1/21/08 Asian Week: Choosing Sides in the Democratic Presidential Race,
by Maeley Tom
    On Feb. 5, California has a rare opportunity to play a significant role in the presidential primary races.
    Asian American and Pacific Islanders, the second largest ethnic community in California , will be courted like never before. The same goes for other states with a high concentration of AAPI voters, such as New York, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Nevada, and of course, Hawaii.
    I have been following the top three Democratic presidential campaigns Clinton, Edwards and Obama with great interest. Each candidates platform shares the same commitment to specific issues of concern to the AAPI, whether it be the Iraq war crisis, the economy, diversity within the administration, immigration reform, family reunification, education, affordable health care, or hate crimes and racial profiling. The candidates approaches to these issues vary, but their end goals are the same.
    All three campaigns are engaged with the AAPI communities and have hired key AAPIs in their campaigns. However, I still feel that the AAPI community does not get its fair share of resources, public visibility and personal attention from presidential campaigns as a whole. The impact of this communitys voting bloc will be realized when election results demonstrate that this communitys vote can actually make a difference between victory and defeat in key states with the largest number of electoral votes. But, it is up to this community to deliver the votes to make the impact.
    The line-up of AAPI supporters for each candidate demonstrates that the community is divided among the three Democratic candidates, based on supporters perception of the candidates experience, public policies, character and relationship with the AAPI community.
    AAPI for Edwards: In March, Edwards asked his friend Dale Minami, attorney and president of the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans, to host a meeting of California AAPI leaders to meet with him. Minami, an AAPI institution himself, has been a supporter of Edwards since 2004. State Board of Equalization President Betty Yee and state Senator Leland Yee (no relation) are also major supporters of Edwards. Leland Yee serves on the Edwards campaigns Leaders for One America. Sacramentos Bill Wong, executive director of the AAPI Small Business PAC; Dan Kuramoto, leader of the jazz group Hiroshima; Chris Pak, president of the Archeon Group; Raahi Reddy, president of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance; and Steve Ngo of the S.F. Bay Area Asian Bar Association are all a part of the Edwards AAPI steering committee in California.
    Two high-power AAPI women in politics currently serve as senior advisors in his campaign: Courtni Pugh, former Democratic National Committee AAPI director, and Jadine Nielsen, a former Clinton White House liaison, who now resides in Hawaii.

From Asian American Action Fund:
http://www.aaa-fund.org/campaigns/president08/index.asp 

The Asian American Action Fund has made important contributions to the political process on behalf of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) since its founding eight years ago. 

The AAPI community has made innumerable contributions in American history and it is important that we recognize and celebrate these achievements. We all know that there is much work still to be done. From the "model minority" myth to language accessibility to the struggle for equal opportunity to the challenges of our broken immigration system, all Americans must share responsibility for breaking down the barriers that prevent us from realizing the American Dream.

In order to ensure these goals, I have outlined a bold and transformational agenda that will give everyone the same chance that America has given me. First, we must guarantee health care for every American. Nearly 18 percent of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders lack health insurance. Rates are even higher among many AAPI communities: 34 percent for Korean Americans, 27 percent for Vietnamese Americans and 20 percent for Chinese and Filipino Americans. I have a plan to take on the insurance and drug companies and guarantee true universal health care that provides everyone in America with the option of a public plan. To combat the language barriers that have led to major health disparities, I will establish a national 24-hour medical translation and interpretation hotline for rural and smaller hospitals and will give urban hospitals additional resources to provide language access.

Additionally, we know that more than 50 years after Brown v. Board of Education, our education system remains shockingly unequal. States spend $900 less per student in their most diverse school districts. The lack of federal funding for education has led to cuts for English language and minority outreach programs. I will invest in teacher pay and training to attract teachers where we need them most, reduce class size, create second-chance schools to help dropouts get back on track, expand early childhood education and strengthen high school curricula.

We must also come together to help the 37 million Americans who wake up in poverty every day -- including more than 1.4 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Poverty rates are disproportionately higher among Hmong Americans (38 percent), Cambodian Americans (29 percent) and native Hawaiians and Samoan Americans (both 18 percent). I will raise the minimum wage to $9.50 by 2012, create one million stepping stone jobs, expand the earned income tax credit, strengthen labor laws to make it easier for workers to join a union and step up enforcement against wage violations. I also support a family assistance policy that supports training and education, such as English classes.

Over the last 20 years, the number of hate crimes against Asian Americans has grown faster than crimes against any other group and since 9/11, Americans of South Asian descent have become targets of racial profiling. I believes that everyone is entitled to live in dignity without fear of violence and I support strengthening the federal hate crimes legislation to ensure law enforcement officials have all the tools and resources they need to protect every community in America. I will ban racial profiling in law enforcement and ensure that all everyone in America is treated with dignity and respect.

Further details and proposals for other issues important to the AAPI community can found on my website, www.johnedwards.com and in my AAPI Policy Statement (pdf). In the future, I know that we can work together to overcome the unique challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islanders as well as the problems that face all Americans as we fight to build One America.

Contact: Bryan Jung, 919-636-4993, bjung[AT]johnedwards.com, AAPIs for Edwards. (www.johnedwards.com/issues/aapi)

10/21/07 ABC7/KGO-TV/DT: "San Mateo Holds Democratic Straw Poll; First Place Goes To John Edwards,"
by Tomas Roman
    San Mateo, Calif. - Close to a thousand Democratic voters on the Peninsula paid money for the chance to weigh in on their choice for the party's president. It was a first of its kind straw poll in San Mateo.
    Tomas Roman: "Why do you think this is important to come here?" 
    Jorge Jaramillo, Voter: "To get more information about the agenda of each candidate." 
    Jorge is one of close to 1,000 people who filled the San Mateo Event Center. They came to listen to representatives of five presidential candidates and cast their straw vote for the one they want in the White House. Only Congressman Dennis Kucinich came in person to talk to them. He got quite a reception. 
     Today's straw vote won't be binding on anyone, but organizers say it will send a message. 
    "People locally across the state and across the country are looking to understand what Californians think about these candidates," says Andrew Brynes with the San Mateo Democratic Party. 
    State Senator Leland Yee stood in for Senator John Edwards. 
    "We need a individual who is absolutely committed with a vision, with a plan, to bring all these issues back together so that we can heal ourselves as one country," said Yee. 
    Today's event was also a fundraiser. Organizers expected to raise more than $25,000 for the San Mateo Democratic party. They met their goal. 
    The winner of today's straw poll was Senator John Edwards with more than one-third of the vote. A close second was Congressman Dennis Kucinich. 



9/28/07 Press Release
EDWARDS STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF HATE CRIME LEGISLATION
    Chapel Hill , North Carolina Senator John Edwards released the following statement following the U.S. Senate's vote to support new federal hate crime legislation:
    "Every American deserves the right to live without fear of physical violence -- law enforcement should have all the resources and tools it needs to protect every community in America .  I have long supported strengthening our hate crimes laws to show that Americans will not tolerate or condone hateful violence of any kind.
    "With 25 hate crimes committed every day by the FBI's count one every hour it is embarrassing that the White House says stronger law enforcement tools are 'unnecessary.' Nine years after the heinous murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., these tools are more necessary than ever."  


California Board of Equalization Chairwoman says Edwards is the best candidate to lead country and take back the White House,"
    San Francisco, California Senator John Edwards visited California today, receiving the endorsement of California Board of Equalization Chairwoman Betty Yee, who has been helping the campaign since late July. Chairwoman Yee publicly announced her support today at a fundraiser she hosted for Edwards in San Francisco.
    "I support John because he has the boldest, most detailed policies to move this country forward," said Yee. "Whether it is ending the war in Iraq, providing truly universal healthcare, fighting global warming, ending poverty or enacting comprehensive immigration reform, John has set himself apart from the other candidates. I believe he is the best candidate to lead our country and the best chance Democrats have at taking back the White House."
    Yee has spent more than 20 years in public service, focusing on state and local finance and infrastructure. She has served as the Chief Deputy Director for Budget at the California Department of Finance, as senior staff in policy and fiscal committees in the California State Senate and State Assembly, and as a county public health commissioner. She has also been a tireless advocate and community leader for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
    "Betty's commitment to advocating for those who have no voice is an example of what we all should be doing to build a better America," said Edwards. "I am honored to have her support and look forward to working with her to change our country, so every American has the opportunity to work hard and succeed."
How You Can Take Action

 
5/17/07 Nichi Bei Times
    The John Edwards for President campaign announced in April a list of 22 Asian American leaders from across the country who are supporting the former U.S. senator from North Carolina .
    Early Edwards supporters include Bay Area civil rights and community leader Dale Minami, as well as California state Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) and a handful of White House liaisons from President Bill Clintons administration.
    Senator Edwards has consistently reached out to the AAPI community, said Minami in a statement released by Edwards campaign at the time. He has articulated policies which reflect our values as Asian American and Pacific Islanders. This is why I support his candidacy for the presidency.
    Edwards, for his part, has recently issued statements on AAPI issues. He called for full and equal benefits for the Filipino veterans who fought alongside American troops in World War II, and denounced an anti-Asian skit by a New York-based duo of radio hosts.
    The attention to the AAPI community appears to be one warranted by changing demographics.
    The AAPI community is the fastest growing ethnic group in the country, according to the Census Bureau, and currently represents five percent of the total population. Clinton s campaign noted that in California , the number of AAPIs eligible to vote has more than doubled from 1990 to 2005.
    Currently there are 2.5 million eligible AAPI voters in California , representing 12 percent of California voters, the campaign notes.

APAP National House Party
Asian Pacific American House Parties
With the Leading Democratic Presidential Candidates
Senator John Edwards
May 6, 2007 - 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM PST  

Asian Pacific American House Parties  

In an effort to get more Asian Pacific Americans involved in the political process, and to highlight our community's issues and voting clout, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress is hosting a nationally networked House Parties with the leading Democratic presidential candidates on May 6th. So far, we have confirmed Senator John Edwards who will be discussing his campaign as well as answering questions from our community. Please gather your friends, family and co-workers to come and participate. (Senators Obama and Clinton and Governor Richardson have also been invited to participate.)

For more details, please refer to www.apaforprogress.org.

DC-Area House Party
When May 6th, 2007 7:00 PM through 10:00 PM  
Location Northern Virginia/DC
1515 Jefferson Davis Highway
Apt 1510 - Crystal Square Apartments
Arlington , VA 22202

4/6/07 AsianWeek: Edwards Encouraged to Speak About APA Issues,
    San Francisco Bay Area Asian American political activists were sizing up presidential candidate John Edwards this week, less than 11 months before the California primary.
    Two local APAs were part of an informational telephone conference last Wednesday with Edwards, who spoke on the line to participants in seven other states, including the major APA-populated states of Hawaii , Washington and Oregon . 
    The former North Carolina senators "humble upbringing" was suited for the presidency, and he addressed the disparities between rich and poor, said supporter and trial attorney David Yen. 
    "He is the only candidate who has talked about race a little bit," he said, alluding to Edwards desire to create a racially colorblind society. "But he hasnt been very specific about the matter or specifically about Asian Americans at all, as far as I am aware." 
    Edwards campaign website currently does not address race relations and immigration. "He needs to address these issues," said Yen. "When it comes to racism and immigration, Asian Americans are the forgotten minority." 
    Indian American activist Shanthal Sussman who is considering Edwards and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama agrees she has not heard the two-time presidential candidate expound on racial justice issues. "I have hopes that Edwards will make racial justice a priority, but I havent heard much from the campaign. Often racial and economic justice issues are intertwined. There is often a great deal of overlap." 
    One of those issues that overlaps is health care. "If we can address the needs of the health care system and make it affordable and available to people regardless of their economic status, that will do a lot to help further racial justice," Sussman said. 
    Two days earlier in Union Square , Edwards met with the Coalition for Asian Pacific Americans and elected officials, including Controller John Chiang, Board of Equalization Chair Betty Yee and other APA political activists. CAPA endorsed Edwards for president in 2004. 
    Edwards pledged that APAs "will be represented at the highest levels of my campaign and my administration," according to CAPA. 
    Host and CAPA President Dale Minami said, "Sen. Edwards hired Asian Americans in senior campaign staff positions [in 2004] and has APIs represented in this campaign. I believe John Edwards is truly committed to diversity and inclusion."


4/3/07 http://capaweb.org/: "Edwards Meets With APIs "
    CAPA president Dale Minami (center) introduces John Edwards while Calif. state Controller John Chiang (left), CAPA board member Steve Ngo (second from left) and CAPA co-founder Don Tamaki listen in. Photo by Blake Tamaki.
    Presidential Candidate John Edwards Meets with CAPA and Bay Area Asian Americans March 28, 2007 Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards expressed his commitment Monday evening to more than 40 leaders in the Asian American community that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders "will be represented at the highest levels of my campaign and my administration." He also answered questions related to immigration reform, marriage equality and the Bush administration's erosion of civil liberties in its "war" on terror.
    The gathering was hosted by the law firm of Minami Tamaki LLP and the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA),a political action committee supporting candidates with a record of advocating issues important to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
    CAPA had previously endorsed Senator Edwards in his 2004 Presidential bid but has not made a Presidential endorsement yet. We were pleased to respond to Edwards outreach to the API community with a meet-and-greet and not a fundraiser said Steve Ngo, CAPA Board member.
    CAPA President Dale Minami recognized Edwards' previous track record in hiring AAPIs: "Sen. Edwards hired Asian Americans in senior campaign staff positions in his previous campaign and has API's represented in this campaign. I believe John Edwards is truly committed to diversity and inclusion
    One of the highlights of the event was the attendance by John Chiang, California State Controller and the highest-ranking Asian-American officeholder in the continental United States .
    Other notable elected officials attended the meeting, including Board of Equalization chair Betty Yee and San Francisco Assessor Phil Ting. Other guests included former U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner, Yvonne Lee, state Democratic Party AAPI caucus chair Julie D. Soo, immediate past president of the Bay Area Asian American Bar Association David Chiu , and Asian American Small Business PAC political director Bill Wong.
    Their attendance was not an endorsement of Edwards.

 

2/26/04: NCAPA Officers Meet with Presidential Candidate Senator John Edwards Claremont, CA--Today, officers of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans met with Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards to discuss policy priorities in their national platform, Call to Action: Platform for Asian Pacific Americans National Policy Priorities 2004. In their meeting with Edwards, the officers discussed issues of importance to APAs, diversity on his campaign staff and his continued commitment to diversity if he is elected President. While APAs comprise only 4.2 percent of the U.S. population, their numbers are concentrated in key states, making APAs an important voting population. For example, California has a voting age population that is 9.6 percent APA. California will hold its primary on Tuesday, March 2nd, where 370 delegates are at stake. A candidate needs 2,162 delegates to secure the party's nomination. "Super Tuesday is right around the corner. California and New York represent states with a significant population of Asian Pacific American voters. This is a critical stage of the 2004 elections and we expect that the presidential candidates and major political parties recognize this, and will respond to issues and recommendations raised in the NCAPA Platform," stated Karen K. Narasaki, President and Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium and NCAPA Chair. "Senator John Edwards is the first presidential candidate to respond to NCAPA's request for a meeting to share the concerns of Asian Pacific Americans as reflected in the NCAPA Platform. This is significant because it demonstrates the Senator's recognition that Asian Pacific Americans represent an emerging and influential voting group. We are also pleased that Senator Edwards has made a commitment to hold on-going discussions with him and his staff," said Christine Chen, Executive Director of the Organization of Chinese Americans and NCAPA Treasurer. "We are disappointed that the remaining presidential candidates have not responded to the contents of the NCAPA Platform and a request for an in-person meeting. We hope that they will take the lead from Senator Edwards and initiate contact soon," commented John Delloro, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance National Board Member and NCAPA member. "The meeting gave NCAPA members an opportunity to share some of the key concerns and issues impacting our community, from immigration and worker rights to the representation of Asian Pacific Americans in federal programs and appointments as well as at all levels of government," said EunSook Lee, Executive Director of the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium and NCAPA member. The Platform is available at www.ncapaonline.org.

2/18/04
Presidential Candidate John Edwards Reports The Endorsement of LA Community College Trustee Warren Furtani 

1/9/04 Edwards campaign?: "Edwards Takes On Two School Systems and Vows to End Legacy Admissions" 
    Manchester, NH: During a campaign swing through New Hampshire today, Senator John Edwards (D-NC) pledged to end legacy admissions as part of his comprehensive plan to create one school system where every child has the same opportunity to succeed. 
    "Nearly 50 years after Brown v. Board of Education, we still have two school systems, not divided by race but by income," Edwards said. "Millions of school children in our cities and small towns do not get the education they deserve, and this is wrong." 
    Calling education the great equalizer in America, Edwards today highlighted his proposal to end legacy admissions which give already advantaged students a leg- up in getting into schools. Legacies account for 10 percent to 20 percent of an incoming class at most top schools, and while many legacy students are highly successful, the average legacy student is significantly less qualified than non-legacies. 
    "There's nothing more symbolic of George Bush's two Americas than the fact that universities and colleges still give special preference to legacies," Edwards said. "The legacy preference rewards students who had the most advantages to begin with. That's an old barrier of the past, and it needs to be knocked down for good." 
    As president, Edwards pledged to put an end to legacy admissions. As a first step towards reaching this goal, he supports disclosure of rates of legacy admissions by colleges and universities. 
    "Kids from the kinds of families I grew up with already have to fight an uphill battle to get to college," Edwards said. "They don't need additional barriers that stand in the way." 
    Edwards also noted that his "College for Everyone" plan and support for increased funding of Pell grants would expand access to higher education and create opportunity for young people across the country. 
    "I believe that every person who is qualified and wants to further his or her education should have the opportunity to do so," Edwards said. "It just doesn't make any sense to shut people out of college when it's clear that a good education opens up so many doors to opportunity." 
    The first person in his family to go to college, Edwards understands the importance of expanding access to quality education in America and has made improving our schools a central theme of his campaign. Over the last year, he has unveiled the most detailed education plan of any candidate, including proposals to invest in our teachers, reform our high schools, expand afterschool programs and fix and fund No Child Left Behind.

12/16/03  FORMER HAWAII LT. GOVERNOR MAZIE HIRONO ENDORSES JOHN EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT 
RALEIGH, NC: The Edwards for President campaign today announced that former Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono endorsed John Edwards (D-NC) for president. "Mazie Hirono's seven terms in the state House of Representatives and two terms as Lieutenant Governor are a testament to her commitment to service and to the people of Hawaii, " Edwards said. "As the first immigrant woman of Asian ancestry elected to statewide office in America, she is an inspiration to us all and living proof that if given the opportunity to succeed, hard work can take you anywhere. I am honored to have her support." Hirono said that Edwards' biography initially interested her in the campaign, but his detailed policy initiatives are what earned her endorsement. "Initially, I was inspired by Senator Edwards' background. He learned the same lessons working in the mill with his father that I learned delivering newspapers as a fifth grader to help my family, so he understands the importance of hard work, education, and opportunity for everyone," Hirono said. "But after reading Real Solutions, his detailed policy book, I realized that Senator Edwards has not only the right values, but also the right ideas to get America back on track."

APA LEADERS LAUNCH WEB SITE SUPPORTING EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT http://www.apaforedwards.com ** Edwards one of only two candidates with APA supporters online ** 

    San Francisco (Dec. 12, 2003) - Asian Pacific American (APA) leaders today launched an unofficial grassroots Web site - www.APAforEdwards.com - supporting Senator John Edwards (D-NC) for president, and encouraged the APA community to learn more about Edwards' campaign. Edwards is now one of only two Democratic presidential candidates whose APA supporters have developed an online presence. 
    The Web site highlights Edwards' agenda on civil rights, reasons why APAs should support him, mailing list registration, and a list of more than 20 high-profile endorsements, including that of former Hawaii lieutenant governor Mazie Hirono and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Fred Korematsu. 
    Demonstrating his commitment to diversity and the inclusion of all Americans, Edwards appointed Deputy Political Director Courtni Sunjoo Pugh, a Korean American, as his primary liaison to the APA community. Pugh previously served as National Director for Asian Pacific American outreach for the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 election; National Field Director for Rock the Vote in Los Angeles; and Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis of Chicago. 
    "Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up the one of the most diverse and fastest-growing segment of our population," Edwards said in a press release issued by his campaign earlier this year. "I'm honored to have the support of some of the most accomplished members of this vibrant community and of this nation."
    Edwards has proposed repealing parts of the Patriot Act thas." Earlier this year, Edwards criticized his fellow North Carolinian, Congressman Howard Coble, who said that Japanese Americans were interned for their own safety. "Someone who thinks it was okay for the United States to put innocent Americans behind barbed wire fences in 1942 should not make decisions about how to protect Americans in 2003," Edwards said. 
    Other APAs endorsing Edwards include: . Gayatri Eassey, Young Democrats of Washington State president . Tessie Guillermo, former CEO of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum . David Kim, California Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs commissioner t allow for indefinite detention of people deemed "enemy combatantand Korean American Coalition board member . Dan Kuramoto, leader of the acclaimed jazz band, Hiroshima . Yvonne Lee, former US Civil Rights commissioner . Ginger Lew, former deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration . Dale Minami, president of the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans . Rose Matsui Ochi, former assistant U.S. attorney general for Community Relations . Jadine Nielsen, former deputy chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation . Mona Pasquil, former deputy CEO for the 2000 Democratic National Convention . Mark Pulido, ABC Unified School Board member . Inbo Sim, vice president, National Korean American Service and Education Consortium . Victor Sim, Korean American Coalition board member. . Sumeer Singla, vice president of Kanoon South Asian Bar Association. . Jill N. Tokuda, former executive director of the Hawaii Democratic Party . Phil Ting, California Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs commissioner . Ronald W. Wong, California Community College Board member Also endorsing Edwards were Michael Bai, Vida Benavides, Charmette Bonpua, Lyle Canceko, Laura Efurd, Bill Hirose, May Lee, Elizabeth Martinez Baldick, Ray Ocampo, Chris Pak, Bill Wong, Charlie Woo, and Hoyt Zia. 
    For more information on the "APAs for Edwards" Web site, email info@apaforedwards.com.

11/24/03: Senator Edwards Cosponsors Filipino Veterans Equity Act
    Raleigh, NC: Senator John Edwards (D-NC) has cosponsored
a bill to give better veterans benefits to Filipinos who fought
for the United States in World War II.
    "Thousands of Filipinos fought and died alongside American troops
in World War II," Edwards said. "These veterans fought as
American nationals under American commanders. We owe them
not only our gratitude, but a fulfillment of the promise we made
to them."
    The Philippine Islands became a United States possession in
1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1934, Congress set
up the framework for Filipino independence, but those plans
were interrupted by Japan's invasion of the islands in World
War II.
    On July 26, 1941, President Roosevelt called up members of
the Philippine Commonwealth Army to serve in the war. Under this
order, Filipinos were entitled to full veterans' benefits. More than
100,000 Filipinos volunteered and fought alongside the
United States armed forces not only of the Philippine Islands,
but also of the entire Western Pacific. Filipinos were in
the front lines of the battle of Corregidor and Bataan, walked
in the Bataan Death March, and were tortured as prisoners of
war.
    Congress in 1946 gave the Philippines its independence, but
also rescinded Filipino veterans' benefits.
    Introduced by Senator Daniel Inouye, the Filipino Veterans
Benefit Improvement Act would begin to redress this injustice
and extend veterans benefits to Filipino Veterans.
    "Senator John Edwards is taking an important step supporting
the cause of the Filipino World War II veterans," said Lourdes
Tancinco, co-chair of National Network for Veterans Equity
and chair of the San Francisco Veterans Equity Center.

10/22/03
The Indian American Center for Political Awareness 1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20036 43 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10010 202.955.8338 - 202.327.5483 (f) - www.iacfpa.org 
    IACPA Works with Candidates to Address Indian American Issues 
    In an effort to help the Indian American community better understand where candidates for the Democratic nomination stand on issues of importance, the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) asked all candidates to answer a series of questions on national and international issues. Over the next several weeks, IACPA will be releasing the answers that candidates have provided.
    Senator John Edwards (D-NC) was the first of the nine candidates for the Democratic nomination to respond to IACPA, and as such, his answers will be the first to be publicized. This does not connote an endorsement of Senator Edwards by IACPA or any of its affiliates. 
    IACPA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the participation of the Indian American community in public policy and the political process. IACPA is also a strong advocate for stronger civil rights and better immigration and hate crimes legislation. It works with several national and local grassroots organizations to publicize and effect change on issues affecting the Indian American community. For additional information on IACPA, please visit their website at www.iacfpa.org or call at 202.955.8338.
    Indian American Center for Political Awareness John Edwards Response to Questionnaire 
    1) Both the United States and India have been the victims of international terrorism. Both countries have established working groups and conducted joint anti-terrorism exercises to address this issue. As President, what will you do to support and enhance this relationship? 
    Promoting a strong U.S.-Indian relationship will be one of my highest priorities. India is the world's largest democracy and is in a critical part of the world, and the United States and India share many common interests - and one of the most important is fighting international terrorism. To fight international terrorism, we should enhance our efforts to cooperate in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, and non-proliferation. We also need to continue to seek a permanent end to the cross-border terrorism that India has suffered. 
    2) What are your views on India's bid to gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council? 
    As a strong supporter of the United Nations, I believe that the United States must play an active role in that vital international organization. We must help reform the United Nations to make it more efficient, effective and reflective of 21st Century challenges and realities. This includes reform of the United Nations Security Council. As the United States and India draw closer on all issues - including non-proliferation - I would be prepared to support India's becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. 
    3) The United States and India have recently conducted a series of joint military exercises. As President, how would you approach the burgeoning defense relationship between the United States and India? Would you support greater U.S. defense sales to India? 
    The United States and India share many common strategic interests. I agree with Prime Minister Vajpayee that as the world's largest democracies, and with the values and principles that we share, the U.S. and India are "natural allies." As natural allies, we should continue to cooperate on a wide range of defense issues, including joint military exercises and the sale of military equipment when this enhances India's security and contributes to regional stability. 
    4) As President, would you support establishing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India? 
    As one of the world's largest and most important markets, India is a prominent example of President Bush's misguided trade priorities. Increased trade with India could create many jobs in the United States. Yet instead of opening markets like India's, President Bush is negotiating faulty deals with small countries--deals that are unlikely to make a real difference for our economy. Increased trade with India, in a context that provides basic labor and environmental protections, could create many jobs at home. 
    5) Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Indian Americans, specifically Sikh Americans, have been the victims of serious hate crimes. Do you support stronger hate crimes legislation? As President, what would you do to curb the occurrence of hate crimes? 
    America cannot allow fear to motivate crimes based on hate. Such crimes not only harm the victim and his or her family; they also have devastating effects on the community sharing the victim's traits. That is why I have co-sponsored legislation to strengthen enforcement and penalties for hate crimes. These laws will help provide needed federal assistance to states that have extraordinary expenses in investigating and prosecuting crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Law enforcement officials must be better trained to recognize and prevent hate crimes, and criminals using children to commit hate crimes should be subject to enhanced penalties. 
    6) How do you respond to fears that law enforcement's increased use, or proposed use, of invasive technology is a violation of basic privacy rights? 
    New technologies create important opportunities to make us safer, but also great possibilities for abuse. We should use technology in a way that aids the battle against terrorism but safeguards the fundamental liberties that define our country. This requires important checks-limits on when different types of data mining are appropriate and with whom results may be shared, for example, as well as data trails and accountability to the public. In Congress, I authored legislation to establish new guidelines for the use of new surveillance and data mining technologies in a way that respects our privacy. Unfortunately, Attorney General John Ashcroft has abused his authority and claimed unprecedented power. We need to rein in this Attorney General and rewrite provisions of the Patriot Act, such as the one governing library searches, which provide too much discretion to the Attorney General. 
    7) Do you support the Department of Homeland Security's plans to replace the current visa control system (NSEERS)?
    The goals of the new entry/exit system are important - facilitating legitimate travel and trade, enhancing national security, and adhering to U.S. privacy laws and policies. We need to ensure that this program is implemented in a way that protects our privacy and does not harm trade or travel. Among other things, we must use more sophisticated screening technology to identify terrorists or other dangerous individuals before they cross our borders while still allowing legitimate travelers to enter our country. 
    8) Some estimates place the number of Indian American physicians at over 35,000. Given this fact, what are your views on addressing the severe medical malpractice insurance problem facing the industry? 
    The rising cost of malpractice insurance for doctors is getting in the way of good health care. Any solution must free doctors from crippling insurance costs -- without preventing the most badly injured victims from receiving the compensation they deserve. In my view, the record does not show that premium caps reduce premiums. States with premium caps average the same premiums as states without caps; insurance premiums seem most responsive to insurance companies' gains or losses on investment, not losses to victims. I do believe we need a solution to the malpractice problem. Here's what my plan would do. First, it will crack down on price gouging by the industry. Insurance companies can fix prices and divvy up the country in order to drive up their profits. Even when companies don't explicitly collude, they set their rates based on a trade- group loss calculation that they know other companies will follow. Second, it will take aggressive action against frivolous lawsuits that don't belong in court -- not against the serious lawsuits that bring help to the most badly injured. Lawyers who file three frivolous cases should be forbidden to bring another suit for the next 10 years. And finally, it will provide resources and incentives for state medical boards to improve their discipline against the handful of bad doctors, while also encouraging more voluntary reporting of medical errors. Finally, when premiums still cause shortages of medical care, the government must provide a temporary subsidy. We need to ensure good doctors can continue their essential work. 
    9) What are your views on the efficacy of Affirmative Action as it has been implemented? 
    We are a country founded on equality, and affirmative action still plays an critical role in ensuring equal opportunity for everyone. I filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of Michigan's admission policy in the recent Supreme Court case. The Court upheld the constitutionality of affirmative action, and recognized that schools have a compelling interest to promote racial diversity. Affirmative action is about expanding opportunities to everyone, and I support it.
    INDIAN AMERICAN CENTER FOR POLITICAL AWARENESS 1735 New York Ave. NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20006 (202) 628-3353 tel (202) 331-1024 fax www.iacfpa.org * iacfpa@iacfpa.org

9/26/03: Asian Pacific Islander American Leaders Endorse Edwards for President 
    Raleigh, NC: More than 20 high-profile Asian and Pacific Islander American leaders have endorsed Senator John Edwards (D-NC) for president, his campaign announced Friday. 
    Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up the one of the most diverse and fastest-growing segment of our population, Edwards said. Im honored to have the support of some of the most accomplished members of this vibrant community and of this nation. 
    Fred Korematsu, the man who challenged the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, threw his support behind Edwards. Born in Oakland, California, Korematsu was 22 when he was arrested for violating the Civilian Exclusion Order. Though the Supreme Court upheld his internment in 1944, Korematsu continued his fight. In 1983, a federal judge overturned Korematsus conviction and in 1988 Congress passed an act apologizing for the internment and granting $20,000 to each survivor. In 1998, Korematsu was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the countrys highest civilian award. 
    John Edwards vision for this nation is built on the idea of equal opportunity, regardless of wealth, race, national origin or language, Korematsu said. In addition to wanting to extend college education, health care and economic opportunity to all Americans, he is also deeply committed to civil rights. 
    Senator Edwards has proposed repealing parts of the USA Patriot Act that allow for indefinite detention of people deemed enemy combatants. 
    Earlier this year, Edwards criticized his fellow North Carolinian, Congressman Howard Coble, who said that Japanese-Americans were interned for their own safety. Someone who thinks it was okay for the United States to put innocent Americans behind barbed wire fences in 1942 should not make decisions about how to protect Americans in 2003," Edwards said. 
    Among those who endorsed Edwards are: 
Tessie Guillermo, former CEO of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum 
David Kim, California Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs commissioner and Korean American Coalition board member 
Dan Kuramoto, leader of the acclaimed jazz band, Hiroshima. 
Yvonne Lee, former US Civil Rights commissioner 
Ginger Lew, former deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration 
Dale Minami, president of the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans 
Rose Matsui Ochi, former assistant U.S. attorney general for Community Relations 
Jadine Nielsen, former deputy chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
Mona Pasquil, former deputy CEO for the 2000 Democratic National Convention 
Mark Pulido, ABC Unified School Board member 
Inbo Sim, vice president, National Korean American Service and Education Consortium 
Victor Sim, Korean American Coalition board member. Sumeer Singla, vice president of Kanoon South Asian Bar Association. 
Jill N. Tokuda, former executive director of the Hawaii Democratic Party 
Phil Ting, California Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs commissioner 
Ronald W. Wong, California Community College Board member 
    Also endorsing Edwards are Michael Bai, Vida Benavides, Charmette Bonpua, Lyle Canseco, Laura Efurd, Bill Hirose, May Lee, Elizabeth Martinez Baldick, Ray Ocampo, Chris Pak, Bill Wong, Charlie Woo, and Hoyt Zia.     
    Edwards has made reaching out to Asian and Pacific Islanders a priority of his campaign. He has appointed Deputy Political Director Courtni Sunjoo Pugh as his primary liaison to the community. Pugh previously served as National Director for Asian Pacific American outreach for the Democratic National Committee during the 2000 election; National Field Director for Rock the Vote in Los Angeles and Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis of Chicago, IL. Pugh is Korean American. 
    The term Asian Pacific Islander refers to any person having origins in the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands. 
    According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Asian Pacific Islanders make up between 3.6 to 4.2 percent of the U.S. total population. The census estimates that by 2050, one out of every 10 Americans will be of Asian or Pacific Islander descent.

9/24/03
SENATOR EDWARDS ENDORSES IMMIGRANT WORKER FREEDOM RIDE 
    Raleigh, NC: Senator John Edwards Wednesday endorsed the Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride. More than 1,000 people are traveling to Washington from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Chicago, Houston, Miami and Boston to raise awareness of the plight of undocumented immigrant workers. 
    The freedom riders will travel some 20,000 miles of U.S. highways and stop at more than 100 cities, towns and workplaces. The event is modeled after the 1961 Civil Rights freedom rides. 
    Edwards said the riders were continuing the Civil Rights movement. He pledged his support for the principles outlined by the movement including legalization, citizenship, labor rights, family reunification, and civil liberties. 
    "When I was young, my family moved to Robbins, a small rural North Carolina town, because my father, who has a high school education and worked in the mills, believed that by working hard that his kids would have the opportunity for a better life," Edwards said.  "Robbins is now half Hispanic, and these families came to Robbins for exactly the same reason my parents did. They have worked hard and have earned the opportunity to be American Citizens." 
    Edwards is running for president to make opportunity the birthright of all Americans. As president, Edwards would improve education for immigrants by putting good teachers in schools where they are needed most, increasing money for programs that help low-income students prepare for college, allowing states to charge immigrant students in-state tuition at public colleges and making the first year of college free to everyone who is willing to work part time or perform community service. 
    "We will make a commitment as a nation that every child in America, no matter where they live, what the color of their skin, or the income of their family, will get exactly the same education as the richest parent in America can afford for their children," Edwards said. 
    Edwards wants to address health disparities by establishing a national 24-hour medical translation hotline for rural and small hospitals, improving civil rights enforcement at the Department of Justice and increasing funding for health disparities research at the National Institutes of Health. 
    Edwards would reform the immigration system so there is a clear road map to legalization and citizenship for immigrants who work hard and follow the law. Having heard countless constituents waiting years to resolve immigration questions, Edwards has fought to resolve the backlog at the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to keep families from being separated. 
### 
--- Courtni Sunjoo Pugh 
Deputy Political Director 
John Edwards for President 
2300 Rexwoods Drive, Suite 300 
Raleigh, NC 27607 
919-788-7474