Rep. Judy Chu
On Tuesday, April 1, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), told MSNBC that there had been at least 1,000 hate crimes against Asian Americans in the last five weeks. Alarmingly, such reports now come at an average of 100 per day — and “they are all over the country,” according to the congresswoman.
These figures corroborate the FBI’s recent warning of a rise in hate crimes.
“The FBI makes this assessment based on the assumption that a portion of the U.S. public will associate COVID-19 with China and Asian American populations,” the agency said.
By Honey Lum
In 2018-19, Sacramento County Registration & Elections implemented the California’s Voter Choice Act of 2016. The County was a pilot in this State to operate 11-day Vote Centers (VC) prior to election day. Instead of opening only on election day as a polling site, the pilot VCs operated anywhere from 4 to 10 days to allow folks to cast their ballots early, at more convenient times, including weekends. The VCs provides these advantages:
Freedom to Vote – flexibility to vote on weekends
More staff members – to assist voters
More Voting machines – to accommodate a higher volume of voters
Access to multi-lingual services – translators are present to assist voters
Specialized voting machines – for voters with disabilities
Ability to register voters – and print correct ballots – process Conditional Voter Registration
Can receive Mail-In Ballots
This year in the March 3 Primary election the polling places were generally opened 7 am to 8 pm. The Robbie Waters polling place was very busy with nonstop voting from 10 am to 8 pm (when polling place closed). Around 5 pm, people had to wait about an hour to reach the voting booth. The following officials and community leaders came to the VCs: Sen. Richard Pan, Wm B. Shubb, Senior US Dist. Judge, and Dr. Alvin Cheung, President, California North State University.
Over 600 ballots were processed; including many hand-delivered “mail-in” ballots. During the 11 days, Honey and others processed check-in registration, verified party affiliation to printout correct ballot, processed computerized voting methods if person wanted to use touch-screen voting, received hand-delivered ballots and counted processed ballots during the day. Vote Centers took precautions; poll workers used hand sanitizers, washed hands, wore gloves, sanitized booths, pens and computerized devices.
The November election ballot will include State Propositions and local initiatives that affect funds and impacting communities. 2020 is also Census 2020; it is most important for EVERYONE to be actively involved and to be Counted. Disadvantaged communities need more help to keep people safe and healthy. CACS encourages you, your family and friends to register to VOTE. Mail the Ballots in Early. Mail-In Ballots can be mail back to the Sacramento County Register’s Office or hand-delivered to a Vote Center; (Golden One Center will be a 11-day Vote Center) on Election Day by 8 pm. Ballots received after 8 pm will not be counted.
The APAPA California State Capitol Internship Program is designed to prepare students to become future leaders in our greater community. This program provides an opportunity for students to develop their leadership and networking skills, gain public policy experience and become more civically engaged.
Students will be placed in the office(s) of local, state or federal elected official offices and work a minimum of 100 hours throughout the duration of the program (hours are flexible within each office). Hours must stretch throughout the intern program, June 1 – August 7, 2020 (exceptions may be made with approval of the Committee).
Interns will receive a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 after the successful completion of the program.
Students are responsible for their own housing, transportation and insurance.
The program is open to all California resident undergraduate, graduate students, and graduating high school seniors.
Qualifications:
Demonstrated leadership
Interpersonal and teamwork skills
Written and verbal communication skills
Community service
Preferred minimum grade point average of 3.0
Application Deadline: Friday, February 21, 2020
Summer Program Length: Monday, June 1, 2020 – Friday, August 7, 2020*
*Due to various academic calendars, students can request special accommodations within this time frame. However, a minimum of 100 hours must be completed.
Internship Mandatory Program Requirements
Attend the following events and workshops in Sacramento:
Saturday, April 4, 2020: Shining Star Gala
Saturday, May 23, 2020, 9 AM – 12:30 PM: Orientation
Friday, June 12 & 26, 2020: Workshops
Friday, July 10 & 24, 2020: Workshops
TBD: Voter Registration Outreach
TBD: State Capitol Day
Friday, August 7, 2020: Graduation Luncheon from 12 – 1:30 PM
Additional Opportunities (not required):
Interns will have the opportunity to participate as a volunteer with APAPA at other events, including the following: Town Halls, Voters Forum, Holiday Mixer, Legislative Reception and the following year’s Internship Program and Gala.
For any questions, please contact APAPA National Headquarters at [email protected] or call 916-928-9988.
CACS and the CACS Foundation supports the Maharlaka Lions Christmas Caroling at the Asian Community Center (ACC) Greenhaven Terrace (Assisted Living) at Corporate Way and ACC Nursing Home on Rush River. The $500 donation will be used by the Maharlaka Lions to support the medical mission in the Philippines.
CACS Council and Foundation members attend Sacramento Chinese Indochina Friendship Association Autumn Festival Fundraiser in September 2019 at the Happy Garden Restaurant. Over $10,000 was raised for their Chinese School.
CACS Council and Foundation board directors with Mayor Darrel Steinberg attends the 7th Annual CAPITAL (Council of Asian Pacific Islander Together for Advocacy & Leadership) CelebrAsian on Thursay, August 22, 2019 at the Happy Garden Restaurant. CAPITAL honored Georgette Imura for her Outstanding Services to the API Community Award (Photo with Keith Johnson, CACS Council Advisor with Georgette Imura, Roy Imura and grandson. Over 300 dignitaries and friends attended this event honoring Ms. Imura.
On May 30, 2019 the Sacramento Chapter of the Federal Bar Assn. and the Eastern District Historical Society hosted the auspicious event in the Federal Building’s in the Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Library and Learning Center with a reception in the rotunda afterwards.
The building is on the site of Sacramento’s former Chinatown; CACS was invited to play an integral role in creating the permanent Chinese exhibit on the south side of the lobby. Thanks to the talents and research of the late Phil Choy the exceptional display is there as a tribute to the history and contributions of the Chinese in Sacramento.
Master of Ceremonies and event coordinator Candice Fields, esq. invited CACS to the celebratory event; CACS President Alex Eng (who participated in the original opening ceremony), Board Directors Karun Yee, Honey Lum, Brenda Fong, Douglas Hsia, and Locke representative Corliss Lee were among the honored guests.
Opening remarks were made by the Honorable Doris Matsui, followed by some very interesting historical facts presented by the panel of Hon. Wm. B. Shubb (Sr. U.S. Dist. Judge), Jack Wagner( Clerk U.S. Dist. Court), and Lorenzo Lopez (Architect).
Other honored guests included a number of judicial officers from the Eastern District of California, the Superior Court, County of Sacramento and elected and appointed officials; Doris Matsui, McGregor Scott (U.S. Attorney), and Heather Wms. (Federal Public Defender).
CACS Foundation and Members of the Council supports OCA Sacramento Annual Dragon Boat Festival at the Double Tree Hotel on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Over 500 attendees honoring Saori Choulos, Tia Gemmell, May O. Lee and Chris Mateo.
Chinese American Council of Sacramento board members attendiedthe Northern California Time of Remembrance at the California Musuem to honor Floyd Shimomura and Dr. Maki for their work on the 1988 Redress and apology by US Government (President Ronald Reagan) to JACL who incarcerated the Japanese during WW II. Attendees in photo below: CACS Officers – Honey Lum, Joyce and Alex Eng with Florin JACL – Officers – Murielle Tsukamoto, Christine Umeda with Honorees Floyd Shimomura (Former JACL National President) and Dr. Mitchell T. Maki.
