CALIFORNIA ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS

S AC RAMENTO – Assembly Member Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) has been selected as the new Chair of the California Asian Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus.   Torrico takes over from the outgoing Co-Chairs Assembly Members Judy Chu ( D-Monterey Park ) and Leland Yee (D-San Francisco). 

“It is an honor to be selected by my colleagues to lead the API Caucus,” said Torrico. “I am proud to serve as the first biracial Chair of this Caucus, it is a reflection that members of the Legislature are beginning to look like the face of California today.”     

Torrico’s parents are immigrants from Bolivia and his mother is of Japanese descent. As a result, he is a member of the Latino Legislative Caucus and the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus – the first person ever to belong to both groups.

 “The API Caucus will continue to represent and advocate for the interests of the diverse API communities throughout the State,” added Torrico.  “We will also work closely with the Black and Latino caucuses on issues of common interest, such as preserving UC and CSU academic preparation programs and ensuring the needs of the state’s English language learners are met.” 

The 2006 API Caucus agenda includes advocating for its legislative priorities in the areas of language access, tolerance education, data collection, and consumer protection. It has also identified budget priorities, such as preserving the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) and UC and CSU academic preparation programs.  The Caucus will also continue to work to increase the number of APIs elected and appointed in government  

In addition to Torrico, the API Caucus consists of Democratic Assembly Members Wilma Chan, Judy Chu, Ted Lieu, Carol Liu, and Leland Yee.  State Board of Equalization Members John Chiang and Betty Yee serve as honorary members of the Caucus.

Torrico was elected in November 2004 to represent the 20th Assembly District, which includes the Tri-Cities of Fremont , Newark and Union City in Alameda County and Milpitas and part of San Jose in Santa Clara County . A former Vice Mayor of Newark, Torrico chairs the Assembly Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security.