New D.C. APIA Commissioners Sworn In

By Michelle Phipps-Evans

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mayor Vincent C. Gray administered the oath of office to newly appointed members of the District of Columbia’s Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Affairs, Feb. 8 at the John A. Wilson Building. D.C. About a hundred guests looked on as nine community members and 10 government agency ex-officio members were sworn in.

The Commission advises the mayor, and advocates for the AAPI community. Members meet monthly with Soohyun “Julie” Koo, director of the Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, to receive updates on programs, initiatives, issues, and to offer reports from their respective neighborhoods or agencies, as well as to discuss ways to serve the AAPI community.

Noting that there had been nine vacancies for several years, Koo said, “The mayor had spent time trying to fill these vacancies, finding the best people.”

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Koo’s office hosted a Lunar New Year-themed reception where guests dined on a variety of Asian dishes. For more on the ceremony, and for a list of the Commission Members and contact information, visit www.AsianFortune.com.