DESCRIPTION:

The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus (CDP API Caucus) Trailblazer Award honors extraordinary California Democrats for their excellence in leadership and outstanding public service to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and the people of California.  In essence, these individuals are trailblazers in expanding political empowerment, civic engagement, and electoral representation for the AAPI community.  Their unwavering commitment and dedication to fighting for the AAPI community set the standard for political leadership and service for generations to come.
 
The CDP API Caucus Trailblazer Award recipients will be honored at the 2017 CDP State Convention (May 19-21, 2017, Sacramento) during the CDP API Caucus Meeting.  Exact date and time are forthcoming.

Deadline to submit nominations for the 2017 Trailblazer Awards is FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017, 11:59 PM Pacific Time.  For any questions, please email cademparty.apicaucus@gmail.com.

QUALIFICATIONS & NOMINATION PROCESS:

An honoree for the CDP API Caucus Trailblazer Award:
(1)  Must be a registered California Democrat
(2)  Has demonstrated outstanding leadership, contribution, and commitment to empowering the AAPI community civically and/or politically in California
(3)  Is encouraged to attend the CDP API Caucus Meeting during the 2017 CDP Convention to receive the award.

Current CDP API Caucus Members may nominate more than one individual for the CDP API Caucus Trailblazer Award. The CDP API Caucus Board will consider all nominees and finalize the award recipients.  While we encourage Caucus Members to nominate individuals of AAPI descent, that is not a requirement for a finalist to receive the award.

If you are not a member of the CDP API Caucus, or if you would like to renew your membership for 2017, please visit www.apicaucus.com/membership

PAST HONOREES:

Congressional Gold Medal Recipients: Members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Infantry Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Service of World War II
   - (In conjunction with CYD API Caucus)
Hon. Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Secretary of Transportation & U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Hon. Ami Bera, Member of Congress
Hon. Judy Chu, Member of Congress and Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
Hon. Mike Honda, Member of Congress and Chair Emeritus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
Hon. John Chiang, California State Controller
Hon. March Fong Eu, U.S. Ambassador and California Secretary of State
Hon. Kamala Harris, California Attorney General
Hon. Betty Yee, California State Controller
Hon. Fiona Ma, State Board of Equalization Member
Hon. John A. Pérez, Speaker of the California State Assembly
Hon. Rob Bonta, California State Assembly Member
   - (In conjunction with CDP Filipino American Caucus)
Hon. Warren T. Furutani, California State Assembly Member (ret.)
Ms. Sumi Sevilla Haru, AFL-CIO National Vice President & Screen Actors Guild Interim President
   - (In Memoriam)
Mr. Bill Wong, Strategic Counsel