News Release
September 17, 2019
Rayburn House Office Building
US House of Representatives
Washington DC
Headline: In an Unprecedented Signing Ceremony 70+ AAPI Organizations Declared Their Unity and Their Commitment To Civic Engagement.
At the September 15-18, 2019, National Civic Leadership Forum (NCLF), over 70 different AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders) organizations representing more than 10 different ethnic groups met to discuss key civic issues that face our community. This was a momentous occasion of unity and collaboration unimaginable even a generation ago.
AAPI increasing demographic representation, collective economic impact, and professional/civic achievements present a powerful and timely opportunity for full-scale civic engagement. Many AAPI candidates are running for political leadership positions including the United States Presidency in 2020.
The gathered AAPI leaders have decided that it is time to call for full-scale civic engagement which includes volunteerism, donation, social advocacy, community service, voter registration and political participation at local, state, and national levels. This is a process of self-empowerment that we learn from the experiences and lessons of all other immigrant groups.
Before this signing ceremony, meticulous hours of preparation have gone into crafting a unifying statement that such a diverse group of AAPI organizations could buy-in and offer their unanimous support. Led by the NCLF delegates, CLUSA (Civic Leadership USA), APAPA (Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association), UCA (United Chinese Americans) and many other AAPI organizations, a group of 13 delegates worked tirelessly to craft the attached statement in declaration of AAPI Unity.
This signing ceremony as witnessed by DingDingTV and a dozen invited media will present a powerful and an indelible image that will be forever etched into the minds and annal of American History and a powerful symbol that AAPI have finally arrived in our country.