OCA - Orange County Chapter

ORANGE – To celebrate the Lunar New Year, residents can receive free tickets from the Metrolink station in Irvine to Chinatown in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 9.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is extending a special holiday greeting to the community by commemorating the “Year of the Rat” with a one-hour program starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Irvine Transportation Center, 15215 Barranca Parkway in Irvine.

“The year of the rat is said to bring opportunity and
good prospects,” said OCTA Chairman Chris Norby.  “This event is a great way to kick off a plentiful year and honor the Asian-American community for their contribution.”

Festivities will feature good wishes from local elected officials, traditional music, a performance by the Truong Son Vietnamese-American Girl Scout troop and food provided by Lee’s Sandwiches.  The finale will include a traditional lion dance accompanied by drums to welcome a new year of joy and good fortune for Metrolink passengers.  Residents may then hop on the 10:37 a.m. train to Los Angeles, where they can enjoy the Chinese New Year Festival and Car Show as well as the 109th annual Golden Dragon Parade.

The first 300 guests will receive free round-trip Metrolink tickets, courtesy of Jacobs Carter Burgess, to continue the celebration in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.

All Metrolink tickets are good for a free transfer on the Gold Line trains to Chinatown.  For train schedules and information, visit www.octa.net/myadventure.

See more in the following doc: lunar-new-year-1-29-08.doc

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHINESE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

SCHOLARSHIP/FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  February 15, 2008

The Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (”SCCLA”) annually awards seven to ten $1,000 Scholarships and three to four $2,000 Fellowships to local Asian/Pacific American law students.  The Scholarships and the Fellowships are awarded based on need, academic accomplishments, and potential contribution to the Chinese-American community.  Law students at all levels are encouraged to apply (including first, third year day and fourth year evening).

Each Fellowship award funds a clerkship at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (“APALC”) during the upcoming school year, during the fall, winter or spring term.  Receipt of Fellowship funds is conditioned upon serving as a clerk at APALC for a minimum of 15 hours per week for an entire semester.  If the awardee qualifies for the Work/Study Program, there may be an additional supplement to the $2,000 fellowship.

There is no clerkship condition for any of the Scholarships.

Completed applications are due on February 15, 2008.  Applications must be postmarked by February 15, 2008 to be eligible.  Applications will not be accepted by facsimile or by e-mail.  Please forward completed applications to:

Shirley Yauw
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
1145 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Fl.
Los Angeles, CA  90017

The Scholarships and the Fellowships will be awarded at the annual SCCLA Installation Dinner on March 28, 2008 at Empress Pavilion Restaurant in Chinatown, Los Angeles.  Award recipients must attend the March 28, 2008 dinner to receive the Scholarships and Fellowships.

Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Shirley Yauw at syauw@apalc.org or 213-977-7500, ext. 265.

New York, NY … The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), a 34-year old civil rights organization, today released a new report detailing several obstacles faced by Asian American voters in nine states in the November 2006 Midterm Elections.

AALDEF’s report, Asian American Access to Democracy in the 2006 Elections, documents violations of the Voting Rights Act and Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and other incidents of anti-Asian voter disenfranchisement in 25 cities in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Washington, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.   The report is available online at www.aaldef.org.

Margaret Fung, AALDEF executive director, said:  “As states prepare for the 2008 Presidential Elections, we urge election officials to remove the barriers that prevent Asian American citizens from exercising their right to vote.”

On Nov. 7, 2006, AALDEF monitored 172 poll sites in 9 states and conducted a multilingual exit poll of over 4,700 Asian American voters.  AALDEF received more than 200 complaints of voting barriers, which are described in the report.  They include:

* * Poll workers made improper or excessive demands for identification–often only from Asian American voters–and misapplied HAVA’s ID requirements. In Boston, an interpreter appointed by the Elections Department required all Chinese-speaking voters to show IDs before they could receive a translated ballot; none of the English-speaking voters were similarly asked for their IDs.
* * Poll workers hindered voter access to interpreters and translated voting materials required under the Voting Rights Act.  In New York, Chinese American voters were given Spanish-language ballots.
* * Asian American voters’ names were missing or incorrectly transcribed in voter lists at poll sites.  HAVA requires that these voters be offered provisional ballots, but poll workers denied voters this right.  In New Jersey, poll workers told Asian American voters to go to the Borough Clerk’s office.
* * Poll workers were unable to direct voters to their proper poll sites or precincts. In Philadelphia, one voter was driven to tears after being sent to several places and given no correct addresses.  In New York, a husband and wife were improperly sent to different lines at different election districts within the same poll site.

AALDEF sent complaint letters to local election officials that detailed these voting obstacles and offered recommendations for improvements.  AALDEF staff attorney Glenn D. Magpantay said, “Our findings demonstrate that vigorous enforcement of the Voting Rights Act is still needed.”  Copies of the report and complaint letters were sent to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Voting Section for further investigation.

On January 9, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two challenges to the constitutionality of voter identification requirements, Crawford v. Marion County Election Board and Indiana Democratic Party v. Rokita.  AALDEF submitted an amicus brief to the Court, citing results from its 2004 and 2006 election monitoring efforts. AALDEF’s brief contends that voter ID laws disenfranchise Asian Americans and prevent racial and language minorities from exercising their fundamental right to vote.

In the last Presidential Election, AALDEF polled nearly 11,000 Asian American voters in eight states about Election Day problems at the polls.  Plans for AALDEF’s 2008 multilingual exit poll and election monitoring project will be announced soon.

The following co-sponsors worked with AALDEF to mobilize almost 600 attorneys, law students, and community volunteers to participate in the 2006 election monitoring effort.

National Co-Sponsors
Asian Pacific Islander American Vote
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
National Korean American Service & Education Consortium
Organization of Chinese Americans
People For the American Way Foundation
South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Local Co-Sponsors:
Asian American Bar Association of New York
Asian American Bar Association of the Delaware Valley
Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts
Asian Bar Association of Washington
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, DC Area
Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey
Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center – DC
Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia
Chinatown Voter Education Alliance – NY
Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans of Virginia
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership – DC
Filipino American Human Services, Inc. – NY
Greater Boston Legal Services, Asian Outreach Unit
Korean American League for Civic Action – NY
Korean American Resource & Cultural Center – IL
Korean American Voters’ Council of NY & NJ
ONE Lowell – MA
Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
YKASEC–Empowering the Korean American Community – NY
The Sikh Coalition – NY
South Asian Youth Action! – NY
Vietnamese American Initiative for Development – MA
and Asian Pacific American Law Students Association chapters across the country.

*     *     *

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), founded in 1974, is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans.  By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.

rom: Wayne Osako [mailto:wosako@socal.rr.com]
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 5:11 PM
To: info@niseistamp.org
Subject: NISEI STAMP CAMPAIGN ALERT: CA State Resolution Show of Public Support Sought by Mon, Jan 14th

NISEI STAMP CAMPAIGN ALERT, JANUARY 11, 2008

-Supporters urged by CA State Rep. Mike Eng to fax written support for CA Resolution by Monday, January 14th at Noon

Next week, the California State Assembly will be considering the state resolution (”AJR 33″) to support the Japanese American (Nisei) World War II Veterans Commemorative Postage Stamp.  CA State Representative Mike Eng is spearheading this effort, and his office is making a call for supporters to fax letters of support as soon as possible by Monday morning, January 14th.  Contact Alberto Gonzalez in Rep. Eng’s office with questions (contact information below).  Ready-made forms are attached for your convenience.

See the details below if you wish to participate, especially if you live in California, or have family and friends in the state.  We apologize for the short timeframe, but the date for this hearing was only announced to us yesterday evening.

Thank you!

Wayne Osako
Campaign Coordinator/Chair

—–Original Message—–

From: Gonzalez, Alberto
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 4:13 PM
Subject: RE: URGENT! SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR AJR 33 and JAPANESE AMERICAN WORLD WAR II VETERANS!

Dear Friends,

Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 33 (Eng), which recognizes the contributions of Japanese American (Nisei) World War II veterans and encourages the approval of a commemorative stamp honoring Nisei veterans, will be heard in the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 9:00 AM in Room 444 of the State Capitol.

At this time, we need all of your support! Attached  you will find a sample letter of support for AJR 33, and as well as a support form that you can fill out and submit.

It is critical that these letters and forms of support go out AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The committee’s deadline to consider any letters of support is on Monday, January 14, 2008 before NOON!

Please fax all letters of support to the Arts Committee’s office at (916) 319-2772 as soon as possible..  Fax all support forms to Assemblymember Mike Eng’s office at (916) 319-2772 to the attention of Alberto Gonzalez.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES!!!
If you have any questions, please contact Alberto Gonzalez at (916) 319-2049 or alberto.gonzalez@asm.ca.gov.

Thank you for your support!

*********************************

Alberto A. Gonzalez, Jr.
Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellow, 2007-08
Office of Assemblymember Mike Eng (AD-49)
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a49/
Phone: (916) 319-2772
Fax:     (916) 319-2149
Cell:     (562) 569-8170
alberto.gonzalez@asm.ca.gov

*********************************

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” - M. Gandhi

Dear June:

Last Thursday, amidst reports of a projected $14 billion deficit, the Governor’s solution was to propose cuts across all departments and program areas, rather than responsibly finding ways to raise revenue. The billions of dollars in cuts negatively impact all aspects of Californians’ lives, ranging from necessities such as health care and education to recreation such as public beaches and parks. See more details on the extent of the negative impact (http://www.aacre.org/agenda/2008budgetagenda/?lk=7227409-7227409-0-30522-cwZlvcLDof-j9EQ68PQyrwLeNXTc/uBR). If you have a story to share about how these budget proposals will impact you or other community members, please let me know at vhuang@aacre.org.

In light of the fiscal crisis facing our state, advocacy among our community is as important as ever. Please join over 200 other community members at the Asian Pacific Islander Policy Summit in Sacramento on April 15-16 to advocate for the needs of our community. This year, we are also offering travel scholarships to assist community members in need. Apply today! The deadline is coming up soon on January 25. More information about the summit can be found on the API Legislative Caucus website (http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/apilegcaucus/policysummit.htm).

Sincerely,

Vivian Huang
AACRE Director of Legislative Advocacy

AACRE is a partnership of

CAA | Chinese for Affirmative Action
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
Asian Law Caucus

SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIPS 2008

Summer interns attend weekly brown bag lectures on a range of public interest legal topics along with interns from other legal defense funds and civil rights groups.  AALDEF also provides trainings in housing law, naturalization procedures, and immigration law.  The summer program is ten (10) weeks, beginning approximately June 9th through August 15th.  The position is unpaid.  However, in previous years many AALDEF interns have been successful at securing independent funding and work-study funds may also be available.  Academic credit can be arranged.

Voting Rights Intern: Responsibilities include coordinating voter registration drives, researching the Voting Rights Act, anti-Asian voter discrimination, bilingual ballots, and Asian American political opinion; advocating on state and local election reform proposals; developing reports and organizing forums on the Asian American vote.  Students from schools in MI, MA, PA, VA, DC, MD, HI, who are also willing to help in coordinating Asian American Election Protection efforts in Nov. 2008 after they go back to school are especially encouraged to apply.

NJ Asian American Legal Project Intern:  Responsibilities include conducting community outreach and presentations with Asian immigrant workers and community members in New Jersey ; performing client intake and legal interpretation, and; coordinating client referrals.  Bilingual ability in Gujarati, Hindi, or Korean is highly preferred.

Youth Rights and Educational Equity Intern: Responsibilities include community outreach and presentations with Asian American youth groups, public education policy research, assistance with client intakes and general support for projects on educational equity, juvenile justice, affirmative action, and post 9-11 hate violence and racial targeting.

Office Assistant:  Responsibilities include data entry, organizing press clippings, answering phones, doing mailings, assisting with fundraising and other events, and performing general clerical duties.  Other responsibilities include providing support for community education and outreach projects and acting as an interpreter/translator.  Computer experience with databases, graphics and web programs are helpful.  Bilingual ability in an Asian language is desirable but not required.

Requirements:   Candidates must be detail-oriented and possess strong writing skills.  Spoken and written knowledge of Korean, Bangla, Chinese, or another Asian language is a plus.

Qualified applicants should indicate which internship they are applying for and send a resume and cover letter by Friday, February 15 to:

Summer Undergraduate Intern Search
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York , New York 10013
fax: 212.966.4303 or email: info@aaldef.org

For more information, contact Jennifer Weng at 212-966-5932, ext. 212 or jweng@aaldef.org

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), founded in 1974, is the first organization on the East Coast to protect and promote the legal rights of Asian Americans through litigation, legal advocacy and community education. For more information about AALDEF, please visit our website at www.aaldef.org.

2008 SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Internships for the summer of 2008 are available in the following program areas:
Anti-Trafficking Initiative, legal research on the Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA), as well as outreach, community education, and advocacy on the rights of women and youth trafficking survivors.
Community Health Care Initiative, legal research, as well as community education and outreach in the areas of immigration, government benefits, language rights, and health care access;
Economic Justice for Workers, litigation on behalf of garment, restaurant, and other low wage workers;
Educational Equity and Youth Rights, legal services, policy work, community education, research and litigation concerning educational equity, juvenile justice, affirmative action and post 9-11 hate violence and racial targeting;
Immigrant Access to Justice, litigation, legal services, and organizing/outreach with communities impacted by 9-11, including special interest detainees, special registration, voluntary interviews by the government, the 9-11 absconder initiative, and local and state enforcement of immigration laws;
New Jersey Asian American Legal Project, community outreach, education, and legal services to Asian Americans in New Jersey, as well as community organizing and litigation on employment-related claims for Asian immigrant workers in New Jersey.
South Asian Workers Project, direct legal services on employment-related claims to South Asian immigrant workers, as well as community education and advocacy; and
Voting Rights, legal research and fact development under the Voting Rights Act and Equal Protection challenging anti-Asian voter discrimination, advocacy on bilingual ballots, and state and local election reform; produce reports and organize public forums.

Description of Summer Internship Program:
The summer program is ten weeks, from approximately June 9th through August 15th. Interns work full time and are supervised by attorneys in specific program areas. Interns will work on litigation, particularly legal research and writing, legal and policy advocacy, community outreach and education, and client intakes. Each program area differs in emphasis. Summer interns attend weekly brown bag lectures on a range of public interest legal topics along with interns from other legal defense funds and civil rights groups. AALDEF also provides trainings in housing law, naturalization procedures, and immigration law. The position is unpaid. However, in previous years many AALDEF interns have been successful at securing independent funding and work-study funds may also be available. Academic credit can be arranged.

To Apply:

· Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to be received by AALDEF on or before Friday, February 1, 2008 at the address below. Please indicate the top three program areas on which you would be interested in focusing. Fax or email applications are acceptable.
· Any bilingual ability should be stated in the application. Bilingual ability is helpful but not required. Gujarati, Hindi, Khmer, Korean, and Urdu-speaking applicants are especially urged to apply.
· Applications will be reviewed upon receipt until the February 1, 2008 deadline. Interviewing will take place in February, however, some interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis prior to that time.

Summer Internship Search (Legal)
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
99 Hudson Street, 12th floor
New York , New York 10013-2815
Fax: 212-966-4303 Email: info@aaldef.org

For more information, contact:
Jennifer Weng at 212-966-5932 x212 or jweng@aaldef.org
Ivy Suriyopas at 212-966-5932 x235 or isuriyopas@aaldef.org
*Please do not email applications to jweng@aaldef.org or isuriyopas@aaldef.org.

TAP Annual Lunar New Year Banquet
Date: February 2, 6:00PM
Location: Mission 261
261 S. Mission Dr.
San Gabriel, CA
RSVP: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/KWURGLOOZNHJGFIPQXMB/lunarbanquet2.2

Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Fa Chai! Kicking off the New Year of the Rat, TAP welcomes you to join us for our 2008 Annual Lunar New Year Banquet at Mission 261.

Come hang out with TAP and meet new friends!

Mission 261 is a contemporary restaurant for fine dining. The chefs at Mission 261 serve the highest quality of Chinese delicacies and authentic traditional seafood.

Includes:
-10 course asian style banquet meal
-sodas and wine included
-full night of games, dancing, and Prizes!!

Price:
Before 1/27th
$45 for members
$55 for non-members

After 1/27th
$50 for members
$60 for non members.

Arrange payment with any cabinet member, or pay via link:
Go here to make payment: http://taplunarbanquet.eventbrite.com/

Formal/Semi formal attire. You can bring out your holiday party dresses and suits one more time this season!

Don’t miss out on the fun. Hope to see you all soon! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact TAP’s Social Projects Chair, Pai at Pai.Hung@tacl.org or (213)216-9586.

Go here for more info: http://tap.tacl.org/upcoming.htm#feb2200

TAP Speed Networking and Dinner
Date: January 26, 4:30PM
Location: The Dream Lounge
RSVP: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/QRKXPBCLBJPVWMBFIXFD/networking1.26

Come join your fellow TAP members and friends for an entertaining and structured opportunity to broaden your network base. We are hosting TAP’s NETWORKING event on Saturday 1/26/08. Event proceeds will go to support our youth: the ITASA Conferences and TACL programs ( i.e. internships, leadership camps, etc).

The event will be structured with an organized rotation where participants engage in 3 minute multiple mini-meetings. However, instead of 1-on-1 conversations, participants will have up to 20 “2-on-2″ conversations with other young professionals. Make sure you bring your business cards!

Afterwards, take a short 4 minute drive down the street and join us for dinner at Westcoast Seafood Buffet. Dinner has limited seating, so go here:  http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/QRKXPBCLBJPVWMBFIXFD/dinnergroup1.26 to RSVP for dinner (separate evite for accurate head count).

Schedule:
4:30 - 5:00PM: Check-In and Mixing
5:00 - 7:00PM: Speed Networking and Mixing
7:00PM: Dinner at West Coast Buffet

Space is limited. Come on time to ensure a spot.
Click here to Pre-pay and secure your seat: http://tapspeednetworking.eventbrite.com/

COST:
Members: $15
Non-members: $20

If you have any questions, contact Pai Hung, Social Projects Chair at Pai.Hung@tacl.org or Ben.Ling@tacl.org, TAP President.

Go here for more info: http://tap.tacl.org/upcoming.htm#jan26a2008

State Senator Lou Correa

Encourages College Graduates to Apply for the California Senate Fellows

Sponsored by

The California State Senate And Center for California Studies at Sacramento State University

Serving as a Fellow provides the opportunity to:

·    Be assigned to the personal or committee staff of a Senator

·    Earn 12 units of graduate credit from the Sacramento State Government Department

·   Receive a monthly stipend of $1972 plus health and dental benefits

For Applications, visit: www.sen.ca.gov/correa

Application Deadline is February 27, 2008

My-Dung Tran
District Representative
State Senator Lou Correa, 34th District
2323 N. Broadway, Suite 245
Santa Ana, CA 92706
714.558.4400
714.558.4111 fax
mydung.tran@sen.ca.gov
www.sen.ca.gov/correa