National CAPACD Supports Ron Sims for Deputy Secretary of HUD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              

Contact: Nina Baliga

(202) 223-2442 x 203

(850) 321-2118 cell

February 3, 2009

 

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Washington, DC – Executive Director of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) Lisa Hasegawa and Sue Taoka, National CAPACD Board Co-Chair and Executive Vice President of Urban Programs at Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia made the following statement today on the Announcement of Ron Sims as the next Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the Obama Administration:

“National CAPACD fully commends President-elect Obama on his top choice of King County Executive Ron Sims to serve as the next Deputy Secretary of HUD.

“Mr. Sims has long been a champion of equitable development and social justice, and spoke on that topic as the keynote speaker at National CAPACD’s Annual Convention in 2008.   He has been a strong voice for low-income communities in King County and across the nation.  His innovative initiatives around Smart Growth will be invaluable to incorporating environmental protection and affordable housing on the national level.  We are certain that Mr. Sims will be an advocate of change at the federal level, improving housing policies to build and strengthen communities across the country.  National CAPACD members will now have a fierce advocate and loyal friend at HUD.

“As the Deputy Secretary, Mr. Sims will manage the day to day operations of HUD’s 8,500 employees and $39 billion budget.  Many of National CAPACD’s members know County Executive Ron Sims and have worked tirelessly along side him in Washington to create healthier and stronger neighborhoods by charting a course for equitable development.  We fully support the nomination, and look forward to working with Mr. Sims in his new capacity as Deputy Secretary of HUD,” said Ms. Hasegawa.
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“I am extremely excited and proud to congratulate my friend and long-time ally King County Executive Ron Sims on his appointment as the next Deputy Secretary of HUD.  He more than deserves this recognition of his life’s work, standing up for the rights and the just treatment of America’s underserved communities. 

“Executive Sims’ son and my son were in a multilingual, multi-cultural pre-school together and I witnessed his deep respect for families and cultural diversity.  I am sure he will bring this to his new role as deputy secretary of HUD. 

Mr. Sims has a strong understanding of the complexity of urban life, and the intersection of multiple communities of color.  He also understands the importance of uniting communities under a common cause, and has been a fierce advocate for the rights and needs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.  I believe he will take these lessons with him to Washington, DC, and will improve the well-being of all communities of color through his work at HUD.  He has been a tremendous ally of AAPI-serving organizations in King County and we look forward to working closely with Mr. Sims in his new role,” added Ms. Taoka, Executive Vice President of Shorebank Enterprise Cascadia and Co-President of National CAPACD.  

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The National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development is the first national advocacy organization dedicated to addressing the community development, organizing and advocacy needs of the diverse and rapidly growing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities nationwide.  Our mission is to be a powerful voice for the unique community development needs of AAPI communities and to strengthen the capacity of community-based organizations to create neighborhoods of hope and opportunity. 

Additional information may be found at http://www.nationalcapacd.org or by contacting