2008 Gala

Oh, What an APAICS Night!

14th Annual Gala Photo Gallery

In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) had a spectacular evening on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. There was something for everyone at their 14th Annual Gala Dinner black-tie affair at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C.

Starting off the fun-filled evening were the co-hosts of the event, Yul Kwon, winner of CBS’s reality show “Survivor: Cook Islands,” and finalist Rebekah S. Lee, Founder and Executive Director, Becky’s Fund.   The light banter between them throughout the evening added to the jovial atmosphere and put the audience in a light-hearted mood.  At one point, Kwon stated that he was glad he did not embarrass himself “on national television and replace William Hung as the icon of American geekiness.” 

After the welcoming speech by immediate APAICS Past Chairman Clayton S. Fong, Congressman Michael M. Honda (D-CA) greeted the audience and spoke about his role and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which he chairs.  There were a number of congressional staffers who attended the event and are members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association (CAPASA), including Victoria Tung, CAPASA Vice President. 

“Building Today for Tomorrow” was the appropriate theme for many of the people who were in attendance.  Professionals from many careers were criss-crossing the room to network.

Also in attendance were Congressman and Mrs. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Congressman and Mrs. David Wu (D-OR),  Congressman Ed Pastor (D-AZ), Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), former members of Congress Charlie Wilson and Nancy Johnson, and Executive White House Chef Crista Comerford.  Local officials included Assistant Secretary for Business and Economic Development and Senior Technology Advisor for the State of Maryland Ben Wu, Director of the D.C. Mayor’s Office on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs Julie Koo, Special Counsel to the Acting Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice Ollie Cantos VII, and Matthew Shiraki with the Department of HHS.

Before dinner was served, to play on how cast members on “Survivor” must “catch” or find their own meal, Kwon pretended to sniff the air, said that he could smell the food and would “arm-wrestle” her for it.  With a mischievous look in her eyes, Lee said that they were “not” on “Survivor.”  Kwon then apologized for still being competitive.  Lee then pushed Kwon aside and returned to her seat smiling while dinner was being served. 

After dinner, the first presentation of two APAICS’ Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI).  The award was presented to him by the widow of Congressman Frank  Horton, who is credited as the primary sponsor for the legislation to establish Asian/Pacific American Heritage Day/Week/Month, Nancy Horton-Lang.  Mrs. Horton-Lang was very emotional when she spoke about her late husband’s friendship with the Akakas and how proud Congressman Horton felt when he put forth the legislation to honor the people of a culture he deeply respected.  She also cited the Senator’s many contributions before presenting him the award.  Senator Akaka was deeply touched and surprised to have Mrs. Horton-Lang shared this special  historical moment with him this evening.  He also mentioned the important work that APAICS does in promoting summer interns, fellowships, Leadership Academy and other programs that build character and moral fortitude to carve a place in today’s society.  “It is important for us to do this.”

Patricia F. Saiki, former member of Congress and U.S. Small Business Administrator, received the second APAICS’ Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to her by Clayton S. Fong. Fong credited her with moving 25 bills on women’s rights into law when she was a representative and the 2008 package of legislative bills  the Hawaii State Legislature felt appropriate for this legislative session had been dedicated to Patricia Saiki.  Fong also surprised her with a recently passed resolution from the legislature recognizing the honor being bestowed her this evening.  In her response, Saiki credited her husband and family for allowing her to have the time to seek her career.  She had her own cheering section this evening, including her son, Stewart, who she asked in a motherly tone to stand up and be recognized.  She credited her former staffers and friends for sharing her illustrious careers and helping her to remain positive.

The coveted APAICS’ Distinguished Community Leadership Achievement Award was presented by David Lin, AT&T Director of Constituency Relations to Stewart Kwoh, President and Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center.  Lin spoke about Stewart’s “tireless efforts in proactively fostering cross-ethnic relations with MALDEF and the Urban League in Los Angeles.”  He also said that Kwoh gives back to his community either in areas such as affordable housing for low-income services and families or legal work. Kwoh has a very deep passion for the law so much so that in his accepting the award cited a sweatshop issue in Los Angeles, a case where “Asians had been working for seven years under deplorable conditions.”  He was advised not to take the case because of the long hours, language barrier, and no pay. Kwoh did it anyway.  His hard work paid off when Kwoh saw legislation enacted into law that made it illegal to work under degrading conditions.

Before introducing the entertainment, Lee congratulated Kwon on his recent engagement, his charity work in the APA community regarding bone marrow donors,  politically empowering youth, speaking at the FBI Academy, raising the level of visible APAs in media through his work on CNN and the Discovery Channel, and starting his Red Mango frozen yogurt franchise.
Kwon expressed admiration that Lee used all her “Survivor” finalist money to start a nonprofit to help victims of domestic violence in the APA community.  Any one who is interested may contact her at www.beckysfund.org.

Wrapping up the festivities for the night was the legendary jazz ensemble Hiroshima sponsored by Comcast with transportation provided by Southwest Airlines.  Describing Hiroshima’s style of jazz is a pleasant sound with a hint of Asian fusion like “Red Beans and Rice” from their Little Tokyo album.  Every once in a while you could hear distinctive notes coming from instruments that were being soothingly strummed or tickled to “speak” to the audience in those groovy, laid back sounds to romance you into a musical love affair.  Hiroshima’s leader is Dan Kuramoto, who is the tenor and soprano, on saxophone, flute, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion, shakuhachi; June Kuramoto on the koto; James Comwell on piano, synthesizer, Rhodes, clavinet; Shoji Kameda on taiko, percussion, and voice; Dean Cortez on bass; and Danny Yamamoto on drums.

Kim Delevett, Manager, Corporate Community Affairs at Southwest Airlines, drew the winning raffle for two round-trip unrestricted tickets.  The winner had to be present.  Bostonian Gloria Mak, former 2007 APAICS Summer Intern, who came to Washington just to volunteer for the Gala, was the winner.

When asked to describe the evening, as one APAICS’ Fellow Gene Kim was heard to say, “It was an awesome night!”