Go Obama! Diversity!<\/b> <\/p>\n
President Barack Obama<\/b> lit a lantern at the White House to mark the Indian festival of light, Diwali, and signed an executive order restoring a commission to address issues of concern to the Asian American Pacific Islander community<\/b>.<\/p>\n
The President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders<\/b> will bring leaders from 23 agencies together to eliminate health, education and economic disparities between the Asian American and Pacific Islander community<\/b> and the rest of the population. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke will chair the commission.<\/b> Approximately 150 Asian Americans were on hand to participate in the celebration.<\/p>\n
Obama also mentioned his Asian and Pacific Islander ties. His half sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng’s father was Indonesian, and she is married to a Chinese American.<\/p>\n