On September 29, 2006, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will host
the first ever “DC Summit” at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. The DC Summit stands for “Developing Communities” and will be the first White House Summit designed specifically for chambers of commerce and economic development organizations that serve Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The purpose of the DC Summit is to offer an opportunity for participants to network, compare best practices, and increase their capacity to serve AAPI communities.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, the first Asian American woman appointed to a President’s cabinet,
has been invited to greet DC Summit participants. Former Secretary of Treasury Norman Y. Mineta will
deliver the keynote speech at the awards luncheon. Secretary Mineta is the first Asian American ever to
be appointed to a President’s cabinet, and the longest serving Secretary in the history of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Confirmed speakers include Stephen Galvan, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Jimmy Lee, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans andPacific Islanders, and Betty Wu, Acting Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services’ Office of Grants.
Workshop and panel topics include “Effective Relationships and Partnerships with the US Federal Government,” “Effective Fundraising and Grant Writing,” and “Effective Corporate Partnerships.”
One of the highlights of the DC Summit will involve meeting Members of Congress in a reception
coordinated with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
“We really hope to emphasize the importance of developing relationships with elected officials, as well
as with local federal agency offices,” said WHIAAPI Executive Director Jimmy Lee, “These relationships
will allow chambers of commerce and economic development organizations to increase their resources and ability to serve their communities.”
The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP with Andrew Han: phone 202.482.3949, fax 202.501.6239, or e-mail ahan@mbda.gov. |
