Presidential PEARL GALA

By Michelle Phipps-Evans

Washington’s AAPI stars sparkled brightly the night of January 20, coming out in celebration not only of President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, but also for the unprecedented increase in Asian American representation in Congress. The Pearl Inaugural Gala was held at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, filling two ballrooms with men looking dashing in black tie and women gliding by in floor-length gowns. 1,200 guests mingled and danced or listened to a variety of live musical performances and enjoyed Asian-inspired dishes such as dumplings, tandoori shrimp, sushi, and more.

The audience gawked as the Chinese dragon wound its way in dance through the room. Some also gawked at the Asian American political luminaries in attendance, while others engaged them in conversation. The parade of power started with new Asian American Congressional leaders, including Senator Mazie Hirono, who has a trio of firsts on her resume: first elected female senator from Hawaii, first Asian American woman elected to the Senate, and the nation’s first Buddhist senator.

“I am proud to be with the delegation from Hawaii, three of whom are women,” Senator Hirono said. “We need more of us in every walk of life. I want to make sure the people behind me and at the side of me don’t have to wait 30 years to get to where they need to be.”

New U.S. Rep. Ladda Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, also is a triple threat: the first Asian-American woman elected from Illinois, the first disabled woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first born in Thailand. Other freshman House-mates on hand to meet and greet party-goers were Ami Bera, a physician from California; Grace Meng, a lawyer from New York, and Mark Takano, a teacher from California and the first non-white openly gay member. Tulsi Gabbard, the first American Samoan, and the first Hindu member from Hawaii, did not address the audience. The freshmen were joined by senior House colleagues, including Mike Honda and Judy Chu, both from California; and Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii.

NBC News correspondent and anchor Richard Lui served as master of ceremonies as the evening paid tribute to the late Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, the most senior U.S. senator at the time of his recent passing, as well as a Medal of Honor recipient. Inouye’s widow, Irene Hirano, seemed touched by the outpouring of affection. “Dan did so much for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and he continues to encourage others to break boundaries,” she said above the din of the festivities.

Long-serving Congressman Bobby Scott from Virginia, of African American and Filipino descent, was spotted. Representing the Obama administration were Christopher Lu, White House cabinet secretary and co-chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and David Mineta, deputy director of Demand Reduction for the Office of National Drug Control Policy.