WASHINGTON DC - Sichan Siv, a former US ambassador to the United Nations, is encouraging Asian-Americans to vote in November’s presidential eleciton.
The US is home to some 17 million Asian Americans, but the group as a whole shows only a 50 percent voter turnout rate, according to 2008 figures. The overall voter turnout rate for Americans was 64 percent.
“You need to exercise that right,” Sichan Siv told VOA Khmer. “Many people fought war for us to have that freedom. Don’t just become a US citizen to have a US passport. Register to vote and go vote on Election Day.”
Sihcan Siv picked apples and drove taxi cabs before entering public service. Not only should Asian-Americans vote, but they should run for office, too, he said.
“It’s important for us, Asian-Americans who are successful in business and education, to transform that success into political activism,” Sichan Siv said. “I want you to run for city council, school district board, state legislator, US House of Representatives and the US Senate.”
Both the Democratic and Republican parties have officially announced their candidates for the Nov. 6 presidential election. Barrack Obama accepted the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Mitt Romney accepted the Republican nominated at the party’s convention in Tampa, Fla.
Sovann Uy, a guava farmer from Homestead, in southern Florida, told VOA Khmer he became a US citizen years ago but had not yet voted. “Because I’m always too busy, I haven’t had time to vote,” he said.
“It’s important for us, Asian-Americans who are successful in business and education, to transform that success into political activism,” Sichan Siv said. “I want you to run for city council, school district board, state legislator, US House of Representatives and the US Senate.”
Channy Mao, of Largo, Fla., who recently became a US citizen, said she was never too busy to vote. “Why? Because I want to choose a leader who I think can lead the country well.”
The US is home to some 17 million Asian Americans, but the group as a whole shows only a 50 percent voter turnout rate, according to 2008 figures. The overall voter turnout rate for Americans was 64 percent.
“You need to exercise that right,” Sichan Siv told VOA Khmer. “Many people fought war for us to have that freedom. Don’t just become a US citizen to have a US passport. Register to vote and go vote on Election Day.”
Sihcan Siv picked apples and drove taxi cabs before entering public service. Not only should Asian-Americans vote, but they should run for office, too, he said.
“It’s important for us, Asian-Americans who are successful in business and education, to transform that success into political activism,” Sichan Siv said. “I want you to run for city council, school district board, state legislator, US House of Representatives and the US Senate.”
Both the Democratic and Republican parties have officially announced their candidates for the Nov. 6 presidential election. Barrack Obama accepted the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Mitt Romney accepted the Republican nominated at the party’s convention in Tampa, Fla.
Sovann Uy, a guava farmer from Homestead, in southern Florida, told VOA Khmer he became a US citizen years ago but had not yet voted. “Because I’m always too busy, I haven’t had time to vote,” he said.
“It’s important for us, Asian-Americans who are successful in business and education, to transform that success into political activism,” Sichan Siv said. “I want you to run for city council, school district board, state legislator, US House of Representatives and the US Senate.”
Channy Mao, of Largo, Fla., who recently became a US citizen, said she was never too busy to vote. “Why? Because I want to choose a leader who I think can lead the country well.”
