| Sacramento - The California State Assembly observed May as Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Heritage Month today with the adoption of Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 62 and a special Floor ceremony featuring the presentation of the Inaugural API Heritage Awards. Awards were presented to prominent APIs who have achieved in the areas of business, civil rights, education, entertainment, and law.
"APIs continue to make progress in California politics with a record number of APIs serving in the Legislature," said Assemblywoman Judy Chu, Co-Chair of the Asian Pacific Islander Joint Legislative Caucus. "As we mark these achievements during APIA Heritage month this May, we must also remember those pioneers who paved the way for us, such as Senator Al Song, Rep. Robert Matsui, and Fred Korematsu."
"We are proud to recognize the recipients of the Inaugural APIA Heritage Awards, they represent the contributions APIs have made in every area of life," said Assembly Member Alan Nakanishi, Co-Chair of the Asian Pacific Islander Joint Legislative Caucus. "In addition to excelling in their respective professions, they have also dedicated themselves to improving their communities."
Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Award Recipients:
- Ruthe Ashley: API Heritage Award for Excellence in Public Service
- Fred Korematsu (Posthumously): API Heritage Award for Civil Rights
- Lou Diamond Phillips: API Heritage Award for Excellence in Entertainment and Arts
- Honorable Tammy Chung Ryu: API Heritage Award for Judicial Excellence
- Dr. Tony Vang: API Heritage Award for Excellence in Education
- C.C. Yin: API Heritage Award for Excellence in Business
ACR 62 commends California's Asian Pacific Islanders for their notable accomplishments and outstanding service to the state. It is authored by the eight Asian American Members of the Assembly: Assembly Members Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), Wilma Chan (D-Oakland), Shirley Horton (R-Chula Vista), Carol Liu (D-La Canada Flintridge), Alan Nakanishi (R-Lodi), Alberto Torrico (D- Newark), Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa), and Leland Yee (D-San Francisco).
Award for Excellence in Public Service
Ruthe Catolico Ashley, RN, MSN, JD, became the first Filipina to be elected to the State Bar of California Board of Governors in 2004. She is Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development for the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Her many past leadership roles include serving as president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and president of Legal Services of Northern California. In 1998, Ms. Ashley was a founding partner at the first Asian-American women-owned law firm in the greater Sacramento area. She was a registered nurse for 15 years prior to becoming a lawyer. Ms. Ashley was named one of the 10 most fascinating women in Filipinas magazine.
Award for Excellence in Arts & Entertainment
Lou Diamond Phillips has been an actor, associate producer, and director. Among the films Mr. Phillips has taken a role in are La Bamba, Stand and Deliver, Courage Under Fire, and many other films and Broadway theater productions including The King and I. Mr. Phillips, who was born in the Philippines, is of mixed Filipino, Cherokee Indian, Scottish-Irish, Hawaiian and Hispanic descent. He has been an active supporter of Filipino Veterans issues and Asian Americans in the entertainment business and has helped to raise considerable funds to help lobby for these causes in Washington, D.C.
Award for Civil Rights
Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu (Posthumously) was a civil rights activist and American hero who challenged Executive Order 9066, which mandated the internment of Japanese descendents during World War II. This challenge reached the Supreme Court, but was not vindicated until forty years later.
His path to legal vindication was the basis for the Emmy-winning 2002 PBS documentary Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story, co-produced by Eric Paul Fournier and Korematsu's son, Ken Korematsu. Mr. Korematsu was born in 1919 in Oakland and passed away March 30, 2005 at the age of 86.
Award for Judicial Excellence
Judge Tammy Chung Ryu is the first Korean-American woman to be appointed judge in California. On the bench of the Los Angeles Superior Court, she presides over adult misdemeanor trials and juvenile delinquency matters. Judge Ryu was the president of the Korean American Bar Association in 1994 and served as a board member for over 15 years. She was a founding member and on the board of the APA Bar Association of L.A. and has served on the boards of the Korean American Family Service Center and the Korean American Coalition.
Award for Excellence in Education
Dr. Tony Vang is an Associate Professor of Education at California State University, Fresno. He was the first Hmong American to be elected to the Fresno Unified School Board of Education in 2002. Dr. Vang was the founder of Fresno Center for New Americans and the co-founder of Hmong American National Development. Dr. Vang has made numerous presentations throughout the United States on Southeast Asian refugee resettlement issues and their children's education.
Award for Excellence in Business
C.C. Yin is co-founder of both Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association and the Solano County Chinese-American Association. He serves as president of the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce and is active in the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Yin owns 21 McDonald's restaurants with his wife Regina. Mr. Yin is also involved with the Vacaville Rotary Club, Vacaville Counter Force program, his local NAACP chapter, and local schools as well as other educational programs.
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