"America is in the Heart, Hillary is in the Heart" - The Power & Passion of AAPI Women for Hillary!
Elena Ong
August 25, 2007
From the August 19, 2007 Democratic Presidential Debate:
"When I was growing up I didn't think I would run for president, but I could not be standing here without the women's movement, without generations of women who broke down barriers, the civil rights movement that gave women and people of color the feeling that they were really part of the American dream.
"So I owe the opportunity that I have here today to many people; some of whom are known to history and many who aren't.
"But more personally, I owe it to my mother, who never got a chance to go to college, who had a very difficult childhood, but who gave me a belief that I could do whatever I set my mind to."
Hillary Clinton 8/19/07
August 19, 2007 was National Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Women for Hillary Day, and on that day, 70 house parties were launched throughout the nation, 35 in California alone, to Get Out the AAPI Message and Get Out the AAPI Vote to elect US Senator Hillary Clinton 44th President of the United States.
Ten percent of the nation's AAPI Women for Hillary House Parties took place at Remy's on Temple, in the "Heart" of Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles, CA.
This was no ordinary "house" party. This event about "home," this event was about "heart." Not only is "Home where the Heart is," in the words of Carlos Bulosan, "America is in the Heart," and "Hillary is in the Heart" of the AAPI Women who synergized their passion and collective political power to form "AAPI Women for Hillary: Visible & Strong! Ambassadors to the Community, Ambassadors to the World."
HEART
It started with the "heart and vision" of Irene Natividad, National Chair of AAPI Women for Hillary, President of the Global Woman Summit, and a legacy and icon in the Filipino community, and in the women's community, throughout the world. Irene was the first, and to date, only AAPI Woman to be elected National President of the National Women's Political Caucus, whose motto is "Power. Passion. Politics." Natividad's warmth, energy and charisma have touched the hearts of women, AAPI and non-AAPI, throughout the world,
It started with the "heart, passion and political leadership" of women like Elena Ong, Diversity Chair of National Women's Political Caucus CA, Statewide Treasurer of the California Democratic Party Women's Caucus*, Past First Vice Chair of the California Commission for Women*, and the Immediate Past Southern California Chair of the California Democratic Party API Caucus*, and Charmaine Manansala, a Political Director, and former Advisor to Speaker Pelosi* and the White House Initiative on AAPIs*. Both were appointed by US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2007 to serve as her Southern California Co-Chairs of AAPIs for Hillary.
It was a success because all of the pan-Asian Co-Chairs of AAPIs for Hillary in Southern California, and in other parts of America, joined forces to support this collaborative launch: Raj Anand, Quan Cao, Hon. Judy Chu, Hon. Mike Eng, Hon. KimOanh Nguyen-Lam, Elena Ong, Jim Park and Trung Ta.
But most of all, it was a success because of the "heart, passion, community presence and political leadership" of Joselyn Geaga Rosenthal, Co-Founder of Historic Filipinotown* and 2007 Chair of the 5th Annual Historic Filipinotown Festival* who opened up her gallery in "the Heart of Historic Filipinotown; the "heart and pan-Asian leadership" of Melissa Hilario, President of LA 80-20 PAC* (the Los Angeles chapter of one of the largest APA Political Action Committees in America) and Past 2nd Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley*; the "heart and extensive Fil-Am network" of Emma Hilario, Board Member of the Phillipine Bar Association* and Past Vice Chair of the National APA Bar Association*; the "heart and political wisdom" of Sumi Haru, the first API woman to have ever served as President of the prestigious Screen Actors Guild*, and Southern California Chair of the California Democratic Party API Caucus*; and the "heart and extensive South Asian network" of Nalini Natarajan, Vice President of Publicity for the LA India Festival*.
Charged to "make history" by inspiring the formation of AAPI Women for Hillary house parties throughout Southern California, Ong made a few calls. And that's when the magic began, when Joselyn Geaga Rosenthal and her son, Jonathan Geaga Yap, opened up their "hearts" and their "home," Remy's on Temple" Art Gallery in the "heart" of Historic Filipinotown. It was nearly 100 years ago that the first Filipinos established their roots in Los Angeles by making this community their home. And it was natural for Geaga, a "history-maker" at heart, to make Historic Filipinotown the site of the historic launch of "AAPI Women for Hillary" in Los Angeles, CA. As civic leaders and past Commissioners, Ong & Geaga we're joined at the heart. They did not want this launch to be a traditional fund-raiser where emerging voters who were not yet 18, or U.S. Citizens, could not participate. They wanted to be inclusive, for people to "know no barriers" and be able to reach out, far and wide. They wanted to "pay it forward" so everyone, regardless of income, or even political persuasion, could feel welcomed, and valued. These women knew that if they provided an opportunity for AAPI leaders to "open up their hearts" and "share why they support Hillary," they knew their friends, AAPIs and non-AAPIs alike, would open up their hearts to Hillary.
And they were right.
HILLARY IS IN THE HEART
Five prominent AAPI elected officials headlined the event.
Two were California Co-Chairs of AAPIs for Hillary: Vice Chair of the California Board of Equalization Judy Chu & State Assembly member Mike Eng.
One was a National Co-Chair of Vietnamese Americans for Hillary: Garden Grove USD Board Member KimOanh Nguyen-Lam.
Cerritos Mayor Laura Lee and from Rosemead City Councilwoman Polly Low also spoke.
They RSVP'ed in a heartbeat: Low e-mailed from China, Nguyen-Lam from Orange County and Chu, Eng & Lee from Southern California. AAPI Electeds for Hillary traveled from Monterey Park, Cerritos, Rosemead and Orange County to share why they support Hillary and to listen to Hillary supporters, who traveled from San Fernando Valley to San Bernardino and Orange County, to share why they support Hillary.
It was a pan-Asian event involving Chinese-Americans, Filipino-Americans, Japanese-Americans, Korean-Americans, South Asian-Americans, Taiwanese-Americans, Thai-Americans and Vietnamese-Americans. In fact, Trung Ta, President of the Vietnamese American Democratic Club, So Cal Co-Chair of AAPIs for Hillary, and National Co-Chair of Vietnamese Americans for Hillary came all the way from Orange County to be part of this event. It was a multi-cultural event too, including African-Americans, Latinas, White Women, Jewish-Americans, etc.
Pam Darden, Motown legend of The Marvelettes, started the event by singing "On a Clear Day" as a tribute to Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton and the Women Visionaries in the Room – the AAPI women (and men!), who serve as AAPI Co-Chairs and Ambassadors to the Community, Ambassadors to the World. Pam also sang a special rendition of "Dancin' in the Streets" which was dubbed "Voting in '08! Hillary for Pres!" - a tribute to 15 million AAPIs who live in AAPI communities across America, and a tribute to the 5 million AAPIs who live in California, and in particular, the 2.5 million AAPIs who are eligible to vote in California in 2008. Pam got AAPI Women and Men for Hillary singing "Hillary for Pres!" in the streets of Historic Filipinotown.
It could not have happened without the support of our Ambassadors to the Community and special guests: Natarajan Annaswamy, Hon. Edwin Chau, Jeremy Geaga, Anna Ghosh, Ilene Haber, Kevin Kaul, Kyron Kopanos, Johnny Milcat, Evaristo Ramos, Olivia Rodriguez, Robyn Ritter Simon, Patricia Salgado, Ken Trumkul, Amelia Wang & Jonathan Geaga Yap, who took the time to call friends to invite them, to involve them, and to discuss why AAPIs support Hillary.
More than 100 RSVP'ed with a pledge to give of their heart - to show up, to bring friends, to make friends, to endorse, to write a small check, to volunteer, to host another house party, etc. And that's exactly what the co-hosts wanted to achieve. Civic Engagement. Pan-Asian Unity. Participation. It wasn't the size of check that mattered, it was the size of one's heart.
Ong, who authored "GenerASIAN Next: The Emerging Power of 1 Million New AAPI Voters" announced that the goal is to turn out more than 4 million votes for Hillary: at least 2+ million women's votes and 2 million men's votes for California's February 5th primary (which starts as early as January 7th for the nearly 1 in 2 AAPIs who vote by mail). She noted that in the 2004 Presidential Election, 1/2 million - 3/4 million AAPIs voted for a Presidential candidate, and she implored AAPIs to exceed that goal, by reaching out as Ambassadors to the Community, Ambassadors to the World. "We want to reach, and involve, our 1/2 million high propensity AAPI voters, but I ask you to do more. I ask you help us reach our full promise, our full potential. There are 2.5 million AAPIs who are eligible to vote in California. Can you imagine if we turned out all 2.5 million AAPI voters for Hillary?!! Why, AAPIs would be the "AAPI" Factor in this race, and determine the outcome of the presidential election with half the vote!"
Geaga, the "Heart" of Historic Filipinotown, persuaded everyone to "Hi Fi!" (the chic abbeviation for Historic Filipinotown). She urged everyone to "Wear your AAPI Women for Hillary button, and use it to start a conversation with at least 5 more friends, 5 more AAPI voters, and 5 more emerging AAPI voters. Register 5 more Independent voters to vote in the Primary and re-register to vote Democrat! Most important, share why you and AAPIs support Hillary, and invite them to get involved with AAPIs for Hillary and Women for Hillary!"
WHY DO AAPIs SUPPORT HILLARY?
1: HILLARY IS A PROVEN LEADER WHO WILL PROTECT & DEFEND OUR NATION BY ENDING THE WAR IN IRAQ
"I support Hillary because of her unparalleled experience and unqualified support for Asian Pacific Islander American communities throughout the United States. As the former First Lady and U.S.Senator representing New York, she has also proven herself to be a gracious and adept leader with the wisdom and strength to defend our nation." -- Hon. Judy Chu, Vice Chair, California State Board of Equalization
"Hillary is the best and the most qualified candidate." -- Hon. Laura Lee, Emma Hilario & Amelia Wang, Trung Ta
"Hillary is the most qualified presidential candidate. She can lead this country back in the right direction and keep our country safe." -- Hon. Polly Low, Rosemead City Councilmember
"I support Hillary because I don't want this immoral war, and Hillary has the leadership and experience to end it in a smart way that protects our nation." -- Melissa Hilario
2: AAPIS ARE NOT "INVISIBLE" - HILLARY WILL CHAMPION ISSUES AAPIS CARE ABOUT:
"Of all the presidential candidates who are running, Hillary is the only one who is actively reaching out to all peoples - from urban cities to rural farming countries - from middle class mainstream Americans to the underrepresented and minority groups including us, the AAPI - Asian America and Pacific Islander Americans... We are Cambodian-Americans, Chinese-Americans, Indian-Americans, Hmong-Americans, Filipino-Americans, Korean-Americans, Samoan-Americans, Vietnamese-Americans, etc. Despite these hyphenated origins, we all share the basic values and dreams of America: decent living wage, basic health care, quality education for our children, and good job opportunities to keep our families together. Until our issues and concerns are being integrated into the national agenda, we have to maintain our distinctive voices and identities. I support Hillary because I believe when she is in the White House, we could all be identified as one America and all of us can shed our hyphenated identities and simply be Americans." - Hon. KimOanh Nguyen-Lam, Garden Grove USD
As a State Assemblymember who is trying to help California accomplish universal health care I admire U.S. Senator Clinton as someone who has tried very hard to extend health care to those that need it most." -- Hon. Mike Eng, Assemblymember, 49th Assembly District
"Since first listening to a speech by Hillary during the 1992 Democratic Convention in Manhattan, I have been impressed by her courageous and outspoken advocacy for issues that affect women across the board. At that convention, she was the only one I heard who spoke about the importance of child care! Now in 2008, she stands above the rest with her breadth of knowledge and experience. She is the most qualified candidate to lead us back to the right path." -- Joselyn Geaga Rosethal
"Hillary cares about America's Working Families." - Sumi Haru
"As a Public Health Administrator, I led policy discussions re: President Clinton's Health Reform Proposal, and from day one, was impressed by America's First Lady Hillary Clinton's intelligence, and tenacity, to protect and advance the health and well-being of ALL Americans. As a Women's Commissioner, I watched Hillary earn the respect of leaders throughout the world for championing "human rights as a woman's right, and women's rights as a human right." Not only is US Senator Hillary Clinton is the best presidential candidate, the most experienced presidential candidate, but most important, she is the presidential candidate I trust to protect and advance equality, and the quality of life, of all Americans and people throughout the world." -- Elena Ong
"A month ago, India just selected its first woman president. India, and the World, is ready for America to elect its first woman President, Hillary Rodham Clinton." -- Nalini Natarajan
When women set their minds to doing something, they are passionate, and nothing can stand in their way. When women have heart, no person will be invisible, forgotten, or left behind.
To Hillary, AAPIs, and women, are not "invisible." That is why "Hillary is in Our Hearts."
Ong shared how she, Emma Hilario & Patricia Salgado, connected at a Club44 Women for Hillary Debate Watch Party at the home of NWPC LA Westside President Robyn Ritter Simon, where Hillary joined 400+ National House Parties via a national conference call, to thank the "AAPI Women in California," and women throughout America, for organizing debate watch parties in all 50 states. When they heard this, they knew that because of Hillary and the Women of Hillaryland - Patty Solis Doyle, Ann Lewis, Capricia Marshall, Dana Singiser and Irene Bueno - that Women and AAPIs would be included, respected and valued, not only in Hillary's campaign, but during Hillary's Presidency.
Hillary is the only presidential candidate who, early on in her campaign, assembled one of the largest, strongest and most diverse teams of high-ranking AAPI elected officials, and AAPI community leaders, to lead her campaign - including US Congresswoman Doris Matsui serving as National Chair of AAPIs for Hillary and US Senator Daniel Inouye serving as National Chair of Veterans and Retired Military for Hillary. (Full list available on request).
Hillary is the only presidential candidate who, early on in her campaign, hired some of the top AAPIs in the nation, to lead at the top of her presidential campaign - including Neera Tanden, her Chief Policy Advisor, Huma Abedin, her Traveling Chief of Staff, Jin Chon, her Press Secretary for Specialty Media, Irene Bueno, her AAPI Outreach Director, and Connie Lee, her Southern California Deputy Field Director.
AAPI women and men, emerging voters, you are GenerASIAN NeXt, Hillary's Ambassadors to the Community, Ambassadors to the World.
Celebrate the 87th Anniversary of the Women's Right to Vote by joining AAPIs for Hillary and Women for Hillary. And in one year, let's celebrate Hillary's historic presidential nomination at DNC 2008 on the 88th Anniversary of the Women's Vote.
Hi Fi(ve)! Take 5! With America in the Heart, with Hillary in the Heart, nothing can stop us, and Hillary will win! Get involved! Join Women for Hillary at www.hillaryclinton.com . Connect with the AAPI for Hillary Co-Chairs!
Elena Ong
So California Co-Chair, AAPIs for Hillary
presidentialelection2008@gmail.com
Organizations listed for identification reasons only, and do not imply organizational endorsement.
"When I was growing up I didn't think I would run for president, but I could not be standing here without the women's movement, without generations of women who broke down barriers, the civil rights movement that gave women and people of color the feeling that they were really part of the American dream.
"So I owe the opportunity that I have here today to many people; some of whom are known to history and many who aren't.
"But more personally, I owe it to my mother, who never got a chance to go to college, who had a very difficult childhood, but who gave me a belief that I could do whatever I set my mind to."
Hillary Clinton 8/19/07
August 19, 2007 was National Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Women for Hillary Day, and on that day, 70 house parties were launched throughout the nation, 35 in California alone, to Get Out the AAPI Message and Get Out the AAPI Vote to elect US Senator Hillary Clinton 44th President of the United States.
Ten percent of the nation's AAPI Women for Hillary House Parties took place at Remy's on Temple, in the "Heart" of Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles, CA.
This was no ordinary "house" party. This event about "home," this event was about "heart." Not only is "Home where the Heart is," in the words of Carlos Bulosan, "America is in the Heart," and "Hillary is in the Heart" of the AAPI Women who synergized their passion and collective political power to form "AAPI Women for Hillary: Visible & Strong! Ambassadors to the Community, Ambassadors to the World."
HEART
It started with the "heart and vision" of Irene Natividad, National Chair of AAPI Women for Hillary, President of the Global Woman Summit, and a legacy and icon in the Filipino community, and in the women's community, throughout the world. Irene was the first, and to date, only AAPI Woman to be elected National President of the National Women's Political Caucus, whose motto is "Power. Passion. Politics." Natividad's warmth, energy and charisma have touched the hearts of women, AAPI and non-AAPI, throughout the world,
It started with the "heart, passion and political leadership" of women like Elena Ong, Diversity Chair of National Women's Political Caucus CA, Statewide Treasurer of the California Democratic Party Women's Caucus*, Past First Vice Chair of the California Commission for Women*, and the Immediate Past Southern California Chair of the California Democratic Party API Caucus*, and Charmaine Manansala, a Political Director, and former Advisor to Speaker Pelosi* and the White House Initiative on AAPIs*. Both were appointed by US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2007 to serve as her Southern California Co-Chairs of AAPIs for Hillary.
It was a success because all of the pan-Asian Co-Chairs of AAPIs for Hillary in Southern California, and in other parts of America, joined forces to support this collaborative launch: Raj Anand, Quan Cao, Hon. Judy Chu, Hon. Mike Eng, Hon. KimOanh Nguyen-Lam, Elena Ong, Jim Park and Trung Ta.
But most of all, it was a success because of the "heart, passion, community presence and political leadership" of Joselyn Geaga Rosenthal, Co-Founder of Historic Filipinotown* and 2007 Chair of the 5th Annual Historic Filipinotown Festival* who opened up her gallery in "the Heart of Historic Filipinotown; the "heart and pan-Asian leadership" of Melissa Hilario, President of LA 80-20 PAC* (the Los Angeles chapter of one of the largest APA Political Action Committees in America) and Past 2nd Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley*; the "heart and extensive Fil-Am network" of Emma Hilario, Board Member of the Phillipine Bar Association* and Past Vice Chair of the National APA Bar Association*; the "heart and political wisdom" of Sumi Haru, the first API woman to have ever served as President of the prestigious Screen Actors Guild*, and Southern California Chair of the California Democratic Party API Caucus*; and the "heart and extensive South Asian network" of Nalini Natarajan, Vice President of Publicity for the LA India Festival*.
Charged to "make history" by inspiring the formation of AAPI Women for Hillary house parties throughout Southern California, Ong made a few calls. And that's when the magic began, when Joselyn Geaga Rosenthal and her son, Jonathan Geaga Yap, opened up their "hearts" and their "home," Remy's on Temple" Art Gallery in the "heart" of Historic Filipinotown. It was nearly 100 years ago that the first Filipinos established their roots in Los Angeles by making this community their home. And it was natural for Geaga, a "history-maker" at heart, to make Historic Filipinotown the site of the historic launch of "AAPI Women for Hillary" in Los Angeles, CA. As civic leaders and past Commissioners, Ong & Geaga we're joined at the heart. They did not want this launch to be a traditional fund-raiser where emerging voters who were not yet 18, or U.S. Citizens, could not participate. They wanted to be inclusive, for people to "know no barriers" and be able to reach out, far and wide. They wanted to "pay it forward" so everyone, regardless of income, or even political persuasion, could feel welcomed, and valued. These women knew that if they provided an opportunity for AAPI leaders to "open up their hearts" and "share why they support Hillary," they knew their friends, AAPIs and non-AAPIs alike, would open up their hearts to Hillary.
And they were right.
HILLARY IS IN THE HEART
Five prominent AAPI elected officials headlined the event.
Two were California Co-Chairs of AAPIs for Hillary: Vice Chair of the California Board of Equalization Judy Chu & State Assembly member Mike Eng.
One was a National Co-Chair of Vietnamese Americans for Hillary: Garden Grove USD Board Member KimOanh Nguyen-Lam.
Cerritos Mayor Laura Lee and from Rosemead City Councilwoman Polly Low also spoke.
They RSVP'ed in a heartbeat: Low e-mailed from China, Nguyen-Lam from Orange County and Chu, Eng & Lee from Southern California. AAPI Electeds for Hillary traveled from Monterey Park, Cerritos, Rosemead and Orange County to share why they support Hillary and to listen to Hillary supporters, who traveled from San Fernando Valley to San Bernardino and Orange County, to share why they support Hillary.
It was a pan-Asian event involving Chinese-Americans, Filipino-Americans, Japanese-Americans, Korean-Americans, South Asian-Americans, Taiwanese-Americans, Thai-Americans and Vietnamese-Americans. In fact, Trung Ta, President of the Vietnamese American Democratic Club, So Cal Co-Chair of AAPIs for Hillary, and National Co-Chair of Vietnamese Americans for Hillary came all the way from Orange County to be part of this event. It was a multi-cultural event too, including African-Americans, Latinas, White Women, Jewish-Americans, etc.
Pam Darden, Motown legend of The Marvelettes, started the event by singing "On a Clear Day" as a tribute to Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton and the Women Visionaries in the Room – the AAPI women (and men!), who serve as AAPI Co-Chairs and Ambassadors to the Community, Ambassadors to the World. Pam also sang a special rendition of "Dancin' in the Streets" which was dubbed "Voting in '08! Hillary for Pres!" - a tribute to 15 million AAPIs who live in AAPI communities across America, and a tribute to the 5 million AAPIs who live in California, and in particular, the 2.5 million AAPIs who are eligible to vote in California in 2008. Pam got AAPI Women and Men for Hillary singing "Hillary for Pres!" in the streets of Historic Filipinotown.
It could not have happened without the support of our Ambassadors to the Community and special guests: Natarajan Annaswamy, Hon. Edwin Chau, Jeremy Geaga, Anna Ghosh, Ilene Haber, Kevin Kaul, Kyron Kopanos, Johnny Milcat, Evaristo Ramos, Olivia Rodriguez, Robyn Ritter Simon, Patricia Salgado, Ken Trumkul, Amelia Wang & Jonathan Geaga Yap, who took the time to call friends to invite them, to involve them, and to discuss why AAPIs support Hillary.
More than 100 RSVP'ed with a pledge to give of their heart - to show up, to bring friends, to make friends, to endorse, to write a small check, to volunteer, to host another house party, etc. And that's exactly what the co-hosts wanted to achieve. Civic Engagement. Pan-Asian Unity. Participation. It wasn't the size of check that mattered, it was the size of one's heart.
Ong, who authored "GenerASIAN Next: The Emerging Power of 1 Million New AAPI Voters" announced that the goal is to turn out more than 4 million votes for Hillary: at least 2+ million women's votes and 2 million men's votes for California's February 5th primary (which starts as early as January 7th for the nearly 1 in 2 AAPIs who vote by mail). She noted that in the 2004 Presidential Election, 1/2 million - 3/4 million AAPIs voted for a Presidential candidate, and she implored AAPIs to exceed that goal, by reaching out as Ambassadors to the Community, Ambassadors to the World. "We want to reach, and involve, our 1/2 million high propensity AAPI voters, but I ask you to do more. I ask you help us reach our full promise, our full potential. There are 2.5 million AAPIs who are eligible to vote in California. Can you imagine if we turned out all 2.5 million AAPI voters for Hillary?!! Why, AAPIs would be the "AAPI" Factor in this race, and determine the outcome of the presidential election with half the vote!"
Geaga, the "Heart" of Historic Filipinotown, persuaded everyone to "Hi Fi!" (the chic abbeviation for Historic Filipinotown). She urged everyone to "Wear your AAPI Women for Hillary button, and use it to start a conversation with at least 5 more friends, 5 more AAPI voters, and 5 more emerging AAPI voters. Register 5 more Independent voters to vote in the Primary and re-register to vote Democrat! Most important, share why you and AAPIs support Hillary, and invite them to get involved with AAPIs for Hillary and Women for Hillary!"
WHY DO AAPIs SUPPORT HILLARY?
1: HILLARY IS A PROVEN LEADER WHO WILL PROTECT & DEFEND OUR NATION BY ENDING THE WAR IN IRAQ
"I support Hillary because of her unparalleled experience and unqualified support for Asian Pacific Islander American communities throughout the United States. As the former First Lady and U.S.Senator representing New York, she has also proven herself to be a gracious and adept leader with the wisdom and strength to defend our nation." -- Hon. Judy Chu, Vice Chair, California State Board of Equalization
"Hillary is the best and the most qualified candidate." -- Hon. Laura Lee, Emma Hilario & Amelia Wang, Trung Ta
"Hillary is the most qualified presidential candidate. She can lead this country back in the right direction and keep our country safe." -- Hon. Polly Low, Rosemead City Councilmember
"I support Hillary because I don't want this immoral war, and Hillary has the leadership and experience to end it in a smart way that protects our nation." -- Melissa Hilario
2: AAPIS ARE NOT "INVISIBLE" - HILLARY WILL CHAMPION ISSUES AAPIS CARE ABOUT:
"Of all the presidential candidates who are running, Hillary is the only one who is actively reaching out to all peoples - from urban cities to rural farming countries - from middle class mainstream Americans to the underrepresented and minority groups including us, the AAPI - Asian America and Pacific Islander Americans... We are Cambodian-Americans, Chinese-Americans, Indian-Americans, Hmong-Americans, Filipino-Americans, Korean-Americans, Samoan-Americans, Vietnamese-Americans, etc. Despite these hyphenated origins, we all share the basic values and dreams of America: decent living wage, basic health care, quality education for our children, and good job opportunities to keep our families together. Until our issues and concerns are being integrated into the national agenda, we have to maintain our distinctive voices and identities. I support Hillary because I believe when she is in the White House, we could all be identified as one America and all of us can shed our hyphenated identities and simply be Americans." - Hon. KimOanh Nguyen-Lam, Garden Grove USD
As a State Assemblymember who is trying to help California accomplish universal health care I admire U.S. Senator Clinton as someone who has tried very hard to extend health care to those that need it most." -- Hon. Mike Eng, Assemblymember, 49th Assembly District
"Since first listening to a speech by Hillary during the 1992 Democratic Convention in Manhattan, I have been impressed by her courageous and outspoken advocacy for issues that affect women across the board. At that convention, she was the only one I heard who spoke about the importance of child care! Now in 2008, she stands above the rest with her breadth of knowledge and experience. She is the most qualified candidate to lead us back to the right path." -- Joselyn Geaga Rosethal
"Hillary cares about America's Working Families." - Sumi Haru
"As a Public Health Administrator, I led policy discussions re: President Clinton's Health Reform Proposal, and from day one, was impressed by America's First Lady Hillary Clinton's intelligence, and tenacity, to protect and advance the health and well-being of ALL Americans. As a Women's Commissioner, I watched Hillary earn the respect of leaders throughout the world for championing "human rights as a woman's right, and women's rights as a human right." Not only is US Senator Hillary Clinton is the best presidential candidate, the most experienced presidential candidate, but most important, she is the presidential candidate I trust to protect and advance equality, and the quality of life, of all Americans and people throughout the world." -- Elena Ong
"A month ago, India just selected its first woman president. India, and the World, is ready for America to elect its first woman President, Hillary Rodham Clinton." -- Nalini Natarajan
When women set their minds to doing something, they are passionate, and nothing can stand in their way. When women have heart, no person will be invisible, forgotten, or left behind.
To Hillary, AAPIs, and women, are not "invisible." That is why "Hillary is in Our Hearts."
Ong shared how she, Emma Hilario & Patricia Salgado, connected at a Club44 Women for Hillary Debate Watch Party at the home of NWPC LA Westside President Robyn Ritter Simon, where Hillary joined 400+ National House Parties via a national conference call, to thank the "AAPI Women in California," and women throughout America, for organizing debate watch parties in all 50 states. When they heard this, they knew that because of Hillary and the Women of Hillaryland - Patty Solis Doyle, Ann Lewis, Capricia Marshall, Dana Singiser and Irene Bueno - that Women and AAPIs would be included, respected and valued, not only in Hillary's campaign, but during Hillary's Presidency.
Hillary is the only presidential candidate who, early on in her campaign, assembled one of the largest, strongest and most diverse teams of high-ranking AAPI elected officials, and AAPI community leaders, to lead her campaign - including US Congresswoman Doris Matsui serving as National Chair of AAPIs for Hillary and US Senator Daniel Inouye serving as National Chair of Veterans and Retired Military for Hillary. (Full list available on request).
Hillary is the only presidential candidate who, early on in her campaign, hired some of the top AAPIs in the nation, to lead at the top of her presidential campaign - including Neera Tanden, her Chief Policy Advisor, Huma Abedin, her Traveling Chief of Staff, Jin Chon, her Press Secretary for Specialty Media, Irene Bueno, her AAPI Outreach Director, and Connie Lee, her Southern California Deputy Field Director.
AAPI women and men, emerging voters, you are GenerASIAN NeXt, Hillary's Ambassadors to the Community, Ambassadors to the World.
Celebrate the 87th Anniversary of the Women's Right to Vote by joining AAPIs for Hillary and Women for Hillary. And in one year, let's celebrate Hillary's historic presidential nomination at DNC 2008 on the 88th Anniversary of the Women's Vote.
Hi Fi(ve)! Take 5! With America in the Heart, with Hillary in the Heart, nothing can stop us, and Hillary will win! Get involved! Join Women for Hillary at www.hillaryclinton.com . Connect with the AAPI for Hillary Co-Chairs!
Elena Ong
So California Co-Chair, AAPIs for Hillary
presidentialelection2008@gmail.com
Organizations listed for identification reasons only, and do not imply organizational endorsement.