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Press Release
October 24, 2002
Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information: Daphne Kwok 202-296-9200
WILMA CHAN BECOMES CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY'S FIRST FEMALE AND APA MAJORITY LEADER
Washington, DC – California Speaker Herb J. Wesson, Jr. appointed Assemblymember
Wilma Chan as the Majority Leader of California’s State Legislature on October
4. Assemblymember Chan makes history by becoming the first woman and the first
Asian Pacific American (APA) to hold this distinguished position.
Regarding Assemblymember Chan’s historic appointment, Asian Pacific American
Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Chair, Clayton Fong said, “The APA
community is beaming with pride with Assemblymember Chan’s most recent
achievement. She continually commands positions that were once unknown to Asian
Pacific Americans in the continental U.S., and by doing so opens new political
dreams for APAs. Outside of Hawaii, the only other leadership position headed by
an APA at the state legislature level is Stan Matsunaka, who just completed his
term as President of the Colorado State Senate."
As Majority Leader, Ms. Chan’s responsibilities to the party makes her the
leader of her fellow Democrats to insure that they understand the policy issues
at hand.
Among the many worthy causes that Assemblymember Chan has championed throughout
her Assembly service are: funding for children’s services, affordable housing,
and healthcare. She has been especially sensitive to the needs of legal
immigrant families and seniors by passing legislation that assists these groups.
Recently Chan authored and passed a bill which ensures multi-lingual Health
Services. Also, Assemblywoman Chan advocated for a bill that makes permanent the
two state programs responsible for providing aid to immigrants. Passing this law
prevented more than 10,000 legal immigrant seniors, disabled, and working
families from losing their food stamps and cash assistance. Moreover,
Assemblywoman Chan sponsored an anti-discrimination law that protects those
filing complaints to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
from being pressured to prematurely file a lawsuit or lose their ability to do
so before the EEOC can conclude an investigation.
In 1990, Wilma Chan began her political career by winning a seat on the Oakland
School District Board. Four years later, Chan became the first Asian Pacific
American to be elected to the Alameda Board of Supervisors. After serving on the
Board of Supervisors, Chan’s next step was to enter into the California
Legislature, and in 2000 she became the representative for California’s 16th
district. Standing out among her colleagues for her political savvy and
tenacious spirit, Chan served as the Assembly’s Majority Whip during her
2001-2002 tenure.
APAICS Executive Director Daphne Kwok stated, “Wilma Chan has distinguished
herself as among the trail blazing Asian Pacific American elected officials
rising to the top of the party leadership. She truly is a great role model for
current and prospective APA officials. Hopefully, looking at the example she has
set, others will aspire to run for and seek higher office. The APA community is
so proud of her achievement, and we know that the citizens of California are
extremely fortunate to have such an able and dynamic leader.”
***
The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational organization based in Washington, D.C.,
that seeks to build a politically empowered APA community, to fill the political
pipeline for Asian Pacific Americans to enter and advance into elected office,
and to be a resource to Congress about the APA community.
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