We would like to wish you a happy new year, and we hope that 2002 is filled with much joy and happiness for you, your family and friends.

As 2001 has come to an end and 2002 has begun, IACPA would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of IACPA's successes in 2001 and alert you to some of the projects we are planning for 2002.

In the past year, some of IAPCA's successes were:

•    2000 US Census - IACPA was the first Indian American organization to provide a detailed analysis of the impact of the 2000 US Census on the Indian American community.

•    IACPA's 2001 Washington Leadership Program (WLP 2001) - Twenty college students participated in a summer internship program in various Congressional offices and committees in Washington DC and local government offices in New York City. The summer program exposed the students to the workings of local and federal government, as well key policy makers.

•    The IACPA 2001 Summer Speakers Series - The program featured lectures and discussions led by key Indian American policy makers. Speakers included: US Assistant Secretary of Health, Bobby Jindal; Maryland House Delegate Kumar Barve, Minnesota State Senator Satveer Chaudhary, the former Solicitor General of New York, Preeta Bansal, and the former Premier of British Columbia, Canada, Ujjal Dosanjh, among others.

•    Hate Crimes and Racial Profiling - IACPA worked closely with federal and local law enforcement officials and other organizations in monitoring hate crime and racial profiling incidents committed against Indian Americans in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The information was used to ensure that proper measures were taken by law enforcement organizations to protect the Indian American community.

•    Terrorism - In October 2001, IACPA and the Potomac Institute hosted a panel discussion on terrorism and the impact of the events of September 11th on South Asia. The discussion ranged from terrorism in South Asia to the legal impact September 11th could have on ethnic and immigrant communities living in the US.

•    2001 November General Elections Guide - The election guide provided information on the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections, and the New York City and other major metropolitan mayoral elections that included candidate information on key issues, as well as voter registration and polling locations information. The information also tracked the campaigns of 12 Indian Americans that were seeking elected office in the state and local elections in New York and New Jersey.

•    CBS and WNEW - IACPA responded to offensive comments made by the hosts of a nationally syndicated radio show based in New York City. The hosts had continually referred to Sikh Americans as "diaper" and "towel" heads and even insinuated that Sikh Americans may have flown the airplanes into the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001. As result of IACPA's efforts, the CBS radio stations issued a written apology for the comments and agreed to air public service announcements (PSAs) condemning racial profiling and hate crime incidents.

In 2002, IACPA is planning to have an even bigger year. IACPA is:

•    Currently developing a "voting card" for the 107th Congress - helping track the co-sponsorship and voting records of our federal elected officials.

•    In conjunction with the Network of South Asian Professionals (Washington DC) and several other South Asian organizations, IACPA is co-hosting a forum on current Indian American political issues on Capitol Hill.

•    Expanding the "Summer Speakers Series" to an all year program. For example, IACPA is currently working in developing a panel discussion on the impact of the 2001 Patriot Act on the Indian American community.

•    In the Fall 2002, IACPA plans to launch a "2002 Voter Education Guide" - information tailored for the Indian American community on the 2002 federal, state and local elections.

And, this is only a snapshot of what IACPA has planned for 2002.

As the Indian American community continues to grow, it is never been more important for the community to be informed and engaged in US public policy.

Actions taken by the US government following the September 11th attacks have had a tremendous impact on the political and legal rights of Indian Americans. Additionally, the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and the rise of tensions between India and Pakistan has raised the profile of South Asia - an issue important to all of us.

IACPA will continue to work towards the education of the Indian American community on these and other issues and will assist in the development of policies that are reflective of the interests of our community. We hope that you will join us in this endeavor.

Indian American Center for Political Awareness
IACPA
1275 K St. NW
Suite 810
Washington, DC 20005
www.

Phone: 202/289-3654
Fax: 202/347-7750

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