Mass. Asian American Commission Gets New Member

John Connolly, Boston city councilor; Diana Hwang, Connolly's chief of staff and newest appointee to the state's Asian American Commission; and Gov. Deval Patrick (Courtesy photo: Diana Hwang)

Diana Hwang, chief of staff to Boston city councilor John Connolly, is Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's newest appointee to the state's Asian American Commission.

Hwang will continue working as chief of staff while serving on the governor's commission, whose original members were sworn in at the State House on Feb. 21, 2007.

The Asian American Commission was created in 2006 as an 18-member body charged with enabling the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to "realize the full benefit of the skills, talents and cultural heritage of Asian Americans in the commonwealth," according to state legislation.

The commission serves as a liaison between government and private-interest groups on matters of concern to the state's Asians.

In addition, the legislation specifies that the commission:

• fosters unity among Asian-American communities and organizations in the commonwealth
• works to identify opportunities to improve commercial and cultural ties with Asian nations
• recommends qualified Asians for appointive positions at al levels of government, including boards and commissions
• assesses programs and practices in all state agencies as they affect Asians, as the commission deems necessary
• advises executive and legislative bodies on the potential effect on the state's Asians of proposed legislation.

Commissioners are appointed to three-year unpaid terms. The state's governor, speaker of the House of Representatives, senate president, state treasurer, state secretary, and attorney general each appoint three persons to the commission.

The Asian American Commission was created in 2006 partially in recognition of the fast growth-rate in Massachusetts of Asians and Pacific Islanders - 68% between 1990 and 2000 - and the relatively low percentage of Asians in elected or staff positions in state government.

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source: EthnicNewz.org

Copyright 2008 New England Ethnic News, EthnicNewz.org. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the expressed permission by the news source. Contact Newz for more information.

SEE ALSO:

Chapter 258 of the Acts of 2006: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMISSION

Asian American Commissioners Sworn in at (Massachusetts) State House, Feb. 21, 2007

Background of the (Massachusetts) Asian American Commission

Genesis of Legislation to Create the (Massachusetts) Asian American Commission