On Saturday, December 9, Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) received the Community Champion Award from the Asian Pacific Islanders Public Affairs Association (APAPA), in recognition of his work as a champion in fighting for the goals of community engagement and leadership development, and in advancing diverse cultural awareness.

Assemblyman Colton received the award during a ceremony at the Yin Ranch/Asian Heritage Center Pavilion near Sacramento, California during the non-profit’s annual National Unity Awards Gala, as more than 650 members of the group and its supporters looked on. Other honorees included Congressmember Grace Meng of Queens, California Treasurer Fiona Ma, California Assemblymember Mike Fong, Professor Dr. Xiaoxing Xi, OCA National President Linda Ng, and Founding President and Executive Director of the National Action Network Dr. Tecoy Porter.

Larry He, APAPA national governing board member, presented Assemblyman Colton with his award, and spoke of the significance of the Lunar New Year law that Assemblyman Colton authored. “We held statewide and local rallies and press conferences together, informed the public to spread the word, and worked closely with you to gather a lot of support,” he said. “It was historic and you made it happen. We want to recognize you as a champion for our community and the author of this historic legislation.”

“I was greatly humbled and honored to receive APAPA’s Community Champion Award,” Assemblyman Colton said. “This organization does so much for the people it represents. My main goal as an elected official is to serve my constituents, and I knew how important it was for the Lunar New Year to get the recognition it deserved. I look forward to continuing to deliver for the people I serve.”

APAPA was founded by CC and Regina Yin in 2001, and now has over 50 chapters across the United States. The organization’s mission is to promote voter engagement and develop a new generation of leaders while forming diverse community partnerships.

Among those present at the gala were California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state’s Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, and numerous elected officials from California and from other states.