Need Your Help: Time Running Out on Judge Ed Chen’s Nomination

Posted on 29th July 2010 in politics

As you may know, Judge Edward Chen was nominated to the federal district court in San Francisco by President Obama in August, 2009. His nomination has been now pending for nearly one year — he is the longest waiting judicial nominee under this administration. Despite being highly qualified, Judge Chen has been unfairly subjected to delay and obstruction.

More than 1,800 of you from across the country signed letters in support of Judge Chen — and this demonstration of support has made a difference.

But time is running out. It is important that Judge Chen be confirmed by the Senate before the August recess which could start the first week of August. Once again, we ask your support in urging the Senate leadership to schedule a vote on Judge Chen’s confirmation.

If you’ve already signed a letter of support for Judge Chen, please forward this email and ask others to visit http://fairjudges.net to sign the support letter. If you haven’t signed a letter, please visit http://fairjudges.net. Signing the letter online takes only a few minutes.

Judge Chen’s nomination is important. He would be the first Chinese American ever to serve on the district court that serves the diverse San Francisco Bay Area. And Judge Chen has a long history of public service and commitment to justice:

  • Judge Chen represented Fred Korematsu in Fred’s historic suit overturning his WWII conviction for refusing to comply with the Japanese internment order;
  • Judge Chen has represented victims of race and language discrimination and sought to protect civil rights throughout his legal career;
  • As a federal magistrate judge for the last 9 years, Judge Chen has earned a sterling judicial record and gained the support and respect of all sectors of the bar.
  • Judge Chen received the highest rating possible from the American Bar Association — unanimously well qualified.

Again, time is running out. It is important that Judge Chen be confirmed by the Senate before the August recess.

Your continued support is needed and appreciated.

Visit http://fairjudges.net and show your support by signing the letter today!

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A Fundraiser Across the Bay for Jennifer Pae on Aug. 5

Posted on 29th July 2010 in people, politics

Please join us on Aug. 5 at Mercury Lounge to support our friend and tireless community activist Jennifer Pae as she comes across the bay to help build her campaign for Oakland City Council District 2.

I’m proud to join an event host committee that includes David Chiu, Phil Ting, Fiona Ma, Steve Ngo, Angelica Jongco, Colbert Tse, Genevieve Jopanda, Gladys Soto, Keesa Ocampo, Lisa Le, Andy Wong and Zoe Dunning.

The event takes place on Thursday August 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Mercury Lounge, 1582 Folsom Street (between 12th St and Norfolk St), in San Francisco.

Suggested donation levels are $35, $100, $250 and $700. Contributions to Jennifer Pae for Oakland City Council 2010 (FPPC #1326068) are not tax deductible. Maximum contribution of $700 per contributor. For more information, visit http://jenniferpae.com.

RSVP via email at vote@jenniferpae.com. Or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132435350131230

If you don’t know Jennifer, here’s in her own words why she’s running.  I hope you can join me in supporting her!

Jennifer Pae: Now is the time

Oakland faces significant challenges in unemployment, schools and safety. Budget decisions we make this year will impact our lives for years to come. So we need fresh solutions and leadership that brings a deep commitment to community into City Hall. My campaign is grounded in the belief that local government can better serve our basic needs and set up our community for long-term success. It’s possible for us to regain our faith in Oakland City Hall. With your support and investment in my campaign, I will champion a set of policy solutions that will help create a city that will make us proud.

I’ve been listening

I have spent months listening to the concerns of hundreds of parents, merchants, and community leaders in District 2, and we all agree that we face serious and deeply rooted problems. It is not surprising that Oakland residents have lost faith in their government.

I know we can do better, and I am prepared to help lead the way. I hope you will join me, and together, we will build a strong future for Oakland.

Bringing my national experience home

I grew up watching my mother, a first-generation immigrant who raised two children while working and studying to become a nurse, demonstrate what hard work and perseverance can create. Thanks to her success, I have been able to serve as a community organizer, public policy advocate, and an effective leader for change at the local, state and national levels. I served as President of a national organization where I worked closely with the White House, Department of Education, and Congress on key issues affecting education. I currently serve on the Oakland Community Policing Advisory Board and advocate for better public safety policies in our neighborhoods.

I’ll need your time and financial support to make this campaign a success. Please consider investing in our campaign for Oakland by making a donation and signing up to volunteer.

Your support will help us reach voters who want to believe in Oakland again.

Together we can,
Jennifer Pae

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Asian American Community Gathers to Dance for Asian Women’s Shelter

Posted on 26th July 2010 in community, fundraiser

Popular local community band PULSE and R&B singer Colette Ikemi will be performing at the 3rd Annual Benefit Dance for the Asian Women’s Shelter (www.SFAWS.org). This event will be on Saturday, September 25, 2010, 7:00pm – 12:00am, at St. Mary’s Cathedral Event Center, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. Last year’s event was a huge success. For tickets ($25) or sponsorship opportunities, email AWSdance@yahoo.com.

The Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS) was founded in 1988 to provide immediate crisis services to domestic violence survivors and children, especially those who are immigrants and refugees. AWS connects these women and children to legal, medical, and long-term services, and has provided thousands of shelter bed nights to them. 100% of women and children improve their nutrition and health while residing at AWS. AWS is committed to every person’s right to live in a violence-free home. Please support and join us in creating a future free from violence.

The talented PULSE band started in SF Japantown over 25 years ago, and is still going strong playing Funk, R&B and Rock music. The band is a favorite at Bay Area community events and clubs, and is composed of some of the best-known Asian American musicians in the Bay Area. PULSE remains true to its goal of providing exciting music with veteran musicians Billy Shen on guitar, Carey Huang on keyboards, Derrick Tong on bass, Arthur Wong on drums, and vocalists Mel Banez, Eva Chew, and Cris Dumandan-Garcia. www.myspace.com/PulseSF

Colette Ikemi is Japantown’s legendary diva who has performed with bands Hiroshima and Pulse. She has a truly soulful and romantic style of singing. Colette is a local favorite jazz/R&B singer who continues to perform at many community events such as the Cherry Blossom Festivals and Nihonmachi Street Fairs. www.ColetteIkemi.com

An AWS former resident says it best, “Since the first day I moved to AWS my world has turned from darkness, paranoia, and fear into a better life. No longer do my children and I have to cry. Now the three of us have only smiles, music, and laughter. We have learned more about human rights, law, communal living, and language.  We have a second chance in life.”

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to buy tickets or sponsorships, please call June at 415-271-3290 or email June at AWSdance@yahoo.com.

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Filipina American Selected as Chief Justice of Calif. Supreme Court

Posted on 21st July 2010 in community, politics

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye as his choice for chief justice of the California Supreme Court.

“Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye has a distinguished history of public service and understands that the role of a justice is not to create law, but to independently and fairly interpret and administer the law,” said Governor Schwarzenegger.

“She is a living example of the American Dream and when she is confirmed by the voters in November, Judge Cantil-Sakauye will become California’s first Filipina chief justice; adding to our High Court’s already rich diversity.”

Cantil-Sakauye has roots in Hawai’i.

Since 2005, Cantil-Sakauye has served as an associate justice for the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. Previously, she was a superior court judge for the Sacramento County Superior Court from 1997 to 2004 and a municipal court judge for the Sacramento County Municipal Court from 1990 to 1997. Cantil-Sakauye worked for the Office of Governor Deukmejian as a deputy legislative secretary from 1989 to 1990 and as a deputy legal affairs secretary from 1988 to 1989. She was a deputy district attorney for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office from 1984 to 1988.

Cantil-Sakauye is a member of the California Judicial Council, and is vice chair of the Rules and Projects Committee and Judicial Recruitment and Retention Working Group. She is a member of the Commission on Impartial Courts, chair of the Judicial Branch Financial Accountability and Efficiency Advisory Committee and president of the Anthony M. Kennedy Inn of Court.

“It is a privilege and a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to serve as chief justice of the California Supreme Court,” said Cantil-Sakauye. “I have had the distinct pleasure of being a municipal court judge, a superior court judge and an appellate court justice. Being nominated to serve on the highest court in California is a dream come true. I deeply respect the inspirational and visionary work of Chief Justice Ronald George and hope to build upon it. As a jurist, woman and a Filipina, I am extremely grateful for the trust Governor Schwarzenegger has placed in me. I hope to show young people what they can achieve if they follow their dreams and reach for their full potential.”

Cantil-Sakauye, 50, of Sacramento, earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis. Cantil-Sakauye is a Republican.

The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Chief Justice Ronald M. George on January 2, 2011. The compensation for this position is $238,010.

The Governor’s nomination for chief justice must be submitted to the State Bar’s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. Once confirmed by the commission, the nominee will appear on the November 2nd ballot for voter approval.

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Help Us Send Doctors to Haiti on Aug. 7

Posted on 20th July 2010 in events, fundraiser, service

On August 7, I’m joining a few friends in co-hosting a fundraiser organized by Grace Keh and Yuni Chang to help the Haiti Relief Project, coordinated by Jordan International Aid (http://www.jordaninternationalaid.org), which will send a strong team of ten doctors and volunteers to continue the recovery efforts ongoing in Haiti.

UPDATE 7/25: Event has been moved to Aug. 7 so that we can hold at 111 Minna.  See doctorstohaiti.orgfor the most up-to-date information.

The host committee includes Dave Lu, Kevin Lee, Benjamin Wan and Darlene Lee. Grace and Yuni, aka KC Productions, are organizing this fundraiser to supplement the cost of sending these ten volunteers to Haiti.

RSVP on Facebook.

Five days after the earthquake, JIA was there beginning the work that continues even today. In fact, the president of JIA just left last week for Haiti again, continuing to help Haitians rebuild and recover from the devastating earthquake that demolished Port-au-Prince in January of this year.

It has been over six months now, but let’s not forget the devastation that took place there with over 230,000 lives lost.

Please see the event website (http://www.doctorstohaiti.org) for more information about the event.

$25 donation for admission; any and all additional donations will be appreciated. Your generosity makes a life-changing difference to the lives of many Haitian victims. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please e-mail events@gracekeh.com.

We hope to see you all for this exciting event!

Cross-posted from keithpr.com.

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