President Obama Signs Executive Order Restoring White House Initative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Contact: Malcolm Amado Uno
Phone: 202-508-3733
Email: muno@apalanet.org
Website: www.apalanet.org

Washington D.C. - President Obama signed an Executive Order restoring the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI).  Initiated in 1999 under President Bill Clinton, the WHIAAPI was formed to address a range of issues concerning the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

"With his actions, President Obama has reaffirmed the administration's commitment to diversity and inclusion," said John Delloro, APALA National President.  "An Executive Order restoring the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is a positive step to ensure that all Asian Pacific Americans have a voice and advocate within the federal government."

Under the prior administration, the WHIAAPI was narrowly focused on providing support to Asian Pacific American small business owners.  However, APALA believes that the mission of the WHIAAPI should reflect a mandate that reflects the diversity that exists within the broader community.

"We look forward to working with the administration to ensure that workers' rights are integrated into the vision, mission and operation of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders," said Malcolm Amado Uno, APALA Executive Director.

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will be housed within the Department of Education, where Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke will co-chair the commission.