MEDIA ADVISORY: White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders to Hold Events with Senior Administration Officials Wednesday

Secretaries Arne Duncan and Ray LaHood and Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth to Discuss Issues Facing AAPIs in New York, Boston and Las Vegas

May 17, 2010

WASHINGTON -- (U.S. ASIAN WIRE) -- MEDIA ADVISORY: The White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders today announced details for a series of events this week to support its work to develop and coordinate federal services AAPI communities need.

Initiative Co-Chair and Education Secretary Arne Duncan will discuss education issues and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will discuss development issues with community leaders in Boston and New YorkÕs Chinatowns respectively. Assistant Secretary of Veteran Affairs Tammy Duckworth will also visit Las Vegas, Nev. to discuss veterans issues.

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May, the White House Initiative is holding events with top agency officials and community leaders from across the country in roundtable discussions on education opportunities, housing, jobs, employment issues and health disparities.

WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON AAPIS
LOCAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19
*All times local*

NEW YORK, N.Y.
12 p.m. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will meet with the Chinatown Working Group at the Chatham Green Apartments to discuss problems facing the AAPI community and innovative strategies to develop New YorkÕs Chinatown neighborhood.
165 Park Row, New York, N.Y.
OPEN PRESS
Preset: 11:30 a.m.
Final access: 11:55 a.m.

BOSTON, MASS.
12:30 p.m. Initiative Co-Chair and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will join Josiah Quincy Elementary School principal Simon Ho to tour the school and hold a roundtable discussion with AAPI community leaders on education challenges facing AAPIs and innovative approaches to delivering high-quality education to their communities.
885 Washington St., Boston, Mass.
OPEN PRESS
Preset: 12 p.m.
Final access: 12:25 p.m.

LAS VEGAS, NEV.
10:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary of Veteran Affairs Tammy Duckworth will join veteran military commanders and Filipino American veterans of World War II at the Marine Corps League Leatherneck Club to discuss problems facing their communities and innovative ways to improve accessibility to federal programs for veterans, ranging from health care to housing.
4360 W. Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, Nev.

OPEN PRESS
Preset: 10 a.m.
Final access: 10:25 a.m.

**NOTE: Space at these events is very limited. Media representatives interested in covering any of these events should reserve space by Tuesday, May 18. To reserve space, please email your name, media organization, contact information, and note which event you wish to cover to Jim Bradshaw at press@ed.gov **

CONTACT: Jim Bradshaw
202-401-1576
press@ed.gov