DNC Chairman Welcomes New APIA Caucus Members and Officers

Washington, DC - Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today congratulated the new Asian Pacific Islander American caucus officers elected over the weekend at the DNC’s Fall Meeting in Phoenix. Dean also welcomed new APIA caucus members, who participated in the Fall Meeting for the first time as his appointees.

The caucus unanimously voted to elect Bel Leong-Hong, a Chinese American DNC member from Gaithersburg, MD, as its new Chair, and Brickwood Galuteria the Chair of the Hawaii Democratic Party as its new Secretary/Treasurer. Mona Mohib from Washington, DC was re-elected as Vice Chair. All officers were voted in unanimously.

In attendance at the meeting were the two newest members of the APIA Caucus, Dr. Kamil Hasan of Saratoga, CA, and Minnesota State Senator Mee Moua. Dr. Hasan is a representative of the Indian American community and Senator Moua is the first Hmong American elected to the Minnesota State Senate. Both members were appointed by Chairman Dean and bring the APIA caucus membership to a total of 18 members.

"My heartfelt congratulations go out to the new APIA caucus members and officers," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. "A great deal of the work that lies ahead for our Party as we move toward nationwide victories in 2006 will take place at the grassroots level, and these officers will play an important role in that effort. I'm also proud to preside over the most diverse slate of at-large and standing committee members in the history of the DNC. From the grassroots to elected officials, this new slate looks like America and represents the best of the Democratic Party. I look forward to working closely with our new caucus officers and new members as we seek to rebuild the sense of community in America. Together, America can do better."

The New APIA Caucus members and officers are:

-Bel Leong-Hong (DNC Member)Caucus Chair

-Mona Mohib (Washington, DC)
Vice Chair

-Brickwood Galuteria (Chair, Hawaii Democratic Party)
Secretary/Treasurer

New members:

-Dr. Kamil Hasan (California)

-Mee Moua (State Senator, Minnesota)