DOWNTOWN : Asian Politicians Urge Involvement

Asian-Americans must get involved in the community and the political arena to influence public policy and prevent racial injustice, a panel of pioneering Asian-American politicians agreed.

But the politicians warned that because of the dearth of Asian-Americans in public office, those who are elected immediately find themselves representing a variety of ethnic groups and issues.

“You automatically become a role model,” said Carson Councilman Peter Fajardo, the only Filipino-American city council member in Southern California. “I have to go out and speak on issues that may not necessarily pertain to my city. Since my election last April, I’ve been to 60 speaking engagements.”

Fajardo was one of six speakers at a recent symposium, “Asian Pacific American Leadership and Perspectives in American Politics,” at the Bonaventure Hotel.

“It’s time the Asian Pacific American community gets involved in politics,” said Rep. Norman Y. Mineta (D-San Jose). “You don’t have to be ashamed of your accent. . . . If we don’t speak up for ourselves, nobody else will.”

Other panelists were: Rep. Jay Kim (R-Diamond Bar), the first Korean-American elected to Congress; Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (R-Camarillo), the first Asian-American elected to the Legislature since 1978; Monterey Park Councilwoman Judy Chu; and newly elected Westminster Councilman Tony Lam, the first Vietnamese-American elected to public office.

The panelists agreed that Asian-Americans have very little political clout, despite being a growing minority group that spans cultures and generations. “We have always been tapped for our money, but not for our talent,” said Mineta.

Chu said that although Asian-Americans make up about 10% of California’s population, they account for only 2% of the state’s registered voters.