Speaker Carl Heastie Appoints Assemblyman Ron Kim to Head the Legislative Task Force on New Americans

MEDIA CONTACT:
Yuh-Line Niou, Office of AM Ron Kim
[email protected] | (360) 513-8562

Albany, New York – Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie officially announced that Assemblyman Ron Kim will be the new chair and head of the Legislative Task Force on New Americans. Founded in 2001, this task force has focused on researching and advocating for policies and programs that have direct impact in the immigrant communities throughout the state of New York.

Speaker Carl Heastie states, “I am pleased to announce that the Assembly Task Force on New Americans will be chaired by Assemblymember Ron Kim, who in 2012 earned the distinction of becoming the first Korean-American elected to office in the State of New York. Our state has been the nation’s international gateway for over 150 years and today, is home to one of the largest immigrant populations in the world. It is because of their rich contributions that we have become a beacon for cultural awareness and diversity. I look forward to Assemblymember Kim’s leadership and to the efforts this Task Force will undertake to improve the lives of these special New Yorkers who are such a celebrated part of our country and our state’s identity.”

Assemblyman Ron Kim states, “As the new Chair of the Task Force on New Americans, I will work with my colleagues in the state legislature to make sure we continue to provide as many opportunities for new immigrants to succeed in New York State. Whether you are a new American who wants to open a new business, attend college, or find a descent senior center, our entire nation will benefit when we can attract and retain hard-working immigrants to be part of the American Dream. In this tough and competitive global economy, we need to continue to promote policies that will perpetuate our status as the land of opportunities.”

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, the past chair of the Task Force, states, “New York’s large and growing immigrant community has a devoted lawmaker on their side and a fierce advocate for justice in Assemblyman Ron Kim. As the new Chairman of the Assembly Task Force on New Americans, he brings to this leadership position his deep-rooted concerns and understanding of the international social, political, and economic forces shaping our State.  I am honored to work with Assemblyman Kim and to support his important work to improve the lives of all those who call New York their home and especially those that call New York their new home.”

Assemblyman Francisco Moya, main sponsor of the Dream Act, states, “Assemblyman Ron Kim will make a stellar Chair of the Task Force on New Americans. He is committed to helping new immigrants become new New Yorkers. Finding effective pathways to help new immigrants become fully integrated members of the family of New York is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. I know that Assemblyman Ron Kim will lead the Task Force on New Americans with foresight and purpose.”

Steve Choi, Executive Directior of the Immigration Coalition of New York, states, “We wholeheartedly congratulate Assemblymember Ron Kim, a strong ally and friend to the New York Immigration Coalition, for his new role as the Chair of the Task Force on New Americans. We look forward to working closely with him to create more opportunities for New Americans in New York and further our State’s prosperity.”

From AsianInNY: Learning From Experiences of Asian American Leaders

AsianInNY is a proud sponsor for the Forum on Politics and Governance: Lessons from the experience of Elected Asian American Leaders at the Philippine Consulate General in New York.

Date: Feb 28th 6-8pm
Add: 556 5th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Learn from the lessons through the top Asian American Leaders including:

Congresswoman Grace Meng
State Assemblyman Ron Kim
City Council President Rolando Lavarro
Candidate 2013 NYC Council Elections Mr. Ed Santos

100 seats only including free admission, drinks and light hors d’oeuvres.

Must RSVP: http://www.asianinny.com/?p=38172

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FAM PRESS RELEASE: FAM (FILIPINO AMERICAN MUSEUM) ORGANIZES A NIGHT OF BAYANIHAN SPIRIT TO RAISE FUNDS TO BENEFIT TYPHOON HAIYAN RELIEF EFFORTS

Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 8pm

Galapagos Art Space
16 Main Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

(Flushing, Queens – November, 18, 2013) – A press conference at the District Office of New York State Assemblymember Ron Kim announced a major benefit to raise funds for Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. Organized by FAM (Filipino American Museum), the fundraiser will take place this Thursday, November 21 at the Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo, Brooklyn. With an estimated 11 million Filipinos affected, displaced or left homeless by this catastrophic event, FAM has urgently rallied an impressive group of individuals, businesses, local government officials, and community organizations to create an evening celebration of the Bayanihan Spirit. The Filipino term, ‘Bayanihan’, refers to a spirit of communal unity and effort to help build a neighbor’s home.

All proceeds will go to National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), whose “Taskforce Haiyan” is a grassroots relief effort coordinated directly between Filipinos in the US and those in affected areas of the Philippines. Funds will be spent on food, water and medical supplies and distributed by Philippines based groups. For more information, please visit NAFCON’s website by clicking here.

According to Nancy Bulalacao, a FAM founding member, “At FAM we have the ability to build a coalition that demonstrates a solidarity as New Yorkers and Asian Americans by coming together to support the real efforts for relief on the ground in the Philippines. We are artists, writers, musicians, cultural and community organizations moved by the tragedy and looking for ways to express our support. We serve constituents who are directly affected by the tragedy. What happens thousands of miles away resonates directly with us here. The level of loss in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan can be felt no matter who you are or where you live.”

Assemblymember Ron Kim states, “I join my colleagues in government and all our community members in feeling absolutely heartbroken over the recent natural disaster in the Philippines. Through the recent natural disasters that have hit our coast in the last two years, we know a fraction of what is going on now in some of the cities and towns in the islands of the Phillpines.  As part of the worldwide community, it is important to show our support and solidarity, now more than ever.  My office will continue to do what we can to support groups like FAM in raising relief funding.”

The Emcee for the evening will be Miss Info from HOT 97. The program will feature readings by Kilusan Bautista, Luis Francia, Bino Realuyo, and Lara Stapleton; music by Deep Foundation, DILIA*, Hydroponikz, !llmind, Joe Bataan, Masia One, Norman Vladimir, and Smokey Robotic; DJ sets by GETLIVE!, and Jon Santos; and a demonstration by Pekiti Tirsia Kali Elite. Food for the event will be catered by Red Egg and Salome Tarts.

FAM is grateful to the benefit’s Host Committee, comprised of Christelle de Castro, Rik Cordero, Stephen Decker, Avena Gallagher, Michelle Lopez, Josh Kline, Paul Pfeiffer, and Carissa Rodriguez. FAM also acknowledges the immense support and help from the following Community Partners: ANAKBAYAN, Asian American Arts Alliance, Asian Cinevision, Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU, Asian American Writers’ Workshop, BAYAN USA, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE NYC), Ma-Yi Theater Company, New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), New York Asian Women’s Center, Next Day Better, Assemblymember Ron Kim, Assembly District 40, The Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York (FALANY), Two Trees Management Co, UniPro.

The hashtag #FAMaid will be used throughout social media networks by FAM and by all of the partners to spread the word about the benefit.

Tickets to the event are $10 and can be purchased at the door or online.

About FAM
FAM (Filipino American Museum) is the first museum focused on examining the connection between contemporary Filipino American arts and the roots and traditions of the Philippine diaspora. A start-up committed to presenting cultural programs in stimulating and unprecedented ways, FAM is dedicated to seeking out what it is to be Filipino in America. In the spirit of a diverse people, FAM’s roving programs serve as a fluid, user-generated, inquiry-based space. An untold American story, FAM presents its findings through live performances, exhibits, installations, community forums, online content and otherwise.

Website filipinoamericanmuseum.com
Email [email protected]
Facebook facebook.com/filipinoamericanmuseum
Twitter @famnewyorkcity
Instagram @famnewyorkcity

Media Inquiries
Nancy Bulalacao
917-472-9936 or [email protected]