MEDIA ADVISORY - September 14, 2009
CONTACT:
AJ Durrani 713.702.2377
Mini Timmaraju 832.452.7038

Asian American Democrats of Texas (AADT) Reception

for Democratic National Committee AAPI Caucus a “Big Success”

AUSTIN, TX – Utilizing its recognized role as the sole representative political organization of Asian Americans in this state, the Asian American Democrats of Texas (AADT) gave a Texas-sized welcome to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Caucus of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on September 10 in Austin.  Caucus members attending the reception included Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong, Keith Umemoto, Chair of the DNC Credentials Committee, Jadine Nielsen, Russell Okata, and Jennifer Vanderheide, Chief of Staff to DNC Vice Chair Rep. Mike Honda.  Noting AADT’s remarkable success in organizing Asian Americans in Texas politics, Chair Leong-Hong observed, “In order for AAPIs to be truly included at all levels of government, whether appointed or elected, the first step is getting involved with groups such as AADT.  AADT’s impressive organization at the state and local level is a model for the rest of the country.”

With an overflow crowd of over one hundred attendees, the AADT reception was also a favored platform for Texas candidates to spread their message.  Candidates addressing the gathering included Democratic candidates for US Senate Bill White and John Sharp and Democratic candidates for Governor of Texas Tom Schieffer and Hank Gilbert.  Seven local Travis County Democratic candidates attended the reception as well, and took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the gathering.  As has become traditional for AADT events, a delicious dinner was served to guests, made possible by the generous donations of the individuals and organizations noted below.  More information about this event is available at the Asian American Democrats of Texas’s website, www.aadt.us, or by e-mailing mail@aadt.us.

Event Sponsors:

Judge R. K. Sandill, 127th District Court

Mayor Bill White, Candidate for US Senate

State Representative Valinda Bolton

State Representative Elliott Naishtat

State Representative Eddie Rodriguez

State Representative Mark Strama

State Representative Kristi Thibaut

State Representative Hubert Vo

Amy Clark Meachum, Candidate for 353^rd District Court

Hank Gilbert, Candidate for Governor of Texas

Tom Schieffer, Candidate for Governor of Texas

John Sharp, Candidate for US Senate

Jack McDonald, Candidate for US Congress 10^th  District

Neesha Dave

AJ Durrani, Member, State Democratic Executive Committee

Jennifer Kim

Jerry Philips

Gordon Quan

Farrukh Shamsi, Member, State Democratic Executive Committee

Mini Timmaraju, Member, State Democratic Executive Committee

CAAAD Asian American Progress PAC

###