OCA Honors President Carter’s Lifetime of Accomplishments

For Immediate Release

January 9, 2025

Media Contact: 
Socheata Sun, Communications Associate
socheata.sun@ocanational.org

OCA - ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ADVOCATES HONORS PRESIDENT CARTER’S LIFETIME OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates recognizes President Carter’s contributions in advancing the rights of Asian Americans and raising awareness of Asian American achievements

(January 9, 2025) – On the day that President Carter’s official state funeral begins in Washington, D.C., OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates (“OCA”) and its chapters, including OCA Georgia, remember President Carter’s lifetime of accomplishments including his contributions to the Asian American community. During his presidency, President Carter recognized the accomplishments and the issues important to Asian Americans. In 1979, President Carter signed Presidential Proclamation 4650 that designated May 4, 1979, as the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. Following President Carter’s lead, OCA was instrumental in advocating for and further establishing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, now celebrated every May. Further, President Carter signed bipartisan legislation into law establishing the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, which investigated the facts surrounding Executive Order 9066. The Commission ultimately recognized the gross injustices against Japanese American WWII survivors and their families, leading the way to a formal apology including funding reparations to the survivors. 

President Carter continued to further Asian American interests for over 40 years after his Presidency ended in 1981 through the generous work of the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Since its founding in 1983, OCA Georgia, the Georgia chapter of OCA, has hosted numerous events at The Carter Center including its 35th Anniversary Gala event in 2018 to recognize the achievements of local Asian American community leaders.

“President Carter was responsible for signing presidential proclamations and executive actions that deeply impacted the AANHPI community,” said OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates President Sharon Wong. “These presidential actions highlighted  AANHPI communities across the country and emphasized that we, too, belong.” OCA Georgia President Brian Lin remarked, “President Carter was an exceptional citizen, who served not only the State of Georgia and the United States, but also sought positive change for millions of people around the world. Asian Americans are grateful for President Carter’s leadership and persistence throughout his life, and we will deeply mourn his passing.”