(Washington, DC) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, formally installed thirteen new members of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders this morning. The Commission is authorized by Executive Order 13216 and serves to advise the President on efforts to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) through greater access to federal programs and services.

"As the leader in this federal-wide effort, the Department of Health and Human Services will maintain our commitment to improving the quality of research and data collection, increasing the availability of translation and interpretation services, providing technical assistance to community-based organizations, and continuing support for public health education."
Also in attendance were Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, Senator Daniel K. Akaka of Hawai'i, and Congressman David Wu of Oregon. Secretary Mineta, who served as the original Chair of the Commission, addressed the new Commissioners, saying, "We are a nation that seeks to bring out the best in all our citizens, and the key to doing that is to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate… ladies and gentlemen, the task ahead of you is prodigious and the stakes are high."

Dr. John B. Tsu of California will serve as the Chair of the Commission. "As a community, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have much to contribute to this nation, but in order for us to do that, we must have the necessary resources and opportunities to achieve our goals - whether they are for our families, for our businesses, or for our communities." Dr. Tsu added, "We are fortunate that the Commission which preceded us did much work to advance the available data and research on our communities. And it is our goal to continue moving forward."
The work of the Commission is coordinated by the Office of the White House Initiative on AAPIs, which is housed in the Department of Health and Human Services, under the Health Resources and Services Administration.

The following individuals were sworn-in as members of the Commission:

Dr. John B. Tsu, of Milbrae, California, is the Chair of the Commission. Dr. Tsu is a life-long educator who is currently a Regent for John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, California. He has been a professor of Political Science, Asian Studies, and Multicultural Education at Seton Hall University, the University of San Francisco, and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he was a visiting scholar. In 1988, he joined the John F. Kennedy University, where he established and directed the school's Asian Pacific Institute. In the 1950s, he was a leading advocate for the teaching of Asian languages in public schools, and he has been a pioneer of increasing Asian participation in mainstream American politics at the national, state, and local levels. In 1989, President George H. Bush appointed Dr. Tsu as Co-chair of his Presidential Personnel Advisory Committee. In this capacity, Dr. Tsu recommended more than 150 Asian Americans for positions in the Bush-Quayle administration. Born in the Jilin Province of China, Dr. Tsu was educated in Japan and received his LL.B. degree from Tokyo University. He came to the United States in 1950 to pursue graduate studies and received an M.A. degree from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. from Fordham University.

Dr. Lupo T. Carlota, of Lakeland, Tennessee, is the President and Founder of the Medical Acupuncture Research Institute of America, an institution of higher learning dedicated to the study, research, and development of modern scientific acupuncture. Dr. Carlota has been widely recognized for simplifying the study of acupuncture by western medical practitioners and has received numerous accolades for his scientific research and publications on the subject. In 1993, Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos awarded Dr. Carlota the "Pamana Ng Bayan" (Legacy of the Nation) award, the country's highest honor in recognition of exemplary service performed by Filipinos living overseas. Active in the Filipino American community, he has served as President of several organizations including: the Association of Philippine Physicians in America, the nationwide organization of the 25,000 Filipino American doctors serving in the grassroots communities across the United States; the Philippine Medical Association of Tennessee; the National Filipino American Council, a hub organization for Filipino Americans; and the Filipino American Empowerment Movement. In 1993 he was elected Vice Mayor of the City of Lakeland and also served on the city's Board of Commissioners. Dr. Carlota earned his Doctorate of Medicine in 1960 from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1965, he completed an internship and a psychiatric residency in Cleveland, Ohio, and Warren, Pennsylvania, respectively.

Mr. David B. Cohen, of Los Angeles, California, is a partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood. In May of 2001, Mr. Cohen was nominated by Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) and appointed by Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, to serve as Chairperson of the Special Industry Committee for American Samoa. This committee is charged with reviewing economic conditions in the Pacific region and establishing minimum wage rates for American Samoa. Mr. Cohen is also a member of the Board of Directors for the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging and previously served on the board of the Samoan Federation of America, Inc. In 1992 he was awarded a commendation from the late Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn for his dedicated service to the local Samoan community, and he also received the Samoa Mo Samoa award for community service from Samoa International Magazine. Mr. Cohen is the co-author of two books, Business and Its Legal Environment and Modern Business Law. He previously taught business law at California State University, Long Beach. Mr. Cohen earned a joint J.D.-M.B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was selected for law review, and the Wharton School. Mr. Cohen also received M.A., B.A. and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Mary M. Ling, of Toluca Lake, California, came to the United States in 1968 and has worked in a variety of fields including public affairs and international business. She was the founder of Fu-Kang International, a firm based in Taipei, Taiwan, which aids foreign investors, primarily from Hong Kong and Taiwan, to invest in small businesses in the United States. She served as the firm's President from 1995 to 1999. Prior to that, she served as Director of Public Relations for the Law Offices of Hogg and Benson in Los Angeles. Ms. Ling is a member of several community groups including the Republican Women's Federation, the Chinese Lion's Club of Los Angeles, Chinese Americans for Self-Empowerment, and the Taiwanese Women's Association. She is the proud mother of two daughters: Lisa, co-host of ABC Television's talk show The View, and Laura, a producer of documentary films. Ms. Ling received her B.A. degree from Christ College.

Representative Barbara Marumoto, of Honolulu, Hawai'i, is a member of the Hawai'i House of Representatives. She represents the 17th House District, a residential neighborhood near Diamond Head. Rep. Marumoto was first elected to state office in 1978, after she served as a delegate to the Hawai'i Constitutional Convention. She has served in the legislature for over two decades and was House Minority Leader from 1984 to 1986 and from 1998 to 2001. Her legislative efforts focus primarily on pocket-book issues, such as: taxation, improving business climate, promoting economic development, and advocating for better public schools and higher education. Rep. Marumoto has previously served on several federal advisory boards including the Small Business Administration's Honolulu Advisory Council, the Department of Education's Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Education, and the Department of Defense's Advisory Committee on Women in Services. She is currently President of the Women's Legislative Network of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Rep. Marumoto holds a B.A. degree in Sociology from the University of Hawaii.

Mr. Garry K. Ong, of Phoenix, Arizona, is the President of G.O. Enterprises, which operates pan-Asian restaurants in Phoenix. He is also President and C.E.O. of Great Wall Enterprises, Ltd., a corporation that includes the Phoenix International Trading Company and Travelink International and Consulting Services. Mr. Ong serves in several advisory roles for the State of Arizona. He is a member of the Asian Advisory Council for Secretary of State Betsey Bayless, the Business Round Table for Attorney General Janet Napolitano, and the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging. From 1993 to 1998, he served as a board member of the Arizona State Chamber of Commerce and Co-chair of its Economic Development Committee. Mr. Ong also served as Chairman of the Small Business Administration's Region IX Advisory Council and has been an active member of the Asian communities in Arizona for over fifteen years. He was the past President of the Chinese United Association of Greater Phoenix and one of the founding members of the Chinese Restaurant Association of Arizona. In 1987 Mr. Ong was honored with the "Outstanding Citizen" award from the Asian American Association of Arizona. Emigrated from Hong Kong to the U.S. in 1962, Mr. Ong received his B.S. in Marketing from Arizona State University.

Mr. Sunny K. Park, of Atlanta, Georgia, is the C.E.O. of General Building Maintenance, Inc., a commercial facility maintenance service. He is also the President of Global Sun Investments, Inc., a real estate investment firm, and the C.E.O. of Hepatech Clean Room Services, Inc., a micro contamination service provider for semi-conductor manufacturers. Mr. Park was the founder of the Good Neighboring Campaign, a movement to improve the image of Asian Americans. From 1990 to 1991, he led the Federation of Korean Associations of the United States, and he currently serves as President of the Korea America Friendship Society. Mr. Park serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations, including: the International Vaccine Institute's Supporting Committee, the Atlanta College of Art, the National Museum of Patriotism, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, and as a member of the Business Executives for National Security (BENS). He is also a Deacon at the Community Presbyterian Church in Tucker, Georgia, and contributes columns to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. In 1990, the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Business Chronicle presented him with their "Small Business Person of the Year" award, and the State of Georgia has twice recognized him as "Outstanding Citizen." Mr. Park has completed independent studies and attended the Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University.

Mrs. Michelle Eunjoo Park Steel, of Palos Verdes, California, came to the U.S. in 1975 and has been an active leader in her local community. In the last decade alone, she has served as a member of the California World Trade Commission, the Los Angeles County Children and Family Services Commission, and the Los Angeles Airport and Fire Commissions. Mrs. Park Steel is presently the Treasurer of the Korean American Coalition and a Board Member of Brothers and Sisters Unlimited, an after school program for African American youth. In addition, she is the President of the Korean-American Republican Association. An avid skier, she has won numerous competition awards and is a Board Member of the Korean Ski Association. Mrs. Park Steel was born in Seoul, Korea, and attended Nippon Joshi Dai (Japan Women's University). She received a B.S. degree in Business Administration and Management from Pepperdine University.

Mrs. Amata Coleman Radewagen, a Samoan American and Native Hawaiian of Pago Pago, American Samoa, is a member of the U.S. House Leadership Staff under Congressman J.C. Watts (R-OK), Chairman of the House Republican Conference. She previously served on the staff of the Dean of the Conference, Congressman Philip M. Crane (R-IL), where her responsibilities included advising him on issues affecting the Pacific islands. Earlier in her career, Mrs. Radewagen was on the staff of Frank C. Carlucci, U.S.Under Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. A breast cancer survivor, Mrs. Radewagen has dedicated herself to educating island women on the importance of prevention and early detection of the disease. She is the founder of the Samoan Women's Health Fund and a member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Mrs. Radewagen has served as a Democracy Trainer for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and the International Republican Institute, as an Advisory Council Member of the Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council, and as a Washington advisor to the American Samoa Power Authority. Raised in Pago Pago, she has also resided in Honolulu, Saipan, and Guam, where she received a B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of Guam.

Master Jhoon Rhee, of McLean, Virginia, is a world-renowned martial arts instructor with over 60 affiliated Tae Kwon Do studios in the United States and 65 in the former Soviet Union. A 10th degree Black Belt, Master Rhee has been inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame and is regarded as the "Father of Tae Kwon Do" in both the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. He is the author of five books and received the Bicentennial Sports Award as the "Martial Arts Man of the Century." Master Rhee was a Special Advisor to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports from 1985 to 1988, and he served on the National Council on Vocational Education from 1988 to 1991. In March of 1992, President George H. Bush selected him to be the 721st "Daily Point of Light." He has appeared in two films and is a popular motivational speaker at seminars throughout the world. He has trained numerous celebrities including Muhammad Ali, Tony Robinson, Jack Valenti, and over 250 members of the U.S. Congress. Master Rhee, who emigrated from Korea to the U.S. in 1957, was honored by the National Immigrant Forum and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service as one of the 200 most famous immigrants in American history, alongside such individuals as Albert Einstein and Alexander Graham Bell.

Mr. Joseph Ting, of Houston, Texas, is the C.E.O. of West Plaza Management, an investment and management company. In addition, he is the Vice Chairman of Metro Bank, a community bank that serves the Greater Houston and Dallas areas. In 1985, Mr. Ting founded Unitex Bags, Inc., a manufacturing plant based in Houston. He is a member of the Houston Convention Center Hotel Corporation's Board of Directors, the Asia Society of Texas Advisory Board, and the Houston Taipei Sister City Board of Directors. In 1996, he joined with City Officials to conduct business developments among Houston, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Taipei. He also traveled to Panama to promote international trade for the city of Houston. He has previously served as Executive Director of the Texas Asian Republican Caucus and as Vice President of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ting came to the U.S. in 1977 after receiving a B.A. degree in Economics from Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan. He also earned an M.B.A. degree from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Mr. Bao Ky N. Vu, of Atlanta, Georgia, is an Analyst and Portfolio Manager with A. Montag and Associates, a private investment firm based in Atlanta. He is currently the Secretary of the Vietnamese-American Public Affairs Committee, a member of the Northlake Regional Hospital's Minority Advisory Board, and a member of the Vietnamese Professionals Society. He previously served as the Vice President of the Vietnamese Confederation of Georgia, helping to raise funds for the organization, promote cultural heritage, and provide citizenship classes for new immigrants. Mr. Vu also helped found the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals and serves as Co-chair of its Professional Development and Community Service committees. His family left Saigon prior to the collapse of South Vietnam in 1975, and two years later, they resettled in the United States. He received a B.S. degree from Georgia Tech and an M.B.A. degree from Georgetown University.

Dr. Zachariah P. Zachariah, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been a private practice physician since 1976. He serves as the Director of Cardiology at Holy Cross Hospital, a nonprofit community hospital in Fort Lauderdale, and as a Voluntary Professor at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Presently, Dr. Zachariah holds several leadership positions including: membership on the Board of Trustees of Nova Southeastern University, Vice Chairmanship of the Florida Council on Economic Education, and membership on the Advisory Council for the Pace Center for Girls. He was a member of the Florida Board of Medicine from 1988 to 1992, and Chairman from 1990 to 1992. He currently serves as the First Vice Chairman of that board. Additionally, Dr. Zachariah has served on the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council. He is a leading proponent of improving heart-health through education, exercise, and even financial incentives. Dr. Zachariah has received numerous awards for his humanitarian work, community service, advocacy on behalf of children, and his leadership in public health. The American Heart Association recognized him by establishing the "Zachariah P. Zachariah Golden Heart Award," of which he was the first recipient. He has also received the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge's "George Washington Honor Medal," the "Ellis Island Medal of Honor," and the "Ellis Island American Legends Award." Dr. Zachariah received his medical training from the Armed Forces Medical College in India. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1972, completed his postgraduate training in Medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital in Patterson New Jersey.

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