APAICS Newsletter September 2011
APAICS Welcomes its 2011-2012 Fellows
Every year, APAICS invites extraordinary and young professionals to serve as APAICS fellows to experience working as full-time staff members in the U.S. Congress. Throughout the history of APAICS, the fellowship has developed a prestigious legacy of leaders who have gone on to become elected officials, policy directors, and president & CEOs of organizations.
This year is no different as APAICS welcomes three bright and talented young professionals as its 2011-2012 Fellows:
 Moh Sharma Walmart/General Motors Fellow Office of Congresswoman and CAPAC Chairwoman Judy Chu (CA-32) Since her undergraduate studies, Moh Sharma has gained legal, policy and advocacy experience in immigration, human rights, technology and economic justice. She has worked at the CT Judicial Branch, the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Clinic during law school, and interned at the Center for Constitutional Rights and the United Nations. Moh received her B.A. and M.A. in Economics from the University of Connecticut, a M.S. in Global Affairs from NYU, and a J.D. from CUNY School of Law. She was previously on the board of the South Asian Bar Association of New York and is currently the vice president for the CT National Association for Asian American Professionals. Jason Tengco  Anheuser-Busch/Congressman Frank Horton fellow Office of Congressman Michael Honda (CA-15) Jason Tengco graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2010 where he was elected to student government, co-chaired Queer Pinay/Pinoy Conference 2009, and served on the executive board of Samahang Pilipino. Jason moved to Washington, DC to intern at the White House National Economic Council and later became the first ever Tam Tran Program and Outreach Fellow for the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) where he helped organize APALA's largest national convention in history, coordinated outreach to young leaders throughout the nation, and launched the Generations United Mentorship program. Nakul Madhav Havnurkar General Motors fellow Office of Congressman Hansen Clarke (MI-13) Prior to D.C., Nakul served as Legislative Analyst for the Asian Pacific American (APA) Affairs Commission of Connecticut, a non-partisan agency charged with providing legislative recommendations of social and economic concern to the APA community to legislative leaders and the governor. In that capacity, Nakul provided written and oral legislative testimony, research, and public relations communications for the Commission on state-level healthcare, education, and immigration issues. Each current fellow has shown noteworthy dedication to the various community-driven initiatives he/she is passionate about, and we look forward to bringing them to the federal forefront and providing the opportunity to further their participation in public service. In addition to the primary sponsors Anheuser-Busch, Walmart, and General Motors, APAICS would also like to thank the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Google and Southwest Airlines for supporting our 2011-2012 class of fellows. To learn more about APAICS Fellowship program, please click here. To see a comprehensive list of all APAICS Fellowship alumni including their respective bios and current positions, click here. Back to top
APAICS and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Announce Strategic Partnership to Build Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Political Pipeline
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From left to right: Krystal Ka'ai, CAPAC Asst. Coordinator, Terrina Gogue, APAICS Program and Communications Associate, Robin Danner, CNHA President & CEO,
DOI Asst. Secy. Anthony Babauta, Michelle Kauhane, Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands Deputy Director and Lisa Hasegawa, National CAPACD Executive Director
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APAICS and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) announced their strategic partnership to build the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) political pipeline at CNHA's recent 10th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention, Community Leaders & Solutions - Where Success Happens. The milestone convention was held in Honolulu, Hawai'i and drew around 1,000 attendees from all the islands of Hawai'i, Indian Country, Alaska, and the Pacific.
APAICS and CNHA announced their strategic partnership at the convention's traditional Public Policy Luncheon. APAICS and CNHA's complementary values and expertise will strengthen the voices of NHPIs by expanding opportunities in government and public service for this underserved community.
CNHA champions capacity building for Native communities in Hawai'i and in the Pacific, and serves as the unified voice for member organizations to improve and promote various sectors of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander life.
"This could not be happening at a better time for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders," said Robin Danner, President & CEO of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. "APAICS is an outstanding partner that can expand on the work of our Next Generation Leadership Project to increase the exposure of emerging leaders in our community to become involved in policy making careers whether through public office, in the administration of local, state or federal government, or with community-based advocacy efforts that are so vital to NHPI populations. We were thrilled to welcome APAICS to the 10th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention."
APAICS provides Asian Pacific American elected officials with training and resources to provide them the skills and network they need to advance their careers, and also offers internship and fellowship program in Washington, D.C.
Hawai'i State Rep. Scott Nishimoto, an alumni of APAICS's Fellowship Program said, "I am living proof of how APAICS has helped to open the doors of possibilities and made them a reality. Since my selection as the first Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellow in 1997, I have worked in U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye's office, graduated from law school, and been elected at age 28 to the State House of Representatives in Hawaii. Just as APAICS has provided me with the encouragement and support, I hope that what I've accomplished ignites the same spark for other APIAs, especially among the younger generation, to run for office or participate in public service. This partnership with CNHA will ensure that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders youth and community leaders have access to experiences that will propel their careers in public service."
In Hawai'i, APAICS staff, Terrina Gogue, also met with its long-time partner, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), to discuss more opportunities to connect NHPI local and state elected officials with national policymakers in Washington, D.C.
Martha Ross, APAICS National Advisory Council Member, and Special Assistant to CEO at OHA said, "The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is (OHA) is pleased to be a strategic partner with APAICS since 2003. I am honored to serve on the Advisory Council and our DC Bureau Chief, Tim Johnson is an Inouye APAICS Fellow. We look forward to continuing our work with APAICS, along with this exciting new MOA with CNHA and APAICS' continuing outreach and partnerships to other organizations of the Hawaiian community. In this way, APAICS expands political leadership development and opportunities for Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Americans at all levels of government. Mahalo."
APAICS looks forward to growing their partnership with CNHA, OHA and other NHPI organizations to support Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
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APAICS Fellowship Alumnus
Paulo Pontemayor
Awarded Bryce Harlow Fellowship
Paulo Pontemayor, APAICS Alumnus
(2005 Summer Internship; 2007-2008 Fellowship)
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Paulo Pontemayor, the 2007-2008 Coca-Cola / Norman Y. Mineta Foundation Fellow in 2007-2008 and a Summer Intern in 2005, has recently been awarded a Bryce Harlow Fellowship.
The BRYCE HARLOW FOUNDATION, named for one of the most well-known and well respected business lobbyists in the nation's capital, encourages individuals interested in a career in public affairs, government relations or lobbying through scholarships and mentorship opportunities.
A prestigious award, the competitive fellowship is offered to individuals who have demonstrated high academic achievement and strong leadership skills. The Foundation considers its Bryce Harlow Scholars to be the future of professional advocacy - those who are committed to practicing the art of lobbying with the highest level of integrity.
Paulo began his career in D.C. as an APAICS intern in 2005, working with Congresswoman Bordallo. He returned to the Capitol in 2007 after being awarded an APAICS fellowship, where he worked with Congressman Becerra, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus.
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During his APAICS fellowship, Paulo worked on education, housing, budget and commerce issues. He worked to include priorities important to the Congressman in the Higher Education Act Re-Authorization of 2007, which was signed into law.
After Paulo's APAICS Fellowship came to a close in June of 2008, he was hired by Congresswoman Bordallo as a Legislative Assistant managing her work on the Natural Resources Committee, health issues as CAPAC Health task force chair during the historic Affordable Care Act debate and other domestic social policy initiatives.
Currently, Paulo is working full time as a Policy Analyst with the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum while attending the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, working towards a Masters of Public Health focusing on health policy.
We are thrilled to see another one of our fellowship alumni advance in their public service careers and wish him the best in this new endeavor.
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APAICS Welcomes New Program and Communications Associate Terrina Gogue
Terrina Gogue, APAICS Program and Communications Associate
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APAICS welcomes Terrina Gogue as its new Program and Communications Associate. Ms. Gogue has been an APAICS intern for several months. Previously, she interned for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), both in the office of its current chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32), and in the office of its former chair Rep. Michael Honda (CA-15).
"I am excited to begin the new position at APAICS and to work with true visionaries on its board and staff," said Ms. Gogue. "Strengthening the Asian American and Pacific Islander political pipeline personally means a lot to me. I am honored to have the opportunity to further empower our communities through new and diverse partnerships."
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Ms. Gogue earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland's School of Public Health where she studied the effects of the built-environment and an individual's physical activity experience. While attending the University of Maryland, Ms. Gogue co-founded the Kinesiology Student Assocaition where university students organized community projects emphasizing the importance of physical activity, wellness and building professional relationships.
"Terrina brings exciting, positive energy to APAICS," said APAICS President and CEO Gloria Chan. "Her passion for giving voice to diverse communities will help APAICS reach our next level of community engagement and empowerment."
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Coming Soon:
APAICS Third Annual Golf Classic
Please visit the following link for sponsorship packages and/or registration rates: Registration and Sponsorship sheet
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The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a national non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian Pacific American participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office. Founded in 1994 by former Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, APAICS serves as a resource to Congress and the general public on issues related to the political advancement of Asian Pacific Americans. |
