tammy duckworth is coming to the party

An update on Asian Pacific Americans for Progress' National AAPI House Party with Konrad Ng, happening Sunday, May 31 from 4:00-6:00pm EST... Have you made plans to take part? I just heard that Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs, will also be joining in on the call:

Duckworth and others to join Ng

APAP is pleased to announce an additional speaker for the conference call. Previously-announced guest Konrad Ng, President Barack Obama's brother-in-law, will kick off the program. Joining him will be members of the Obama Administration including Tammy Duckworth. (At this time, we have also invited Sonal Shah, the head of the new Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.)

Tammy Duckworth currently serves as Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs where she implemented many programs for service members in the areas of health care, mental health, housing, and employment. Under her leadership, the state has become a leader in the provision of services for its veterans. As a Major in the Illinois Army National Guard, Ms. Duckworth also received various prestigious decorations for her service in Iraq. Many have seen her most recently as a speaker at the 2008 Democratic National Convention where she was given a prime-time speaking slot and led a tribute to service members and veterans.

The aim of the House Parties is to unite constituents in raising awareness of AAPI concerns and build solidarity as communities across the nation work to advance AAPI interests. The AAPI community has shown itself to be a strong force in activism, as 63% of AAPI voters as well as countless AAPIs worked on the campaign trail to help bring about the historic election of President Obama. This House Party is intended to stimulate dialogue and mobilize AAPIs to channel their energy for activism towards issues in recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

If you are interested in participating in this nation-wide conversation with these prominent speakers, please consider hosting a house party with friends and family. For more information on hosting a party, please email Patrice.Yao@gmail.com For updates on house party locations, please visit www.apaforprogress.org

The call will allow community organizers and activists from all across the country to hear from the Administration and its plans for an AAPI agenda. After the call, each local party will engage in a small group discussion. APAP will then compile these reports and submit them back to the Administration. To learn more about attending or hosting the National AAPI House Party, visit the APAP website here.