CALIFORNIA ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS

The Joint Caucus will comprise of the eight API Members (five Democrats and three Republicans) currently serving in the Assembly and be co-chaired by Assemblymembers Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) and Alan Nakanishi (R-Lodi).

"I am excited about moving forward with this new venture," stated Chu. "The formation of the Joint Caucus creates new opportunities for us as API Members to come together and work across party lines to work on issues of relevance for our community."

"This is an exciting day for the legislature," stated Nakanishi. "We look forward to working together with our friends on the other side of the aisle as members of the Asian Pacific Islander Joint Legislative Caucus."

The Joint Caucus' 2005 agenda will include the following: providing support for the Commission on Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs; increasing the number of API appointments; advocacy of API related policy, legislative, and budget issues; and promoting leadership development activities and API youth mentorship.

The eight API Members of the Joint Caucus include: Wilma Chan (D-Oakland), Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), 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/Daly City).