Amata Speaks in Nation-Wide TV Hookup

Amata Speaks in Nation-Wide TV Hookup
May 29, 2003

Reprinted from Samoa News

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) By closed circuit TV, Aumua Amata Coleman, White House Commissioner for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, today addressed U.S. Treasury employees assembled at the U.S. Mints in Philadelphia, Denver, West Point and San Francisco; and the U. S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, KY; as well as a jam-packed auditorium at the U.S. Mint Headquarters in the Nation's Capital. IRS Commissioner Larry Langdon and his career employees also attended along with Director of the Mint Henrietta Holsman Fore and her Deputy David Lebryk. Commissioner Aumua's closed circuit TV appearance was a first for the only Pacific islander on the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Since the beginning of May, Amata has accepted speaking invitations from federal government organizations all across the country in recognition of the importance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month observances and celebrations.

"In my speeches," explained Amata, I try to place special emphasis on the contributions Pacific islanders have made in a wide range of fields. Most of us are well aware of the many many contributions Asian Americans have made to American society. However, famous Pacific Islanders such as U.S.

Senator Daniel K. Akaka, and U.S. Marine Corps General Ben Blaz (ret.), the first Guamanian to attain rank of General in the U.S. military, who served as U.S. Member of Congress for Guam and was elected by his colleagues as Freshman Class President, are but a small sample of talented Pacific island individuals but it is indicative of how we islanders have permeated mainstream American society."

Amata continued: "I hope that all of us will celebrate the wealth of diversity and contributions of AAPIs and, at the same time, renew our efforts to ensure that the vulnerable segments of our population are not left behind. There is evidence that the Pacific Island community, in particular, is at a greater risk for poor health outcomes compared to most other demographics. Although the leading causes of death among Pacific islanders mirror those that are most common on the Mainland, the rates of these illnesses among islanders are much larger when compared to other populations. There are numerous variables that contribute to this phenomenon which include, but are not limited to, economic hardship, poverty, joblessness, limited access to medical services, and underutilization of public services. Cultural differences and an abandonment of traditional diet have also been cited as causes for such health disparities. Differences in medical practices and an alien perception of Western health care often inhibit Pacific Islanders from seeking even the most basic health care from medical practitioners. The core of the issue is in the need to understand the cultural strengths of these populations and ultimately, integrating these assets in promoting health and disease prevention."

"Asia Pacific Heritage Month," Aumua Amata told her audience, "gives us such a wonderful opportunity to learn about the cultures of the different groups in hopes of shaping policy to improve the standard of living of the millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders living in the United States and its associated Pacific island jurisdictions. And for our part, the Commission will encourage ways for the public and private sector as well as the Asian American and Pacific islander communities to take part in developing ways to eliminate such disparities and to promote healthier habits. Additionally our federal Interagency Working Group (IWG) on AAPIs has set three priorities for the immediate term that we will focus on: One--eliminating health disparities. Two--improving economic and community development. Three--increasing federal employment opportunities. These steps that President George W. Bush has taken enable us to achieve even more."

Commissioner Aumua Amata concluded by saying, "Your partnership and support is critical in reaching our goals. We as Americans must celebrate the successes of all, for when one individual or group succeeds, we all succeed. America is the greatest nation on earth for a reason: It is the sum of all of its parts and AAPIs have made significant contributions in all aspects of society."

Later that day, Amata was among the special guests invited to the U.S. State Department by Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage to participate in a "by invitation only" Asian Pacific American Heritage ceremony. Among the attendees were Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta; Jim Kelly, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific; U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki; several Pacific Island Ambassadors; DOI's Papaliitele David Cohen and a hundred other federal government