White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs)

INCREASING PARTICIPATION OF ASIAN AMERICANS
& PACIFIC ISLANDERS IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS

FACT SHEET

On June 7, 1999, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13125 to improve the quality of life of
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through increased participation in federal programs where
they are underserved. The Executive Order calls on all federal departments to mobilize their
resources to address the unmet needs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The Executive Order establishes the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders, Federal Interagency Working Group, and the Office of the White House
Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

President's Advisory Commission (PAC) on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

The fifteen-member Commission will focus on three goals:

Develop, monitor and coordinate federal efforts to improve Asian American and Pacific
Islander participation in government programs;

Foster research and data collection for Asian American and Pacific Islander populations
sub-populations; and

Increase public and private sector and community involvement in improving the health
well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The Commission is seated through June 7, 2001, and will then be considered for renewal by the
President.

White House Initiative on AAPIs - Federal Interagency Working Group

An Interagency Working Group (IWG), composed of senior-level federal officials to advise the
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Initiative activities. An integrated
Federal Plan which includes measurable objectives and implementation plans for each Executive
Branch department will be submitted to the President.

Office of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

The Department of Health and Human Services coordinates the implementation of the Executive
Order. The Office of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is
administratively housed in the Health Resources and Services Administration. The Office
coordinates federal efforts under the Executive Order; serves as the point of contact for
community groups, and provides administrative support to the Commission.

-------