Press Release
 
For Immediate Release:  March 15, 2011

Contact:  Lida Peterson (lida@cimpa.org)

U.S. Senator Akaka, and U.S. Representatives Honda 
and Chu Honored as Heroes In Public Service at the 
11th Annual Asian American Action Fund (AAA-Fund) 
Reception on April 5th at DNC Headquarters in D.C.

The Asian American Action Fund (AAA-Fund) will be 
commemorating its 11th year of helping elect Democrats 
to office with a Celebration at the Democratic National
Committee headquarters at 430 South Capitol Street, SE
in Washington, D.C., from 6 to 8 pm, on Tuesday, 
April 5, 2011.  Fresh from successes that included the 
endorsement and election of Asian American U.S. 
Representatives from Michigan and Hawai'i, the AAA-Fund 
will convene a gathering that traditionally has marked 
the high point for Asian American and Pacific Islander 
(AAPI) Democrats in Washington each year.

The AAA-Fund Reception brings together Members of 
Congress, state legislators, AAPI community leaders, 
and up-and-coming leaders who are members of the 
AAA Group.  The formal program is supplemented by 
informal conversations that have resulted in many 
opportunities for those seeking campaign jobs, 
government positions, campaign donors, campaign 
staffers, and professional contacts.
 

The 2011 Reception is billed as a Celebration of Asian 
American and Pacific Islander Heroes in Public Service.
Retiring Hawaii U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka will receive 
a Lifetime of Public Service Award, and California 
Representative Mike Honda, Chair of the AAA-Fund 
Honorary Board, will be honored with a "Michael Honda 
Fellowship" inaugurated in his name.  California 
Representative Judy Chu will be honored for her recent 
ascent to the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific 
American Caucus (CAPAC), and newly elected Representatives 
Hansen Clarke (Michigan) and Colleen Hanabusa (Hawaii) 
will be welcomed to Washington for their first terms 
in what we expect to be long and successful careers 
on Capitol Hill.
 

Emmy Award-winning news reporter and anchor Joie Chen 
will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies.  Attendees expected
to attend include members of the AAA-Fund Honorary Board,
which includes Chair Rep. Mike Honda (CA), Sen. Daniel 
Akaka (Hawaii), Sen. Daniel Inouye (Hawaii), Fmr. Sec. 
Norman Mineta,  Rep. Judy Chu (CA), Rep. Xavier Becerra 
(CA), Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (Guam), Rep. Eni Faleomavaega 
(American Samoa), Rep. Al Green (TX),  Rep. Mazie Hirono 
(Hawaii), Rep. Doris Matsui (CA), Rep. Bobby Scott (VA), 
Rep. David Wu (OR), Rep. Hansen Clarke (MI), and 
Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (Hawaii).

All contributions will support the AAA-Fund's continuing 
efforts to elect AAPI Democrats and empower the AAPI 
community.  Individual Donation levels are:  
Champion ($5,000), Host ($2,000), Sponsor ($1,000), 
Friend ($500), Guest ($100), and Student/Young Professional 
($75).  Limited discounts can be found by paying online 
at www.aaa-fund.org.
 
PAC Donations are welcome, and include:  Diamond ($5,000),
Gold ($2500), and Silver ($1000).
 
For Sponsorship, RSVP and Donations information, please 
contact  Lida Peterson at lida@cimpa.org.
 
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Background on the AAA-Fund
 
The AAA-Fund is a national organization with local 
affiliates in Chicago, Virginia, New York/New Jersey, 
Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose. 
We work closely with the National Filipino-American 
Democratic Council and have an affiliate made up of 
up-and-coming leaders called the AAA Group.  
The AAA-Fund’s Board of Directors, Honorary Board and 
Advisory Board represent every major AAPI ethnic 
community nationally.
 
The AAA-Fund endorses candidates who have the commitment,
conviction and courage to fight for the AAPI community 
and a better America. It supports candidates at all 
levels of government by providing financial, technical 
and grassroots campaign assistance. 
 
Since 2000, AAA-Fund has endorsed over 60 candidates 
and raised over $500,000 for its endorsees. In 2006, 
over 75 percent of our candidates were elected. 
In 2008, over 60 percent of our 38 endorsed candidates 
were elected.  And last November, nearly 70 percent 
of our endorsed candidates were elected during a 
difficult year for Democrats.
 
Paid for the Asian American Action Fund, 707 H St NW, 
Washington D.C. 20001.  Not authorized by any candidate 
or candidate's committee.  More details can be found at 
www.aaa-fund.org.
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