The Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (APAAC) was created in 2008 by an act of the Connecticut General Assembly. Under Public Act 08-166 and subsequently amended by the September Special Session, Public Act 09-7, this 21-member bipartisan commission generally oversaw matters concerning the Asian Pacific American population in Connecticut.
By law, the Commission made recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on the health, safety, education, economic self-sufficiency and efforts to remain free from discrimination within the Asian Pacific American population in Connecticut. The Commission reviewed and commented on proposed state legislation or recommendations that affected the Asian Pacific American population of the state; advised the General Assembly and the Governor concerning the coordination and administration of state programs that affected the Asian Pacific American population of the state; gathered and presented current information regarding the Asian Pacific American population of the state; maintained a liaison between the Asian Pacific American population of the state and government agencies, including the General Assembly; and conducted educational and outreach activities intended to raise awareness of critical issues for the Asian Pacific American population of the state. The first meeting of the Commission was held on May 4, 2010. In 2016, despite opposition from the APA community the APA Commission was merged into a larger legislative body.
Commissioners:
Jack Hasegawa, Chair
M. Angela Rola, Vice- Chair
William Howe, Secretary
Sarah Aziz, Treasurer
M. Saud Anwar
Arlene Avery
Richard S. Cho
Theodore Feng
Laurie Julian
Dr. Henry C. Lee
Amy Lin Meyerson
Arvind Shaw
Kanwaljit Singh
