Gary Locke, former Governor of Washington and a Chinese American, will be nominated as Commerce Secretary. He will be the third Asian Am. to serve in Pres. Obama's Cabinet -- a historic high. We thank President Obama and his Transition Team for a most positive response to the main theme of 80-20's colored, full page ad in the Washington Post -- "Asian Americans
yearn to make greater contributions to America." See the ad for yourself, click HERE.
We want to emphatically thank those who donated to 80-20 Educational Foundation to help it buy this costly ad. Their names are listed in the lower right hand corner of this ad.
If one has enough to live on, what is money for, EXCEPT to donate to such a worthy cause in order to change history for the betterment of America and million of one's fellow citizens. At times, we must dream to achieve highly!
However, our major job is NOT done -- winning equal opportunity for millions of Asian Am. workers. Happily, there is good news on that front as well.
Hilda Solis was confirmed as Labor Secretary yesterday. Labor Department is what will enforce Executive Order 11246 so that Asian Americans will, like all other Americans before us, ALSO enjoy equal opportunity in workplaces.
Sec. Solis was born to immigrant parents who worked in America and were Union members. Her former Congressional district includes Monterey Park, CA and has about 29% Asian Am. voters. We trust that she will be very different from Elaine Chao, the Labor Secretary under Pres. Bush. Elaine Chao publicly stated that the reason that Asian Ams were lacking in the managerial level was because Asian Ams lacked tail party skills. Chao, wife of Senator McConnell of Kentucky, has of course ample tail skills. She refused to enforce Exec. Order 11246 for Asian Ams.
80-20 will soon be in contact with Sec. Solis regarding 1) EEOC's recent finding that Asian Ams were discriminated against as federal employees, & 2) Pres. Obama's written promise to 80-20 regarding the enforcement of E.O. 11246.
Be vigilant. We are now fighting the biggest battle for our community's future. Please do your share.
Do you have enough to live on and send your kids to colleges? If you do, please consider joining 80-20. Go http://www.80-20initiative.net.
We make progress because people like YOU care and are willing to sacrifice a little. See the ad stating "Asian Americans yearn to make greater contributions to America."
Respectfully yours,
S. B. Woo (a volunteer)
Acting Executive Director,
80-20 PAC, Inc.