OCA PRESSES BIDEN TEAM TO SELECT AAPI INDIVIDUALS FOR CABINET POSITIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28 December 2020

Contact: Eiley Fong | Communications Associate
202.223.5500 | eiley.fong@ocanational.org

Washington, DC - OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates again urges the Biden-Harris transition team to include AAPIs in Cabinet nominations for the next administration. Former Presidents Bush, Obama, and President Trump have all included AAPI individuals in Cabinet positions. While OCA is excited to see Neera Tanden’s appointment to serve as the director of the Office of Budget and Management, Dr. Vivek Murthy’s appointment to serve as the Surgeon General, and Katherine Tai as the U.S. Trade Representative, we hope to see more AAPIs represented in top-tier leadership positions to reflect President-elect Biden’s vision of an administration that values and reflects the diversity of America.

OCA previously issued a letter to the transition team addressing the importance of a diverse and representative Cabinet. It is essential to have a well-equipped, inclusive, and prepared team to tackle the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, racial inequality, and a crippling economy, as the country moves into 2021 and beyond.

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders must be involved in all levels of government. There is talent and untapped potential that exists within AAPIs who work in higher office. We hope to see this reflected in Cabinet nominations for diverse and inclusive leadership that the Biden Team envisions,” states Sharon M. Wong, National President of OCA. “The previous presidents, and current president, have included AAPIs in their high-profile Cabinet leadership. We urge the team to consider this as they finalize nominations.”

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national civil rights organization dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

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