HERE’S another one for the books, kababayans.
President Obama recently announced the appointment of two prominent Filipino-Americans as members of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).
The commission was formed as an initiative of the White House for AAPIs. The White House initiative is a federal inter-agency group working to for the betterment of AAPI communities through access to federal programs and through mobilizing AAPI communities to participate in these programs.
Rozita Villanueva Lee from Las Vegas, Nevada is the national vice chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and is also a member of the National Asian Pacific American Media Coalition which grades media networks on diversity issues. She also produced and hosted a TV program in Las Vegas which featured Asian Pacific American cultures. Lee is also credited for her efforts in FilVote – bringing Filipino-Americans to the polls during the presidential elections.
“With energy and enthusiasm, she has drawn upon her coalition building and networking skills to help move our community’s empowerment goals forward. A passionate advocate for civil rights, Rozita’s active engagement in grassroots organizing inspired our collective efforts to finally win official recognition of Filipino World War II veterans as US veterans,” described NaFFAA National Chair Greg Macabenta in a statement from NaFFAA.
Hector Vargas Jr. is a prominent gay rights activist and executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GMLA), an organization with over 2,000 medical professionals in 50 states and 12 countries. In the same statement, Macabenta called him “a tireless and committed advocate for Asian American ang LGBT communities.”
“At NaFFAA’s founding in 1997 and in subsequent national conferences, Hector worked diligently with community leaders to ensure that NaFFAA would be inclusive of the needs of its LGBT community members. As the current head of Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, Hector’s advocacy efforts are driven by his goal to ensure that all Americans affirm and embrace equality and inclusion and value the diversity within their own communities,” Macabenta further added.
Macabenta applauded the move made by Pres. Obama, saying that they “are specially delighted that two Filipino-American leaders have been appointed to serve in these very important administration posts.”
“We are extremely proud of Rozita Villanueva Lee and Hector Vargas. We know that they will be strong voices and a dynamic presence in this commission,” Macabenta said.
Lee and Vargas have the opportunity to bring issues concerning Filipino-Americans and Asian Americans in general, to the forefront. Vargas could also be instrumental in advocating the rights of the LGBT community.
But whatever goals they may achieve in their respective positions, they will surely have their kababayans’ interests in mind. (AJPress)
( www.asianjournal.com )
( Published September 22, 2010 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. 6 )
