UPDATED:  July 25, 2010 11:57 PM
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Obama Appoints Daphne Kwok Chair of the Advisory Commission on AAPI



WASHINGTON–Top community leader and advocate Daphne Kwok has been appointed by President Barack Obama as Chair of the Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

As Commission Chair, Ms. Kwok will work closely with the White House Initiative on AAPIs to increase awareness of federal resources for underserved AAPI communities.

Ms. Kwok is currently the Executive Director of Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California. She was also the Executive Director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation from 2005 to 2007, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies from 2001 to 2005, and at the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) from 1990 to 2001.

During her term at OCA, Ms. Kwok was elected the first Chair of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, the Initiative co-chairs, and Initiative Executive Director Kiran Ahuja will all work in collaboration with Ms. Kwok to address the critical needs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Among these are language access, data disaggregation, diversity and inclusion in federal employment, and increased access to federal programs and services.

In October 2009, President Obama signed an executive order to reinstate the White House Advisory Commission and Interagency Working Group, whose goal is to address issues affecting the AAPI community and increase AAPI participation in federal programs.

Initiative Executive Director Ahuja welcomed the appointment, saying she knew Ms. Kwok and was familiar with her outstanding work. “We used to work together for nonprofits,” Ms. Ahuja said on the day the president announced the appointment. Standing beside her at a recent event in this capital, Ms. Kwok said she “looked forward” to working on the Advisory Commission.

 

Welcome appointment

Other top community leaders unanimously hailed the appointment, which was announced on July 26.

Remarked Ken Lee, National President of OCA: “Daphne is an extraordinarily capable and passionate leader for the AAPI community. The depth of her experiences and what she has already accomplished will prove invaluable to the commission. OCA greatly applauds this appointment and we look forward to working with Daphne and the Initiative.”

“We in the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community anticipate working with Daphne and the Commission, as well as Kiran and the Initiative, to ensure that not only Asian American but also Pacific Islander issues are sufficiently addressed,” said Esther Kiaaina, APIAVote board member and Chief Advocate at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

“We applaud President Obama’s appointment of Daphne. Her commitment to civic engagement has been unwavering,” said Leverett Wing, APIAVote executive director. “I look forward to the many strides our community can make working with the Commission and the Initiative.” Ms. Kwok is APIAVote’s board chair and co-founder.

“Daphne’s knowledge and experience with our AAPI community has significant breadth and depth, and is just what the Commission needs to continue the important work ahead of ensuring that federal agencies are making a positive impact on the lives of AAPIs,” said Gloria Caoile. Ms Caoile was former White House Advisory Commissioner for the Initiative, and also an APIAVote board member and co-founder.

“Daphne’s persistence in ensuring that there are community voices at the table makes her leadership invaluable to the Initiative,” she added.

“We are delighted with President Obama’s recent appointment of Daphne Kwok,” said NaFFAA National Chair Greg Macabenta. “Her demonstrated leadership as a strong advocate for community empowerment and civic engagement assures us that this commission will pursue with renewed vigor and energy the White House Initiative to improve the lives of underserved Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.”

Ms. Kwok’s work with federal agencies has included being appointed to the Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Board (2000-2005); testifying before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; and being a grant reviewer for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. She also currently serves on the board of trustees at Wesleyan University, where she earned her B.A.

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