[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 46 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CENTER FOR ASIAN AMERICANS 
                  UNITED FOR SELF EMPOWERMENT (CAUSE)

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2018

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleague, 
Congresswoman Judy Chu, to recognize the Center for Asian Americans 
United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), a nonprofit organization based in 
the Greater Los Angeles area. CAUSE has played a pivotal role in the 
promotion of civic engagement and leadership development within the 
local Asian Pacific American (APA) community for the last 25 years.
  CAUSE began in 1993 as the Chinese Americans United for Self 
Empowerment. The organization has been chaired since its inception by 
Charlie Woo. In 2003, due to the APA community's diversifying 
population, CAUSE expanded its mission to serve the larger APA 
community, and changed its name accordingly to the Center for Asian 
Americans United for Self Empowerment.
  CAUSE was created with the mission to advance the political and civic 
empowerment of the APA community through nonpartisan voter outreach, 
training, education, and leadership development. By providing a greater 
understanding of APA issues, access to resources, and a large and 
thriving network, CAUSE has played a pivotal role in empowering the 
next generation to vote, participate, and lead.
  CAUSE has created a pipeline of leadership development programs that 
cultivates leaders for the APA community. The oldest of these programs 
is the Leadership Academy, an undergraduate internship program, which 
has graduated 26 classes and has exposed students to decision makers, 
policy makers, and issues of the day. The program's young leaders have 
developed a deeper awareness of the political issues the APA community 
faces in California and in Washington, D.C.
  CAUSE's Leadership Institute, a six-month fellowship, trains mid-
career professionals to become greater advocates for the APA community. 
The fellowship is comprised of intimate policy roundtable discussions, 
civic leadership skill development, and access to political leaders who 
speak at leadership luncheons.
  The CAUSE Leadership Council & Network is comprised of preeminent 
next-generation leaders, who are selected to participate by invitation 
only. Members move the APA community forward through education, 
networks, and advancement into leadership positions. They also look to 
ensure equal opportunities for leadership representation by building 
key connections and skills necessary to advance and empower emerging 
leaders.
  Through these programs, CAUSE has developed a network of over 200 
alumni. CAUSE is also especially dedicated to advocating for more women 
to rise to positions of power. The CAUSE Women in Power program serves 
over 400 women annually through leadership conferences to discuss 
issues women leaders face while exploring strategies to overcome them. 
This program inspires women to reach their full potential.
  CAUSE has been a primary source of information for foreign and 
native-born APAs. CAUSE's Voter Outreach, Training & Education (VOTE) 
Initiatives provide voters with valuable access to voter education and 
registration workshops, candidate debates and forums, and community 
issue town halls. With over 200 volunteers, the VOTE Initiatives work 
to increase APA turnout and voter registration, the understanding of 
candidates and propositions, and discussion of politics and community 
issues.
  Today, the APA community is the fastest growing community in the U.S. 
and is projected to be the largest immigrant group in the country by 
2055. APA voters increased from more than 2 million voters across the 
country in 2000 to 3.9 million voters in 2012. In addition, there has 
been a growth of over 600,000 new APA voters nationwide within the last 
three election cycles. However, only about half of eligible voters were 
registered in 2016, and there is still a lack of representation in 
political leadership roles. The APA community is sure to see increased 
voter activity and voter engagement under CAUSE's stewardship.
  Under the leadership of CAUSE's Executive Director, Kim Yamasaki, the 
organization's budget for programs and staff has increased by more than 
50 percent. CAUSE is better positioned than ever to fully activate and 
engage the APA community in politics and the world around them.
  On April 5, 2018, CAUSE celebrates its silver anniversary at an event 
in Downtown Los Angeles with several hundred supporters in attendance. 
Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to please join us in celebrating 
CAUSE's first 25 years of success. We look forward to its next 25 years 
with great anticipation.

                          ____________________