OCA – Orange County Chapter

OCA Pleased With Nomination of Goodwin H. Liu to the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

24 February 2010 CONTACT Mary Kong | Program Assistant 202 223 5500 | mkong@ocanational.org

WASHINGTON – President Obama nominated University of California Berkeley School of Law Associate Dean and Professor Goodwin H. Liu to serve on the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit today.

Professor Liu is a nationally recognized scholar in the areas of education and constitutional law. Before joining UC Berkeley School of Law, Professor Liu was a litigator in private practice. Prior, he was a law clerk to the Honorable David S. Tatel on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the United States Supreme Court, and was Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education. He is committed to community service, and his work has been recognized through several awards, including the Pacific Islander, Asian, and Native American Law Students Association Alumni Award (Yale Law School); Asian American Alumni Award (Stanford University); and the Stanford Associates Governors’ Award for Exemplary Volunteer Service.

Professor Liu was born to Taiwanese immigrant parents in Augusta, Georgia.  He grew up in Clewiston, Florida and Sacramento, California. A distinguished graduate of Stanford, Oxford, and Yale Law School, Professor Liu was also a Rhodes Scholar, and is a member of the American Law Institute.

“Professor Liu’s nomination is a positive step to address the glaring absence of Asian Pacific Americans on the appellate level,” said George C. Wu, Executive Director of OCA. “As former law clerk to the Supreme Court and recognized scholar on constitutional law, Professor Liu will bring unsurpassed intellect and fairness to the Ninth Circuit.”

Professor Liu’s appointment to the Ninth Circuit is particularly significant for the Asian Pacific American community. Of the approximately 175 active federal appellate court judges, there are currently none who are Asian Pacific American. If confirmed, he will only be the fifth Asian Pacific American federal appellate court judge in the history of the United States. Along with Denny Chin, nominee to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, he is the second Asian Pacific American nominated to the federal court of appeals by the President.

OCA congratulates Professor Liu on his historic nomination, and thanks President Obama for nominating him.  OCA also commends Senators Feinstein and Boxer for their support of Professor Liu’s nomination.

FAMILY PROGRAM: The Year of the Tiger: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac

Young children and families will be entertained by Oliver Chin, author, as he reads his most recent book, telling the story of Teddy the Tiger and a young girl named Su who become fast friends despite the fact that the tigers and the humans do not get along.

Date: February 21 (Sunday)

Time: 11:00 am

Location: Bower’s Museum (Norma Kershaw Adutorium)

Cost: Free with Museum Admission; $8 for event only.

Your story could be funny or inspirational or touching. It could be about your grandmother or your education or your favorite food. It could be your immigration story, your family’s unique approach to holidays, your job. As long as it’s real and as long as it’s uniquely you.  As an example, we currently have a story of a Korean kid who was adopted into an Italian family in Pennsylvania. He grew up 100% culturally Italian while looking very Korean to his peers. He won the outstanding Italian American scholarship for college and accepted the award in front of a room full of confused old Italians. Hilarity ensues and lessons are learned.

We also have a story of a grandfather who came to America from China. He couldn’t read the menu at McDonalds but was hungry as hell. All he could read were the words “Happy” and “Meal” so that’s what he ordered. He still cherishes the toy he received on that day.

We want a wide range of stories about how being Asian in America has shaped you in some way. We can also explore issues such as Asian fetishes and why Asians seemingly love break dancing and rap (I’m learning a lot about that one). And it would be great to hear from some folks who left a lot behind to come here and do not regret their decisions one bit. But most of all we want to show strength and color from all ages, demographics and backgrounds.

Email asianheritageproject@gmail.com with your story and a little  about your background and we will be in touch.

And if you’re camera shy (or if this isn’t relevant to you) but know  someone who is amazing, who is a great storyteller (maybe it’s your  uncle, maybe it’s your best friend growing up), let them know.  Spread  the word.

I am looking for all Asian nationalities (East Asia, South Asia and  Southeast Asia). Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Pakistani,  Filipino, Vietnamese, Laotian, Hmong, Sri Lankan, Thai, Malaysian,  Cambodian, etc. etc. (the list is endless).

I am also looking for Bi-Racial folks, Adoptees, Transplants (Asian  Americans from non-Asian countries – Brazil, Argentina, UK etc), Gay and Lesbian, 1st Generation, 2nd Generation, 3rd Generation, etc.

Religious or non-religious (Buddhist, Christian, Catholic, Shinto,  Muslim, Hindu, Jain, Judaism, and others)

Individuals who embrace or question their “Asian Heritage/Identity”

Jon Yi // director + cinematographer
www.hellacine.com // www.jonathanyi.com