American community, will present Aumua Amata of American Samoa with it prestigious Visionary Award at its Annual Gala in Washington, D.C. on July 17.
Amata called Saipan home in the years her parents lived here while her father was Northern Marianas district administrator from 1965 to 1969, deputy high commissioner of the Trust Territory from 1969 to 1976, and acting high commissioner from 1976 to 1977.
In a letter of invitation to Amata, ILF Chairman Paul Hsu and President Derek Chen wrote, “Your life is an inspiration to us all and we feel your commitment to the Asian Pacific American community is unparalleled.”
The ILF leaders took particular note of Amata’s service as a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
During her term on the commission, Amata served as chairwoman of the community security subcommittee and also succeeded in persuading the commission to devote a separate chapter to Pacific islander health needs as part of its landmark report to the president on health care disparities in the nation’s Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders communities.
As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives leadership staff, she established a data bank for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other minorities who were interested in public service in the legislative branch of government.
“I am overwhelmed and humbled,” said Amata in accepting ILF’s invitation to accept the visionary award. “In all of I have done in government, politics and in community activism, my goal always has been the same: to be of service to our people and advance their opportunities.”
Since its founding in California in the 1990s, ILF has established a track record of recognizing individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders community, including such distinguished persons as Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, film star Jackie Chan and former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, who is honorary chairman of the ILF board.
Amata will have the distinction of being the first Samoan whose contributions have been recognized by ILF.
Each year ILF provides scholarships and organizational support for over 30 APA college students to participate in its Public Affairs Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C.
Students are selected who are likely to become leaders in the academic, business, community, professional or public services. Over 500 students have received ILF Fellowships or leadership training.
In their letter of invitation to Amata, Hsu and Chen explained that annually ILF “recognizes a small number of truly remarkable individuals and organizations to honor at our annual awards dinner.”
This year ILF also will recognize the public service contributions of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, California Congressman Mike Honda and the Committee of 100, a Chinese-American civic and advocacy organization.
For more informational about the International Leadership Foundation, or to attend its Annual Gala on July 17 in Washington, D.C., visit http://www.ileader.org.
