On May 14, Advancing Justice Southern California celebrated AAPI Heritage Month in Sacramento with over 60 guests in the Capitol Community!
AAPI Heritage Month bears a significant meaning especially for Sacramento. In the 1850s, Chinese workers arrived in the area in search of gold, and they stayed to build the transcontinental railroad that began in Old Town Sacramento.
The completion of the railroad transformed the United States but Chinese workers, who represented 90 percent of the West Coast workforce, were completely left out of the iconic photograph that defined a critical moment of U.S. history. Their stories are often untold and forgotten – but not anymore.
This month as we celebrate our history, we continue to uplift our untold stories in the hall of the state capitol, and recognize those who lead the progress in policy making and representation.
With Assemblymembers Mike Fong, Alex Lee, Liz Ortega, and Damon Connolly, we honored four distinguished leaders in the Capitol who have tirelessly uplifted Asian Americans’ untold stories.
(Left to right) Aseemblymembers Mike Fong and Ash Kalra, Damon Connolly, Former Chief of Staff Jessica Duong, Chief of Staff Allison Lim, Assemblymembers Liz Ortega, Assemblymembers Phil Ting and Alex Lee)
Guest Bri-Ann Hernandez signing the AAPI visibility pledge board.
AJSOCAL Heritage Month Celebration in Sacramento attracted over 60 guests on May 14, 2024.
The four awardees were:
- Assemblymember Phil Ting, Legacy of Courage Award
- Assemblymember Ash Kalra, Visionary Legislator Award
- Allison Lim, Change Catalyst Award
- Jessica Duong, Changemaker for Equity Award
Assemblymember Phil Ting accepting the Legacy of Courage Award.
Assemblymember Phil Ting: Former Assembly Budget Chair from 2015-2023, the first Asian American Assemblymember to hold this position, has left a remarkable legacy, including a historic investment of $166.5 million API Equity budget to increase resources and services to combat hate against the API community.
Mr. Ting also led the successful budget allocation so bilingual workers in community based organizations are able to receive additional stipends for their language skills. As his 12-year term ends this year, we wish Assemblymember Ting great success and thank him for his courage to speak up for all Californians, and unwavering commitment to uplift Asian American stories across all policy and budget committees.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra with the Visionary Legislator Award
Assemblymember Ash Kalra was recognized with the Visionary Legislator Award. Last year, Mr. Kalra authored AB 943, a legislation that finally brings light to the diverse populations in our prison system. This piece of legislation, signed by the Governor, expanded reported population categories from four to 32. With the implementation of this bill, the state will finally recognize the API and other historically under-reported populations in our prison and jail systems. Instead of reporting people under the “other” category, California will have an opportunity to ensure better outcomes for these populations by better identifying and understanding their challenges and needs. We thank Assemblymember Kalra’s vision and commitment to uplift stories that are often untold for the Asian American community.
When it comes to partnerships in the Capitol, there are two invaluable Legislative staffers we recognized.
Allison Lim with the Change Catalyst Award.
The Change Catalyst Award went to Allison Lim. Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Alex Lee, Allison plays a critical role as a connector between API advocates and the Legislature. As AJSOCAL hosted an educational tour earlier this year to the southern border in response to the increase of Asian migrants and lack of language resources available , Allison helped ensure participation of the Jewish, LGBTQ and Black Caucus at the trip. We thank Allison for the change she’s helped inspire in the Capitol.
Chief of Staff Allison Lim, along with her staff and Member. (Left to right: Jessica Langtry, Assembly Human Services Committee Consultant, Assemblymember Alex Lee, Allison Lim, Scheduler Karen Chow, and Assembly Human Services Committee Consultant Bri-Ann Hernandez)
Jessica Duong receiving the Changemaker for Equity Award.
Former Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Phil Ting, Jessica is currently the Legislative Director at the University of California, Office of the President. In her respectable, long tenure with Assemblymember Ting, Jessica established herself as a supportive and encouraging ally, always available to advocates and willing to hear their concerns leading to more inclusive policies. One of these many achievements was the successful allocation of $5 million in 2022 that is now helping to get more Asian-language teachers accredited to teach in our dual-immersion classrooms. Because of this funding, California is poised to celebrate the first Khmer-accredited teachers in state history. Jessica’s career is a testament to her commitment to equity and progress, and we are excited to see her leadership impact with UCOP.
In Sacramento, AJSOCAL’s works to advance policies and budget allocations that are inclusive of all Californians – including all our API siblings. This work cannot be done alone, we thank our partner organizations and leaders, such as our honorees, within the Capitol who lead the charge to better the lives of our communities. Our work is far from being done, we will continue to uplift the untold stories of our communities until the day they are fully recognized as the part of the past, present and future story of California.
Jessica Duong with Assemblymember Ting and current and former staff members of Assemblymember Ting (Left to right: Assemblymember Ting’s Senior Legislative Aide, Melissa Sagun, Chief of Staff Tania Tikho, Honoree Jessica Duong, Assemblymember Phil Ting, Honoree Allison Lim (also formerly with Team Ting), AJSOCAL’s Policy Strategist Benjamin Tran, Legislative Aide Arali Seneviratne, and Maria Morales, now with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality)
