For Immediate Release (10/24/06)
Contact Person: S. B. Woo (302 366-0259)
80-20 announced today that it has received a historic commitment from
the Democratic Party to help Asian Americans (AsAms) win equal
opportunity in workplaces. To create a win-win situation, 80-20, a non-
partisan organization, is urging Asian Americans to donate and vote for
Democratic Congressional candidates ONLY in the 2006 election. Two
Republican candidates who have been friendly to Asian Americans are
exceptions. See http://www.80-20initiative.net/gopcandidates.html
Howard Dean, Chairman of Democratic National Comm., wrote
S. B. Woo, President of 80-20 PAC, statin
1) "I look forward to working with you and other interested members of
Congress to encourage the US Labor Department to enforce Executive
Order 11246 for Asian Americans in the same way that the Clinton
Administration did in the 1990s."
2) "I will work with you and other AAPI community leaders to encourage
Congress to hold public hearings on the statistical evidence showing that
a glass ceiling exists in the workplace for Asian Americans," and
3) "Democratic Platform for 2008. I welcome input from you and
other leaders of the AAPI community, such as DNC Vice Chair Mike Honda
and DNC APIA Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong, as we develop the Platform."
S. B. Woo said, "Never before has a major political party stated
specifically how its intends to help Asian Americans, much less specific
ways to help us win equal opportunity in workplaces. 80-20 is proud to
have induced that commitment."
He also said, " Our decision is to help Democrats in order to help
ourselves. The party that has a majority controls the Congress. The
Democratic Party has promised to help Asian Americans win equal
opportunity by holding public hearings on and enforcing Exec. Order
11246. We can help the Democratic Party gain control of Congress by
winning tight races where Asian American votes and money can make a
difference."
80-20 plans to focus on 3 tight House races and 1 tight Senate race in
which our population is relatively large. They are Illinois Congressional
District 6, TX 22, WA 8, and the NJ senatorial race of Robert Menendez.
The race in IL 6 of Tammy Duckworth, an Asian American female pilot who
lost both legs in Iraq, will receive particular attention. All can send money
to Friends of Tammy Duckworth, 416 West 22nd Street, Lombard, Illinois
60148. Specify in your check "At the suggestion of 80-20."
Getting a major party to recognize Asian Americans' rightful concerns
in writing is historic and significant. "We must do all we can to ensure the
continuation of that concern. How? By making sure that we help back the
party that helps us." said Woo.
