Dialogue with Erika Moritsugu, National Civic Leadership Forum, APS Letter about China Initiative

Dear all,

Hope all is well. I’d like to invite you to attend the following events:

• Dialogue with Erika Moritsugu, President Biden's Deputy Assistant about Anti-Asian Hate

• 2021 National Civic Leadership Forum

Also would like to share with you two important updates:

• Maria Duaime Robinson, Massachusetts’ First Korean-American Legislator, Nominated for Assistant Secretary of the Department of Energy

• American Physical Society (APS) Sends Letter to White House Voicing Concerns About DOJ’s China Initiative, Suggesting Reforms

Dialogue with Erika Moritsugu, President Biden's Deputy Assistant about Anti-Asian Hate

Can we enhance our efforts to fight anti-Asian hate in our local communities by collaborating with the White House? Please join Erika Moritsugu, President Biden's Deputy Assistant and AA/NHPI liaison, the highest ranking AAPI member of President Biden’s staff for a rare opportunity to in a 2-part conversation about how to address racism against the Asian American/Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AA/NHPI) community. OCAA is assisting SFCAUSE (San Francisco Community Alliance for Unity, Safety and Education) in organizing this event.

On Friday, September 24, 2021 from 7 pm - 8 pm, Erika Moritsugu will review how the White House is forming critical partnerships across sectors to fight anti-Asian hate crimes, and ensure the advancement of the Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities. Moderating the event will be Emmy award-winning news anchor, reporter, and author Dion Lim from ABC7/KGO-TV in San Francisco.

On Saturday, September 25, 2021, 3pm-4:30pm Erika and a group of panelists will discuss issues impacting the AA/NHPI community in San Francisco and in Chinatown, followed by an award ceremony honoring KGO news anchor, Dion Lim. Audience members will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the conversations.

Register here for the September 24, 2021 event and here for the September 25, 2021 event. DDTV will livestream the September 24 event with Chinese translation here.

2021 National Civic Leadership Forum

The 2021 National Civic Leadership Forum (NCLF) will take place online on Friday, September 24 (5 pm- 7:30 pm EST) and Saturday, September 25 (11 am – 6:30 pm EST).

Its theme is unity and features the following sessions:

• Unity Through Appreciation - AAPI Cultural; and Heritage

• Unity Through Participation - AAPI Political Engagement

• Unity Through Inspiration - AAPI Future Generation

• Music Erases All Racial And Cultural Boundaries

Register free for the 2021 NCLF here.

Maria Duaime Robinson, Massachusetts’ First Korean-American Legislator, Nominated for Assistant Secretary of the Department of Energy

On September 22, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Maria Duaime Robinson for the Assistant Secretary in the Office of Electricity at the Department of Energy.

Maria Duaime Robinson is serving her second term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives where she was elected as the first Korean-American legislator in 2018. She leads the House side of the Clean Energy Caucus, serves as the Massachusetts state lead to the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators where she is on the board, and is the only state legislator on the U.S. EPA Clean Air Act Advisory Committee.

Upon learning about her nomination, Maria said, “To have the opportunity to serve my country using my background in energy policy is a dream come true." Read more here.

American Physical Society (APS) Sends Letter to White House Voicing Concerns About DOJ’s China Initiative, Suggesting Reforms

APS President Sylvester James Gates, Jr. recently sent a letter to Biden Administration leaders expressing the Society’s strong concerns with the Justice Department’s China Initiative—a targeted effort sowing fear among scientists of Asian descent, restricting legitimate international scientific collaboration, and hindering the United States in the race for global talent. The letter also outlines the following seven recommendations for adjusting the initiative that would both protect against national security risks and strengthen the nation’s research enterprise:

• Refocus the Initiative

• Rename the Initiative

• Establish Protocol for Breaches of Scientific Integrity

• Provide Researchers Window to Catch Up

• Review Past Cases and Correct for Violations

• Mitigate Against Racial Profiling Going Forward

• Seek Input from the Research Community

APS Government Affairs and the Society’s leaders are meeting with Biden Administration officials to further discuss the recommendations and push for their swift implementation.

Be well,

Vincent

Vincent Wang

Co-organizer, APA Justice

Chair, Ohio Chinese American Association