(Sacramento, CA) – The Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Caucus of the California State Legislature celebrated the accomplishments of 5 distinguished individuals today in a ceremony at the State Capitol observing the month of May as API Heritage Month.
“Our honorees have made incredible contributions to our state,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Vice Chair of the API Caucus. “Despite having endured unjust working conditions and discrimination, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have demonstrated incredible leadership in every endeavor. Today was a wonderful opportunity to recognize the history and accomplishments of our diverse community.”
The 2015 honorees include the following.
- Larry Itliong was honored posthumously today for his contributions to civil rights. He famously organized a strike of 1,500 Filipino farmworkers in Delano, California that lasted eight days. He later worked with Cesar Chaves to help form the United Farmworkers of America.
- Charles Phan, of San Francisco, was honored for excellence in culinary arts. He is the award winning Executive Chef and owner of The Slanted Door and six other restaurants.
- K.W. Lee was honored for excellence in journalism. He became the first Asian immigrant hired by a mainstream daily American newspaper. Referred to as the Dean of Asian American journalism for his pioneering accomplishments, some of his work was recently donated to the archive at the University of California at Davis.
- Henry T. Yang was honored for excellence in education. An aerospace and structural engineer by training, he serves as the fifth Chancellor at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
- Erica Yew was honored for excellence in law. She is the first Asian-American female to serve on the Santa Clara County Superior Court. She also serves as Chair of the Commission on Judicial Performance.
The State Assembly commemorated today’s actions in the State Capitol in passing Assembly Concurrent Resolution 61, which recognizes May as API Heritage Month.
Created in 2001, the API Caucus advocates for the interests of the diverse API communities throughout California. For further information, please visit http://apicaucus.legislature.ca.gov
CONTACT: Anthony Matthews (Ting), tel. (916) 319-2019