OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates recognizes President Carter’s contributions in advancing the rights of Asian Americans and raising awareness of Asian American achievements
(January 9, 2025) – On the day that President Carter’s official state funeral begins in Washington, D.C., OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates (“OCA”) and its chapters, including OCA Georgia, remember President Carter’s lifetime of accomplishments including his contributions to the Asian American community. During his presidency, President Carter recognized the accomplishments and the issues important to Asian Americans. In 1979, President Carter signed Presidential Proclamation 4650 that designated May 4, 1979, as the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. Following President Carter’s lead, OCA was instrumental in advocating for and further establishing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, now celebrated every May. Further, President Carter signed bipartisan legislation into law establishing the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, which investigated the facts surrounding Executive Order 9066. The Commission ultimately recognized the gross injustices against Japanese American WWII survivors and their families, leading the way to a formal apology including funding reparations to the survivors. President Carter continued to further Asian American interests for over 40 years after his Presidency ended in 1981 through the generous work of the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Since its founding in 1983, OCA Georgia, the Georgia chapter of OCA, has hosted numerous events at The Carter Center including its 35th Anniversary Gala event in 2018 to recognize the achievements of local Asian American community leaders.“President Carter was responsible for signing presidential proclamations and executive actions that deeply impacted the AANHPI community,” said OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates President Sharon Wong. “These presidential actions highlighted AANHPI communities across the country and emphasized that we, too, belong.” OCA Georgia President Brian Lin remarked, “President Carter was an exceptional citizen, who served not only the State of Georgia and the United States, but also sought positive change for millions of people around the world. Asian Americans are grateful for President Carter’s leadership and persistence throughout his life, and we will deeply mourn his passing.”
OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.
In celebrating Wing Chong Luke's 100th birthday anniversary, hear more about the impact and legacy he made for Seattle and abroad. On May 16, 1965, civil rig...
C.A.C.A. Seattle will hold its 14th Annual Banquet on June 1, 2025, 5:30pm at Seattle Harbor (formerly China Harbor) to celebrate the 2025 Fred Yee Citizenship Award honorees - Mary Knell, Tim Louie, and Kin On – for their leadership and service to communities of Seattle. We will also be announcing winners of the Seattle awards for the C.A.C.A. National Essay contest.
Tickets are available now:
Table of 10 $650 Individual, member $70 Individual, non-member $95 (Membership is only $20!)
2025 Ed Lee Memorial Golf TournamentJune 21, 20258:00 am - 1:00 pmAuburn Golf Course, 29630 Green River Rd SE, Auburn, WA 98092, USASee more details
•
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Walk for Rice 2025
Walk for Rice 2025June 28, 20259:00 am - 12:00 pmSeward Park, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118, USA
Walking to End Hunger, One Grain at a Time
For over 30 years, Walk for Rice has brought people together to raise funds for the ACRS Food Bank and nutrition programs while raising awareness about food insecurity in Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities. The campaign kicks off in the spring and concludes with a multicultural community celebration and three-mile walk at Seward Park in June.
Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities are diverse and growing, yet many face barriers to securing food, emergency meals, and other basic necessities. The ACRS Food Bank ensures those experiencing food insecurity can receive culturally familiar items like rice, tofu, dry noodles, and fresh produce such as bok choy. Each year, the Food Bank distributes around one million pounds of food to around 5,000 people, the majority seniors and children.
Since the first walk in 1990 by co-founders Sam Mitsui and Herb and Bertha Tsuchiya, Walk for Rice has grown from 45 walkers to hundreds of participants each year, raising more than $4 million to fight hunger in our region. Join the community and Walk for Rice!
OCA Greater Seattle is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Donations are tax deductible. Please use “Organization Of Chinese Americans Inc” for tax purposes. Tax ID # 91-1668038.
OCA is not-for-profit, non-partisan organization representing over 10,000 people nationally, including affiliates, college affiliates, Young OCA, OCA Young Professionals, and general membership.
Contact Us
OCA – Greater Seattle
P.O. Box 14141, Seattle, WA 98114
info@ocaseattle.org
OCA National Office
oca@ocanational.org
(202) 223-5500
