Committee of 100 Newsletter

President Obama Nominates Committee Member Gary Locke for Commerce Secretary

February 2009 | By Jane Leung Larson

President Barack Obama nominated a Committee of 100 member, two-term Washington Governor Gary Locke, as Secretary of Commerce on February 25. If confirmed, Locke will be the first Chinese American to hold that post. Locke will be returning to a long career of public service after three years in the private sector, where he has headed the China practice for the law firm, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, and also focused on energy, government relations and corporate diversity.

In the words of the President:

Committee of 100 Member Ivan K. Fong Nominated for Obama Administration Position

January 2009 | By Jane Leung Larson

Ivan K. Fong, one of the top Asian American lawyers in corporate America and currently the Chief Legal Officer and Secretary for Cardinal Health, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to be Homeland Security General Counsel. Fong would serve under Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who said on January 29, “Ivan’s extensive private sector and senior government experience will provide invaluable counsel in managing the complex issues and important tasks we take on daily.”

From Front Stage to the Parties, Committee Members Celebrate Presidential Inauguration

January 2009 | By Jane Leung Larson

While cellist Yo-Yo Ma was front stage for President Obama’s inauguration, many other members enjoyed the Asian American activities around Washington to celebrate the historic occasion.

A quartet with Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and pianist Gabriela Montero played “Air and Simple Gifts,” a short composition written by John Williams especially for the inauguration. With sub-freezing temperatures, neither Perlman nor Ma could use their ancient instruments, and although they played live without amplification, what most people heard was taped the day before, indoors. Ma and Perlman had both performed for Obama fundraising events during the election campaign. A New York Times story, “The Frigid Fingers Were Live, but the Music Wasn’t” tells more. (Read This Article)
Click here to see the video of the performance.

Presidential Campaign Draws Active Participation by Members

November 2008 | By Jane Leung Larson

A number of Committee of 100 members exercised their political right to take a stand in the 2008 presidential election, campaigning vigorously for their candidates. From addressing rallies to canvassing, lending their names to political advertisements, raising funds, or donating their talents, Committee members made their voices heard this year. Below are just a few of their stories.

Asian Americans Solidify Democratic Allegiance in 2008

November 2008 | By Jane Leung Larson

According to preliminary reports, Barack Obama was the choice of 62% of Asian Americans, who were one of three minority groups (African American, 95%, and Hispanic, 67%) voting heavily for the Democrat this year (Whites favored McCain, 55%). McCain won 35% of the Asian American vote. (Read The National Election Poll Results)

Although Asian Americans made up only 2% of all American voters, in some critical states such as Virginia where they make up a greater part of the population, their votes can make the difference. [See Robert Gee's comments in Member News-Newsmakers this issue.] Since the 2004 presidential election, Asian Americans have moved further to the Democratic column, with 54% voting for John Kerry.