AAPI Newsletter - May 2008

 

	AAPI Democrat May 2008 If there is one lesson we've learned during the Democratic primary process, it is the important role the delegates play. The focus seems to be on the all-important delegate count. As the candidates tally their delegate totals, state parties across the country are in various stages of the delegate selection process, as governed by their state delegate selection plans. Here is where you come in. And just in time to kick off Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! To ensure diversity among the delegates, each state has set affirmative action goals as part of its delegate selection plan. One way states meet their affirmative action goals is through the at-large delegate appointment process. We have a number of states whose filing deadlines for at-large appointments are coming up in May and June. On behalf of DNC's Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Caucus, I would like to encourage you to contact your state party about applying for an at-large appointment, to ensure that your state meets its goal for APIA delegates. Democrats are turning out in record numbers, and this promises to be an historic convention. We wanted to get this information out to you now, as a number of deadlines are coming up this month. We will be highlighting more APA Heritage Month events featuring Governor Dean and Congressman Honda in our next edition of The AAPI Democrat, so stay tuned! Bel Leong-Hong Chair, DNC APIA Caucus 'CONVENTION 101' GOES ONLINE AT DEMCONVENTION.COM New Online Content Detailing Rules and Mechanics of the Nomination Process to Serve as Go-To Resource for Information on Party Business at Core of Convention The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) launched "Convention 101," a series of new web pages at DemConvention.com detailing the rules and mechanics governing the Democratic Party's nomination process. The extensive online content also includes an inside look at much of the Party business conducted at each and every Democratic National Convention. The 2008 Democratic National Convention will be held August 25-28, 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. "Not only will our Convention be technically flawless, but the rules and Party business conducted in the lead-up to and during Convention week will be open, orderly and credible," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "DemConvention.com will be a tremendous resource for those interested in the significant amount of Party business that sits at the core of every Convention." Laid out as a series of educational lessons, "Convention 101" includes information on the extensive planning process that takes place in advance of the Convention and what happens and when during the four-day event. The planning process, including the role of the prestigious Standing Committees, is now outlined in detail under "Lesson 1: Convention Lead-Up" on the site. As Convention participants are certified by Alice Germond, Secretary of the Democratic National Committee, the names of each participant to the 2008 Convention will be posted to this section of the site. This section will also indicate the presidential candidate to whom pledged delegates are pledged. Convention week itself is explained under "Lesson 2: At the Convention" and includes a typical day in the life of a delegate, how and when pledged and unpledged delegates cast their votes and the role alternate delegates play in the event. The section also outlines the requirements necessary to secure the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. The Democratic National Convention is expected to pump an estimated $160 million into the Denver area's economy and draw as many as of 50,000 visitors to the region. AAPI National News SENATE PASSES VETERANS BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007 Comprehensive bill expands support for disabled veterans, job training, and provides historic Filipino veterans equity U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, elatedly applauded his colleagues in the Senate for passing S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 by a vote of 96 to 1. Prior to voting on final passage of the bill, the Senate debated an amendment to remove a provision providing a limited pension for Filipino World War II veterans residing in the Philippines. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 56 to 41, with Akaka leading the charge for the Filipino veterans' pension. "The Filipino veterans of World War II fought bravely under U.S. military command, helping us win the war only to lose their veteran status by an Act of Congress. I commend my colleagues for supporting those veterans who stood with us," said Akaka. "This bill makes needed improvements to veterans' benefits by expanding and increasing support for veterans, their families, and their survivors. I urge my colleagues in the House to act swiftly on this much needed bill." This comprehensive, budget-neutral omnibus veterans' benefits bill was approved by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs last June and reported to the full Senate last August. The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 would provide a veterans' pension to Filipino veterans of World War II residing in the U.S. and in the Philippines. Under the proposed bill, veterans residing in the Philippines would receive a smaller pension than those residing in the U.S., to account for differences in cost-of-living in the two countries. The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 also includes a multitude of improvements to veterans' benefits, including provisions to: Establish a new program of insurance for service-connected disabled veterans; Expand eligibility for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance; Increase the maximum amount of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance that a service-connected disabled veteran may purchase; Provide individuals with severe burn injuries specially adapted housing benefits; and Extend for two years the monthly educational assistance allowance for apprenticeship or other on-the-job training The bill now moves to the House of Representatives. Presidential Town Hall DATE: May 17, 2008 PLACE: Bren Events Center at University of California, Irvine APIA Vote is proud to sponsor first National Presidential Town Hall hosted by our Asian American and Pacific Islander community. With the support of various national Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations, 2000 community leaders, elected officials, voters, and students representing this diverse community from across the country are expected to participate. Join us for this historic event and learn about the candidates before voting in the general election in November, 2008. Invitations to each campaign were received and we are working with the campaigns to schedule each candidate's appearance. To register, please go to the Presidential Town Hall website. To sign up for updates on AAPI issues from the DNC, including The AAPI Democrat, click here, http://www.democrats.org/aapidemocrat. If you have a community event you would like to announce, please submit to AAPI@dnc.org for consideration.
	Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003