Washington, DC – New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand met late last week with Glenn Magpantay from New York City who works for the Asian American Legal Defense Fund. Senator Gillibrand offered her support of Mr. Magpantay’s nomination to the Census Advisory Committee on the Asian Population, under the Census Bureau’s Race and Ethnic Advisory Committee.
“I am very impressed with Mr. Magpantay and his commitment to equal rights and the Asian community,” said Senator Gillibrand. “At a time of economic challenges, AALDEF will continue to play a leadership role for social justice and voting rights. The upcoming census is very important to New York, and Mr. Magpantay is clearly the best person to serve on the advisory committee.”
Senator Gillibrand and Mr. Magpantay also discussed his testimony today at the House Judiciary Committee, Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Subcommittee hearing “Lessons from the 2008 Elections.” Mr. Magpantay shared his observations on the 2008 Elections and the impact on the Asian American community.
Mr. Magpantay currently works as a Staff Attorney and coordinates the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund’s voting rights and census programs. In preparation for Census 2000, he spearheaded AALDEF’s policy advocacy and public education effort.
AALDEF was founded in 1974 as a national organization to protect and promote the civil rights of Asian Americans. AALDEF combines litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, for Asian American communities across the country. They are a founding member of the Public Interest Law Center which is made up of the nation’s leading legal rights groups, including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund.