CALIFORNIA ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS

"The API community has grown tremendously and made great progress in different areas but we still face many challenges." said Chu. "I am excited to be able to further serve my community as the API Caucus Chair."

One of Chu's first priorities is to host the API Caucus' first policy summit on June 7 in Sacramento. California's API community leaders will be invited to a day of workshops and events that will focus on the current and future needs of the community, and strengthen their statewide voice. The events will culminate in a dinner, in which prominent Asian Pacific Islanders will be honored.

"We need to start bringing together leaders of the various API communities from across California, to help us, as policymakers, develop our priorities." Chu stated.

The mission of the API Caucus is to represent and advocate for the interests of the diverse API communities throughout the State. The Caucus also advocates for budget priorities to preserve key programs serving API communities. In addition to Chu, the API Caucus consists of Assemblymembers Wilma Chan, Carol Liu, George Nakano, and Leland Yee. State Board of Equalization Member, John Chiang, serves as an honorary member of the Caucus.

Chu was elected to the California State Assembly on May 15th, 2001. She represents a Southern California district that includes Alhambra, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, South El Monte, San Gabriel, and San Marino. Chu is also the chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. As such, she serves as a member of Speaker Nunez' executive leadership team and she plays a pivotal role in the development and passage of policy through the state Legislature.