanabusa in the contested House special election for the 1st Congressional District.

Rep. Hanabusa was the first Asian Pacific American female to preside over a legislative body in the United States and the first woman to preside over either chamber of the Hawaii State Legislature.

###

The AAA-Fund is a Democratic political action committee whose goal is to increase the voice of Asian Pacific Americans (APA) on every level of local, state and federal government in America. To achieve this goal, we address the chronic under-representation of APAs as campaign volunteers, campaign contributors, and candidates for political office. The AAA-Fund has endorsed candidates across the country. For more information, go to AAA-fund.org and read our award-winning blog at AAA-fund.com.

Filed Under: 2013+2014 Campaigns, AAA Fund, Hawai'i

Sen. Hirono: Reunite Filipino WWII Vets & Their Families

March 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2013

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Nathan Click, (202) 224-9813

 

 

SENATOR MAZIE K. HIRONO INTRODUCES FIRST BILL AS SENATOR – LEGISLATION TO REUNIFY FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

 

Bill That Eliminates Immigration Backlog For Children Of Filipino World War II Vets Could Gain New Life As Senate Works On Immigration Reform

 

Hirono: “These are the types of ideas I will be working to include in immigration reform legislation”

 

Vets Group: “The Hirono bill will keep the hopes of our Filipino American World War II heroes alive… Salamat po! Mabuhay Senator Hirono”

 

Washington, D.C. — Senator Mazie K. Hirono today introduced her first bill as a United States Senator – legislation that would reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their families. The long-overdue legislation, which has been the priority of Hawaii’s congressional delegation for many years, could gain new life as the Senate drafts and marks up immigration reform legislation. This legislation underscores Hirono’s immigration reform approach of bringing families together and assisting communities whose voices aren’t often heard in Washington.

 

“Immigration reform should reflect our values and these are the types of ideas I will be working to include in the final legislation,” said Hirono. “Our nation can never fully repay the debt we owe the Filipino World War II veterans who bravely served and sacrificed alongside Americans in the critical South West Pacific Theatre. The brave servicemen who are still with us, now in their eighties and nineties, should not have to wait any longer in order to be reunited with their children. As the Senate dives into immigration reform legislation, I will be working very closely with my colleagues to include these types of ideas in the final proposal.”

 

Thousands of Filipino veterans were granted citizenship in recognition of their service to the United States in World War II. Their children, however, were not granted citizenship. As a result, the veterans who came to the United States could only sponsor their children by filing a petition and “getting in line.” The backlogs affecting Filipino immigration applications are over twenty years in some cases, and these veterans, now in their 80s and 90s, have had to wait in the U.S. without their children for many years.

 

Hirono has a key perch to influence immigration reform legislation as she sits on the both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration that will mark up immigration reform legislation.

 

The American Coalition of Filipino Veterans estimates that 20,000 sons and daughters of U.S. Filipino World War II veterans will directly benefit from Hirono’s legislation. The group lauded her efforts.

 

“We applaud Sen. Hirono’s great decision in reintroducing the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification bill,” Eric Lachica, Executive Director for the American Coalition of Filipino Veterans said. “The Hirono bill will keep the approved immigration petitions and hopes of our Filipino American World War II heroes alive after they fade away. We are glad Senator Hirono continues to fight for the legacy of Senators Akaka and Inouye for their Filipino comrades. Salamat po! Mabuhay Senator Hirono.”

 

Eliminating the immigration backlog for the families of Filipino World War II vets has long been a priority of Hawaii’s delegation. Hawaii Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa will introduce the bill in the House of Representatives.

Filed Under: California, Civil Rights/Liberties, Congress, Hawai'i, Immigration, Social Justice, The Editors

Rebuffing a Leader’s Dying Wish

December 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last week, Hawaii Governor Abercrombie rebuffed the final wish of a dying Senator Daniel P. Inouye.

Instead of appointing Congressmember Colleen Hanabusa to replace Inouye in the U.S. Senate, Abercrombie picked Brian Schatz, a close confidant and Hawaii’s outgoing Lieutenant Governor.

Why did Abercrombie rebuff Inouye?  Simple: he wanted to install one of his allies in the Senate.  While Abercrombie and Schatz are personal friends, he has in the past clashed with Sen. Inouye.

This decision may come back to haunt Abercrombie:  Hanabusa is now being urged to challenge him in 2014, when Abercrombie’s up for re-election.

– Gautam Dutta

Filed Under: Democratic Party, Gautam Dutta, Hawai'i, Running for Office

Hawaii Senate appointment named

December 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

HI Gov. Abercrombie selected his Lt Gov Brian Schatz as Senator Dan Inouye’s replacement in the Senate. Inouye had, in his last request, asked for Rep. Colleen Hanabusa to be named his replacement.

Hawaii News Now:

Schatz, 40, was elected lieutenant governor in 2010. He ran unsuccessfully to succeed U.S. Rep. Ed Case in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional seat in 2006. Schatz served as CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii, a nonprofit social service agency on Oahu. Between 1998 and 2006, Schatz spent eight years in the state House of Representatives, representing the 25th district of Tantalus, Makiki and McCully.

In 2008, he served a spokesman for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in Hawaii. That same year, he was elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

During a meeting earlier Wednesday to select the three finalists for Gov. Abercrombie to choose from, members of the Hawaii Democratic Party voted 48 times for Schatz, 42 for Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa and 39 for attorney Esther Kiaaina, sources said, noting the counts could be one or two votes off, since there were voice votes.

It was important for the Governor to appoint someone before all the new members are sworn in so that Hawaii could have a senior Senator (Schatz will be 13 ahead, instead of the least senior member of the Senate.) Sens. Akaka and Inouye were some of the most senior members of the Senate, and the appointment means that the 49th state will have someone better poised to get desired committees. Additionally, the newly-designated Senator Schatz will be able to vote on the fiscal cliff talks.

The appointment of Schatz over Hanabusa also means that Hawaii Dems and the DCCC do not have to worry about who would hold onto the First Congressional District. Had a special election been held, it would have been winner take all. And former Rep. Charles Djou and former Gov. Linda Lingle would have been formidable, well-funded candidates on the Republican side. (Lingle raised $5.5M for her recent Senate run.) Admittedly, the state had a special election quite recently when Rep. Abercrombie left Congress to run for Governor, which resulted in Republican Charles Djou holding the 1st CD seat for a brief jaunt, beating both Democrats – Colleen Hanabusa & former Rep. Ed Case. That is, until Nov 2010 when HI State Sen. President Colleen Hanabusa beat him in the general, after defeating Case in the Democratic primary leading up to the Nov 2010 general.

At one point, it could have been possible and a historic first methinks, for Hawaii to have an all APA female Congressional delegation (if Hanabusa had been appointed to the Senate, and if an APA woman had won her Congressional seat.)

–Caroline

Filed Under: 2011+2012 Campaigns, Caroline, Hawai'i

Daniel P. Inouye, RIP

December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ASIAN AMERICAN ACTION FUND

For immediate release

Contact:  Gautam Dutta, 202.236.2048

AAA-Fund Mourns the Passing of Senator Daniel P. Inouye

Washington, DC., Dec. 17, 2012 — The Asian American Action Fund shares tremendous shock as we say farewell to a giant in our community, Senator Daniel K. Inouye.  Senator Inouye was the most senior member of the United States Senate, President Pro Tempore, and third in line to the Presidency.
“With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of a leader who led by example,” said AAA-Fund Deputy Executive Director Melissa Unemori Hampe.  ”Senator Inouye will be greatly missed, but he has left a legacy that is unmatched and will continue to call others to public service,” she added.

Senator Inouye’s accomplishments are well known.  Here’s just a sampling of them:  World War II Medal of Honor hero and a part of the much-decorated 442 Regimental Combat Team, first Congressman from the State of Hawai’i, elected to nine terms in the U.S. Senate, Chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.

“In losing Senator Inouye, we lose an iconic hero, a champion, and a giant—not only in our AAPI community, but in the larger American populace,” said AAA-Fund Chair-Elect Bel Leong-Hong.  “It is truly a sad moment,” she added.

As AAA-Fund Board Member Gloria T. Caoile noted, Senator Inouye “was always a dignified and gracious man who fought hard not only for our community, but every community.”

Senator Inouye consistently championed many significant causes, including:  the ultimately successful effort to ensure proper redress for Japanese Americans who had been interned during World War II, the granting of full benefits to Filipino Veterans, and federal recognition for Native Hawaiians.

More than all of that, he inspired generations of APIAs to run for and succeed in public office.  For these and other accomplishments, AAA-Fund honored the Senator with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.

####

Filed Under: AAA Fund, APA Officeholders, Civil Rights/Liberties, Congress, Democratic Party, Hawai'i, Media, Social Justice, The Editors

Sen. Daniel Inouye, Senate’s second longest-serving member, Dead at 88

December 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sen. Daniel Inouye, the second longest serving senator in U.S. history and a decorated World War II hero, has died his office announced in a statement. He was 88. According to his office, “His last words were, ‘Aloha.’”

As our readers may remember, our Co-Editor-in-Chief Justin wrote “about Inouye” this past autumn. Our newsletter subscribers will recall Co-Editor-in-Chief Caroline’s story of Inouye’s famed service with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. To read his obituary is both emotional but also a testimony to his incredible record of service to our nation. As one of the Senate’s towering greats and elder statesman, there is no replacing him. That said, he did recommend Hanabusa.

Our parent organization will post an update soon here.

Filed Under: APA Officeholders, Democratic Party, Hawai'i

Today Nov 14: Governor of Hawaii Abercrombie Hosts Tulsi Gabbard

November 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Governor of Hawaii Neil Abercrombie
Cordially invites you to attend a breakfast honoring

Congresswoman Elect Tulsi Gabbard (HI-2)

PLEASE HELP BY CONTRIBUTING TO RETIRE 2012 PRIMARY DEBT

Wednesday, November 14, 2012
8:00 – 9:00 am

Hotel George
15 E Street, NW – Washington, DC 20001

Please RSVP: Cliff & Pattie (703) 354-7444 ● Cliff@CHPF.net
Fax: (703) 354-5569

Contribution Levels
$2,500 Host – $1,500 Guest

Tulsi for Hawaii
P.O. Box 636 – Annandale, VA 22003

Congresswomen Elect Tulsi Gabbard
8:00 – 9:30 Wednesday, November 14, 2012
VoteTulsi.com 

Yes, I plan to attend._____
Enclosed is my contribution for $___________
No, I am unable to attend._____
Enclosed is my contribution for $_______
Name_________________________________________________________
Street Address_______________________________________________
City/State/Zip_______________________________________________
Email_______________________ Fax_____________________________
Phone (W) ______________________(H) _________________________
Occupation___________________________________________________
Name of Employer_____________________________________________
Credit Card Number _______________________________Exp Date___
Amount__________________ Signature___________________________
Type of Card:   Amex 	Visa	Master Card

Please make checks payable to:
Tulsi for Hawaii
P.O. Box 636 – Annandale, VA 22003

Contact: Cliff at (703) 354-7444 or Cliff@chpf.net
Fax responses to: (703) 354-5569

Corporate contributions are not accepted. Federal law requires Tulsi for Hawaii to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle.
Contributions are not tax deductible.

Paid for and authorized by Tulsi for Hawaii

Filed Under: 2011+2012 Campaigns, Hawai'i Tagged With:

Election 2012 Update

November 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We congratulate all incoming Senators and Members of Congress:

  • Mazie Hirono (HI)
    Mazie Hirono (HI)
  • Tim Kaine (VA)
    Tim Kaine of Virginia
  • Tammy Duckworth (IL-08)
    Tammy Duckworth (IL-08)
  • Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02)
    Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02)
  • Grace Meng (NY-06)
    Grace Meng (NY-06)
  • Mark Takano (CA-41)
    Mark Takano (CA-41)
    won 57% to 43%
  • Rob Bonta (CA-AD18)
    Rob Bonta
    winning 51%-49%

Too close to call

We cannot say a huge enough thanks to everyone. Special congratulations and elated delight to AAAF of Greater Chicago whose numerous months long phone banking, website editing, email forwarding, logistical organizing, people pulling & generally good cheer & energy for the easy-to-volunteer events, sharing their many delights and overall pulling so many for so many critical last minute get out the vote all for Tammy Duckworth has given us such a brilliant example of an effective grassroot campaign.

These Congressmen & Congresswomen represent the largest caucus of Asian American and Pacific Islander Members in any single Congressional session as well as other records:

  • Hirono – first Asian American woman and first Buddhist to serve in the U.S. Senate
  • Duckworth, Meng – first Asian Americans to represent their states IL and NY respectively
  • Gabbard – first Hindu American in US Congress, first Samoan American elected as a voting member of Congress
  • Takano – first openly gay minority Member of Congress

We are thrilled not only to share in the delights of our elected officials above but also to our other endorsed candidates:

Lastly, just seen on the ED Show on MSNBC:

Demographic groups Voted for Obama Voted for Romney
Whites 39% 59%
Black 93% 6%
Latino 71% 27%
Asian 73% 26%

Thank you to all!

Update Nov 12: Our Dr. Ami Bera is leading!

Update Nov 17: Bera Wins!

Filed Under: 2011+2012 Campaigns, 2012 Presidential, AAA Fund, California, Hawai'i, Illinois, New York, Virginia

An Indian, A Texan, And A Democrat Go To Charlotte

September 27, 2012 By 1 Comment

When I first realized I was going to the Democratic National Convention, I was beyond ecstatic. It was my first convention, so naturally I wanted to make the most of it. Every day I got to go to a different event, attend another party, and meet some great new people.

I started my convention experience by attending the AAPI Caucus meeting. There, I heard from Asian-American leaders from around the country, including a panel introduced by Governor Neil Abercrombie featuring Tammy Duckworth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Mike Fong. My takeaway from that session is that minorities are going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2012. Honestly, that was the theme I witnessed the entire convention. And those of us privileged enough to be Texans felt a personal connection to that particular theme.

For the first time in history, we witnessed a Latino deliver the keynote address at a major party convention. Mayor Julian Castro’s speech was the perfect balance of inspiration and fight, but what really resonated with me was what he represented. His story is America’s story — a family who moved to America in search for a better life, who worked tirelessly to achieve the American dream, who live up to the ideal of America as a mosaic of race and religion, where hard work and smarts are rewarded, regardless of where they may have come from.

His story resonates with me, and in today’s ever-changing America, it resonates with so many others. His selection shows that Democrats are ready to embrace this new era; while at the Republican convention, we were lucky to see any minorities in the crowd. Of course, there is no reason they would be there. While Democrats are showcasing this new generation of minority leaders, the Republicans are doing everything in their power to make sure we can’t even exercise our most basic democratic right.

The rest of the convention did not disappoint. The speeches by Michelle Obama and President Clinton were two of the best speeches I have ever heard, and seeing President Obama speak in person for the first time was as amazing as I imagined. This convention proved to me that minorities are the future of the party and this country. Both parties have made their decision on how they want to handle the future, and after this convention, I know I picked the right party.

The magic of Barack Obama as President of the United States has not faded. The enthusiasm and passion have not faded. The ability of so many Americans to relate to him has not faded. I got to see it first hand: Democrats are fired up, and ready to go!

- Palak Gosar

Filed Under: 2012 Presidential, Democratic Party, Demographics, Guest Blogger, Hawai'i, Illinois, Texas, Voting Rights
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