San Diego, CA – A number of Asian American organizations, writing on behalf of the nation’s 15 million Asian Americans, and more than 2 million Asian American businesses, congratulated President Obama on selecting distinguished Asian Americans to his Cabinet and urging him to make the dream of inclusion they represent a reality for all Asian Americans (letter enclosed).

The specific requests contained in the letter are:

• An executive order within 100 days requiring the federal government to gather data on the number of Asian Americans in sub-Cabinet and managerial positions throughout the federal government with the objective of tripling the number from less than 1% to closer to the 5% that Asian Americans represent of the American population;
• Require all large businesses doing substantial businesses with the government to provide data on their board of directors and management as it relates to Asian Americans with an objective of moving. For example, Fortune 500 corporations having at least one Asian American on their board if they do business within benefit for their work with the government;
• That it is part of the executive order that the government be required to provide comprehensive data on the dollar amount of the contracts awarded to Asian American owned businesses; it is precedently estimated that less than 1% are awarded to Asian American owned businesses;
• That the executive order require all corporations that do substantial business with the government to provide similar data on the dollar value of contracts they award to Asian American owned businesses (estimated less than 1% of Fortune 500 contracts are awarded to Asian American businesses);
• President Obama seeks legislation to create by 2010, an independent cabinet level agency to promote, advance and welcome all new immigrants and;
• Ensure by executive order or otherwise, that all the corporate participants in the $700 billion top bailout and the $800 billion economic stimulus plan be required to provide similar data on employment and business opportunities.

Many of the groups supporting these proposals will be in Washington, DC by early March to meet with Obama officials and congressional leaders to advance the executive orders and legislative action essential to Asian Americans’ future full participation and prosperity in the economy.

“The Asian American community has made many unrecognized and unappreciated contributions to the stability and prosperity of the greatest nation in the world, but far too often, we are ignored or excluded. These recommended executive orders and congressional action will enhance both America’s prosperity and that of our nation’s 15 million Asian Americans,” Greg Macabenta, National Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.

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