Haesung Yang's corner
| Obama's presidential order on AAPI Initiative signed |
On October 15, Obama signed an executive order to reestablish “the White House Advisory Commission and initiative” on
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in order to improve their quality of life and to encourage their participation in federal
programs.
In the executive order, Obama pointed out not only “the many contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to our
nation” but also the struggles that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders experience such as lower college-enrollment rates, high
poverty rates and lack of health insurance faced by AAPI subgroups.
The order will continue for two years in order to conduct “relevant evidence-based research, data collection, and analysis for
AAPI populations and subpopulations.”
In 1999 and 2004, presidential initiatives on AAPI were lunched under Clinton Administration and Bush Administration.
However, they were mainly focused on issues related to business development. Obama’s order is believed to cover the full range
of AAPI issues including health, human services, transportation, housing, community development as the members of the
initiatives will be selected from all the executive branch departments.
The Presidential order is meaningful in terms of recognition of AAPI’s struggles and lack of federal programs for AAPI.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in order to improve their quality of life and to encourage their participation in federal
programs.
In the executive order, Obama pointed out not only “the many contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to our
nation” but also the struggles that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders experience such as lower college-enrollment rates, high
poverty rates and lack of health insurance faced by AAPI subgroups.
The order will continue for two years in order to conduct “relevant evidence-based research, data collection, and analysis for
AAPI populations and subpopulations.”
In 1999 and 2004, presidential initiatives on AAPI were lunched under Clinton Administration and Bush Administration.
However, they were mainly focused on issues related to business development. Obama’s order is believed to cover the full range
of AAPI issues including health, human services, transportation, housing, community development as the members of the
initiatives will be selected from all the executive branch departments.
The Presidential order is meaningful in terms of recognition of AAPI’s struggles and lack of federal programs for AAPI.
Haesung Yang is a UW-Madison senior and Asian Wiz intern this fall.