Media Talks Positive
about
Asia Pacific American Community Summit

Senator, Maria Cantwell praised Asian Pacific Islander coalition form and addressed that she and legislators always care about people's voice and their concerns like the State of Washington recognizes to support the welfare reform act, unemployment issues, education, and protect our communities. She appreciated unity and civic involvement for the Asian Pacific American Communities support.

APAC Summit started Cultural Entertainment's exchanges as following:

Vietnamese from Vietnamese Language School of Olympia, Cambodian, from Rainer Vista Cambodian Youth Group, Laotian from Kinnaly Dance Troupe, Samoan from Seattle Congregational Christian Churches, Korean from Morning Star, Hmong from Chue Ge Xiong, Hawaiian from Hula Halau "O Kaalaakua Naniloa Mana'oakamai, Chines, from WA Chinese Youth Orchestra, Sikh from Rhythms of India, and Filipino from Dancing Lolas/Batang Wapato.

Around 12:30 P.M. started Plenary Session: Strategic Planning for Civic Engagement on Main Stage which is focused on advocacy and ways to participate in the civic process. It included overview of the naturalization process, voter registration, mandatory bilingual voting assistance and the new primary election system for September 2004. Session was translated into different languages. The session was given by KWA Executive Director, Lua Pritchard (Korean Women's Association), Congressman Mike Honda (Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus), Cherry Cayabyah (National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum), Joyce Yoo (Korean Women's Association), Debbie Hsu (Section 203 Community Coalition), Dean Logan (King County elections Office), Pat McCarthy (Pierce County Auditor), and KAVA President, Cheryl Lee (Korean American Voters Alliance).

In the mean time, several workshop were given in 2nd floor as the following:

Part 1
Workshop 1 - Mobilize Voter Registration Drives and Get out The vote (GOTV).
Workshop 2 - Equal Access to the Electoral Process - Bilingual Voting Materials.
Workshop 3 - Making Change Happen.

Part 2
Workshop 1 - Nonprofit Advocacy
Workshop 2 - Organizing a Political Action Committee (PAC)
Workshop 3 - The Political arena - Running for Elected Office.
Workshop 4 - Talking to Legislators, Commissioners and elected Officials.

APAC Summit has been turned out to be the most positive thing I ever seen. There was no screaming, no negatives and no complain. Everybody had questions and answers what they needed. Even senior citizens were happy because they can see the entertainment's and comfortable sitting places for them. Of course they get to meet Government officials, too. Young people were happy to sharing their energy to support each other. We even get to see Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Paull Shin, Member of Washington State Supreme Court Justice, Barbara Madsen , Other representatives, and the candidates for Governor.

I even had conversation with ASIA Today (Weekly Chinese/English Newspaper), Vivian Lin, (Sound of Hope Radio - Seattle), Reporter, Helen Zhao, Joong Ang USA (Daily Korean Newspaper), Chief Editor, Chae Min Hee, and The Sikh Coalition member, Baljit S Sehmby. All of them were happy what they learned from the programs and what they heard from the people. They all mentioned that we should keep continue APAC Summit as necessary. APIC is sure making differences to the communities and our nation (United State America) that we live. Together, we all have the one voice what we need in this nation !

I think It is very positive !

Photos and Reported by Sandra Englund, May 27, 2004