ABAS Installs New Officers
By Lara Diaz Dunbar

As the Asian/Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento enters its twenty-third year of service to the community, I am honored to undertake the position of ABAS President. Through the dedication of its past presidents, officers, directors, committee chairs and representatives, ABAS has served its members and the community for the past two decades. As the twenty-second president of this association, I look forward to building upon ABAS' record of devotion to community service and the promotion of professional excellence in the field of law.

As I look to 2004, I see another exciting and productive year for ABAS. We intend to focus on advocacy and continue our tradition of community service. We look forward to working with the Unity Bar associations and other community organizations to better serve the community. ABAS enters the 2004 year stronger than ever. We have met and exceeded many of the goals we set for ourselves in 2003. Membership is up, and we are fortunate to have a healthy combination of long-standing members and new members. Further, I am privileged to serve ABAS with the support of the dedicated and experienced individuals who serve as the 2004 ABAS officers, directors, committee chairs and representatives. These leaders include President-elect Mike S. Mireles, Vice President Darrel Woo, Secretary Amilia Sanders, Treasurer Alice H. Choi, Immediate Past President Robert King Fong, Directors at Large Dee Brown, Rebecca Westmore, Jane Takenouchi and Leonard P. Lun, Committee Chairs Jerry Chong, Toso Himel, Curt Namba and Donna Tamanaha, and Representatives Julie Weng-Gutierrez, Jeannie S. Lee, and Richard K. Sueyoshi. Many of our officers and directors will also serve as committee chairs and representatives. While this year promises to be busy and challenging, ABAS is fortunate to have such a strong group of leaders in 2004. However, as always, the success of ABAS will not depend upon the effort of any one or any few individuals alone. The future success of this organization is equally dependent on the continued support of the members, supporters and friends of ABAS.

As we begin the 2004 year, it is a good time to reflect on ABAS' accomplishments in 2003. Last year proved to be another successful year for ABAS. We strengthened our presence in the Sacramento Asian/Pacific Islander community and legal community. Some highlights of 2003 include a successful reception ABAS co-sponsored in May 2003 for Superior Court Judge and ABAS member Shelleyanne Chang. The event was held at the California Bank & Trust and was sponsored by ABAS, the Asian Pacific State Employees Association, California Bank & Trust, and the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce.

The ABAS Law Foundation Wine Tasting on June 5, 2003 was a success. The event was held at the Pavilions in Sacramento and welcomed many ABAS members and supporters. The proceeds went towards the ABAS scholarship fund for law students.

ABAS joined with the Wiley Manuel Bar Association, La Raza Lawyers' Association of Sacramento, Sac LEGAL and Women Lawyers of Sacramento, to sponsor the annual Unity Bar Diversity Career Forum on September 15, 2003. The Career Forum was a success. Employers from both the public and private sector were represented and law students from various law schools had the opportunity to network and talk to these potential employers.

As always, the ABAS Golf Tournament was a huge success. The tournament was on September 28, 2003 at the Lighthouse Golf and Country Club. We were fortunate to have our regular and avid ABAS golf tournament participants return, and we welcomed many new golf tournament participants as well. The proceeds went towards the ABAS scholarship fund for law students.

Also in 2003, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) hosted their annual Thomas Tang Moot Court Western Regional Final Competition for law students in Sacramento. Our ABAS members volunteered and served as judges of the competition. Many ABAS members devoted their time to grading the briefs and also to presiding over the oral rounds which were held at McGeorge School of Law during the day of October 18, 2003. ABAS hosted their Fall Mixer that same evening and in recognition of the Moot Court participants. ABAS members, the Moot Court participants and judges, and many law students from various law schools gathered to recognize the Moot Court participants and to present the awards.

Further, ABAS co-hosted the Unity Bar Association Dinner on October 30, 2003 in Sacramento. ABAS joined with the Wiley Manuel Bar Association, La Raza Lawyers' Association of Sacramento, Sac LEGAL and Women Lawyers of Sacramento to sponsor the Unity Bar Dinner where the keynote speaker was California Attorney General Bill Lockyer.

On November 1, 2003, ABAS participated in the My Sister's House (MSH) Fun Run/Walk. ABAS showed their strong support by sponsoring two ABAS teams (over twenty ABAS runners/walkers) for the Run/Walk. ABAS Members on the teams included several members of the judiciary and many of the ABAS officers. The Fun Run helped raise awareness on domestic violence and raised funds to support the first safe haven for battered Asian and Pacific Islander women and children.

ABAS co-sponsored an Immigration Workshop on November 22, 2003 at Health For All in Sacramento geared towards helping those who do not easily have access to resources and information regarding immigration issues. The workshop addressed issues such as Visa Overstays, Green Cards, Marriage and Children Sponsorships, and Labor Certifications.

Also in 2003, ABAS continued to remain active in the Protect & Defend Constitutional Project through our ABAS representative, Donna Tamanaha. Mike Mireles was our devoted representative to the Racial Profiling Committee. The ABAS Public Appointments Committee remained busy as well by evaluating, recommending, and endorsing several judicial candidates for appointment.

The 2003 year was filled with accomplishment. In addition to the many activities and events of ABAS, we were also proud to announce the election of long time ABAS member, Judge Michael Virga, as Presiding Judge of the Sacramento County Superior Court, and the appointment of Judge Chang. ABAS Board Member Darrel Woo was appointed to the City of Sacramento Planning Commission.

ABAS started the 2004 year with its 23rd Annual Installation of Officers and Lunar New Year's Celebration Dinner on January 15. It was a very successful event and over 200 guests attended the ABAS Installation Dinner. At the installation, ABAS thanked its outgoing officers for their service and also welcomed its incoming 2004 Officers and Directors. In addition, the officers of the ABAS Law Foundation, a nonprofit 501( c)(3) charitable foundation, were installed: President Toso Himel, Treasurer Jerilyn Paik, Secretary Henry D. Nanjo, and Board Members Elizabeth Guillen, Anna K. Oh and Kelly Shintaku. Presiding Judge Virga administered the oaths to the 2004 ABAS and ABAS Law Foundation incoming Officers and Directors. The master of ceremonies of the event was Ruthe Catolico Ashley and the keynote speaker was Dale Minami. ABAS recognized two deserving individuals at the event for their dedication and service to the community. The Community Service Award was presented to Rick Sueyoshi and the President's Award was presented to Mike Nakagawa. Resolutions and awards were presented by California State Assembly Member Judy Chu and California State Board of Equalization Member John Chiang.

ABAS is looking forward to our 2004 Spring Mixer. This event will also serve as the ABAS Scholarship Reception for our law school scholarship recipients. The time and place is yet to be announced but anticipated to be in April 2004.