President George W. Bush

May 13 –– President Bush sent out an Executive Order calling for increasing Asian American and Pacific Islander participation in business.

The Order calls on the Commerce Department to establish the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders of not more than 15 members appointed by the President.

The Commission shall provide advice to the President, through the Secretary, on the development, monitoring, and coordination of executive branch efforts to improve the economic and community development of Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses. The Commerce Secretary shall establish within the Department of Commerce an office known as the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, to support the Commission. The Commerce Secretary shall also create an interagency working group to advise the Secretary on efforts by the Federal Government to improve access to economic opportunities.