The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
proudly celebrates 30 years of promoting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office.
We remain committed as ever to building the pipeline for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander political leaders, and it’s been a remarkable journey so far.
Scroll down and join us in exploring the history we’ve made together!
1994
On May 16, 1994, APAICS, then the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Institute (CAPACI), is founded alongside the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) by then Congressman Norman Y. Mineta and Delegate Robert Underwood.
1995
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Institute is rebranded as the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) and hosts its first Gala featuring keynote speaker President Bill Clinton.
1996
Rep. Patsy Mink elected CAPAC Chair.
Francey Lim Youngberg is appointed Founding Executive Director of APAICS.
1997
Scott Nishimoto selected as the inaugural Congressman Frank Horton Fellow - the first Congressional Fellowship offered by APAICS. Congressman Horton played a leading role in the enactment into law of H.R. 5572, which permanently designated the month of May as "Asian Pacific American Heritage Month."
1999
The APAICS National Leadership Academy is established. The program brings AA & NH/PI candidates and elected officials together for networking and interactive training on how to succeed in their campaigns.
APAICS Co-founder Delegate Robert Underwood elected CAPAC Chair.
Julianna Lee selected as the inaugural Senator Daniel K. Inouye Fellow. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a decorated combat veteran of World War II who has served our nation with distinction in the United States House of Representatives and Senate for nearly 40 years.
2000
Rodney Salinas becomes President and CEO.
APAICS Founder Norman Y. Mineta becomes the first AA & NH/PI person appointed to the U.S. Cabinet as Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton.
2001
Daphne Kwok becomes President and CEO.
Inaugural Leadership Academy for Asian Pacific American Elected Officials. In partnership with the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, "rising stars" among our elected officials are provided with the skills they need to become more effective leaders and to run successful campaigns for higher office.
President George W. Bush appoints APAICS Founder Norman Y. Mineta as Secretary of Transportation and Elaine Chao as Secretary of Labor. Elaine Chao becomes the first Asian American woman to serve in a Presidential cabinet.
2002
APAICS Congressional Fellowship Program launches. The program places Fellows in congressional offices or committees on Capitol Hill, where they are able to participate in the policymaking process and begin their careers in public service.
Rep. David Wu elected as CAPAC Chair.
Inaugural Asian Pacific American Forum. This annual one-day conference on current politics issues impacting the APA community.
APAICS’ first Fellow, Scott Nishimoto, is elected to the Hawaii State Legislature.
2004
APAICS has its 10th Annual Gala Dinner titled "A Decade of Firsts," honoring the Hon. Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary of Transportation; the Hon. Elaine Chao, Secretary of Labor; and Governor Gary Locke of Washington state.
2005
Rep. Mike Honda elected CAPAC Chair.
2006
William “Mo” Marumoto becomes President and CEO.
2009
APAICS holds its 15th Anniversary Gala. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke is the keynote speaker. Martha Choe is awarded the Community Leadership Award and William “Mo” Marumoto is awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ruby Moy becomes Interim President and CEO.
2011
Gloria Chan becomes President and CEO.
Rep. Judy Chu elected CAPAC Chair.
2012
The APAICS Regional Leadership Academy (RLA) is established. Regional Leadership Academies are two-day training sessions held across the country for current elected officials, individuals seeking to run for public office, and community stakeholders.
President Obama is the keynote speaker at the 18th APAICS Annual Award Gala, titled “Milestones: Journeying Forward.”
2013
Floyd Mori becomes President and CEO.
2014
APAICS has its 20th Anniversary Gala. Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. of the U.S. Navy awarded Lifetime Achievement Award; CAPAC Chair Judy Chu awarded Pioneer Award.
1st Annual Military Leadership Luncheon. The Military Leadership Luncheon promotes both active and veteran AA & NH/PI leaders and celebrates representation throughout our troops.
2018
Madalene Mielke becomes APAICS President and CEO.
APAICS releases its first Annual Report, outlining the APAICS mission, programs, events, and growth throughout the year.
The APAICS Inaugural Policy Summit is held in September 2018, a precursor to the APAICS Legislative Leadership Summit.
2019
APAICS holds its 25th Anniversary Gala, titled “Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future.”
The Women’s Collective is created by Madalene Mielke, aiming to highlight the importance of intersectionality and representation in public service, and empower AA & NH/PI women to lead and engage in politics.
The first APAICS Women’s Collective Summit is held in Washington, D.C. The two-day summit brings together women from across the country to engage in meaningful discussions, network, and lead the charge for a more representative democracy.
The first APAICS Legislative Leadership Summit, rebranded from the Policy Summit, takes place in Washington, D.C. The Summit aims to bring together nonprofit and corporate leaders, subject matter experts, as well as local, state, and federal elected officials together to discuss important current issues that affect the Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander community and the nation at large.
Welcoming new and returning Members of Congress, APAICS launches its Ceremonial Congressional Swearing In event in partnership with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
2020
COVID-19 Pandemic. The Asian American community sees a rise in anti-Asian hate in the United States.
APAICS pivots to virtual programming to accommodate social distancing. Through programs such as APAICS in Conversation and CAPAC in Conversation, which featured virtual conversations with AA & NH/PI leaders and elected officials.
In lieu of the Annual Award Gala, APAICS hosted a free and widely attended virtual event, titled “CELEBRATION.” George Takei is awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award and APIAVote is awarded the Civic Engagement Award.
The global pandemic and social distancing does not prevent APAICS and the AA & NH/PI community from supporting each other during times of uncertainty and a sharp rise in anti-Asian hate.
APAICS found ways to stay connected to our community virtually through social media, remote programs like APAICS in Conversation, and even a virtual celebration event in lieu of the Annual Awards Gala.
The Youth Leadership Academy launches, taking place in a virtual format. The program seeks to bring together high school students from across the country and invites them to learn more about government and public service, policies that directly affect AA & NH/PI communities, and political efficacy.
APAICS partners with the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) to jointly organize the Kakehashi Project, which aims to promote a people-to-people exchange between the United States and Japan. The inaugural Kakehashi Project cohort is virtual.
2021
Creation of Racial Equity Fellowship in response to Atlanta Spa Shootings. The nine-month program places Fellows in Congressional Offices where they will research and analyze community-based recommendations along with key public policy initiatives that affect structural racism, economic opportunity, and health equity.
After the devastating Atlanta Spa Shootings in March of 2021 that claimed the lives of 8 people, including 6 Asian American women, APAICS creates the Racial Equity Fellows. The Racial Equity Fellowship is designed for Fellows to conduct research on key public policy initiatives involving structural racism, economic opportunity, and health equity.
APAICS launches its Legislative Summits series, which includes Health, Tech, and Energy Summits. The Legislative Summits bring together subject matter experts, nonprofit and corporate leaders, community partners to discuss issues that directly affect the AA & NH/PI community and nation at large.
APAICS begins to offer its interns free housing, making participating in APAICS internships more accessible to a wide range of participants from various backgrounds.
2022
The 2022 APAICS Fellowship Cohort becomes the largest cohort in APAICS history, with 20 Fellows placed on the Hill.
APAICS Co-Founder Norman Y. Mineta passes at age 90.
The Annual APAICS Gala returns to an in-person format for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Tickets are sold out. Vice President Kamala Harris is the keynote speaker. Steve Aoki, famed American DJ, is awarded the inaugural Icon Award.
2022 marks the start of a long-awaited return to in-person programming. To the surprise of no one, the 2022 Annual Award Gala, the first in-person Gala since the pandemic, sells out. Fundraising efforts result in a record $4M, doubling our revenue.
Following the trend of the return Community Conversations opened up dialogue between elected officials and community members. These forums highlighted issues such as the rise in anti-Asian hate across the country since the pandemic and as well as encouraged candid conversations about the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.
2023
APAICS holds its 29th Anniversary Gala with the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as the keynote speaker.
The Kakehashi Project hosts its first in-person trip to Japan.
Another banner year for APAICS! We hosted 37 Congressional and Office interns—the largest number of interns in our history. We moved into our new offices with our largest contingency of staff to deliver high level programs to move our community forward. At Gala, we welcomed Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, as our keynote speaker.
2024
Celebrating 30 years of APAICS.
This year, APAICS celebrates 30 years of AA & NH/PI leadership, invaluable programming, and working tirelessly towards a more representative democracy. On this anniversary, we are proud to look back on our history and see how far we’ve come. Since its creation, APAICS and its community has been steadily building the political pipeline of leaders of AA & NH/PI leaders of now and the future. From our ever-growing internship and fellowship programs, to our National and Regional Leadership Academies, to our Women’s Collective and our Youth Leadership Academy, we are more dedicated than ever to the APAICS mission.
We recognize and celebrate Our Leaders. Our Community. Our Legacy.
