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National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) 2005 Northeast Regional Conference and Volunteer law students helped with the registration of conference participants. Highlights from the morning and afternoon sessions included panel discussions on Diversity Initiatives at Law Firms and Corporations, Civil Rights in Consideration of Korematsu and the Hamdi/Padilla/Gauntanamo Cases, and Strategies for Success in the Legal Profession. Career Coach and Author Jane Hyun was on-hand to sign her new book Breaking the Bamboo Ceil. A cocktail/networking reception sponsored by Dewars bridged the time between the conference and evening banquet. During the luncheon sponsored by Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale & Dorr, LLP, Hon. John T. Lu of the Boston Municipal Court introduced the Keynote Speaker Hon. Denny Chin of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. In his introduction Judge Lu jokingly commented on Judge Chin's recent ruling in favor of Johnson & Johnson, the makers of dental floss, against Pfizer, the makers of Listerine. Judge Chin wrote "The benefits of flossing are real --- they are not a 'myth.'" All joking aside, Judge Chin gave highlights from a few of the famous cases that his court had been involved such as Fox News Channel's lawsuit against liberal humorist Al Franken from using the phrase "fair and balanced" in a book title. On a more serious note, Judge Chin also commented on the need for more judges of Asian American ancestry, because the number has remained at six for federal judges (of approximately 850 nationwide) and has been slowly increasing for judges in state courts. He urged NAPABA and AALAM memberships to increase efforts by being more involved in the judicial nomination process and becoming more involved in the political process. The day concluded with the 20th Anniversary Banquet. WCVB-TV political reporter Janet Wu served as the Banquet Emcee. In her welcoming remarks, she mentioned the growth in the numbers of Asian American lawyers in the Massachusetts Bar but expressed regret that there has been none in the Legislature during her coverage of the State House and the Massachusetts Courts over the past twenty years. Banquet attendees were also greeted by ABA President-Elect Michael Greco. President Greco looked forward to working with his counterparts at NAPABA on minority bar issues and raising Asian American representation at law firms and in government. AALAM Board Members Jeff Hsi and Stephen Chow presented the AALAM Scholarship to Karlo Ng, a Wellesley College graduate and first year law student at Northeastern University School of Law. She has been active in the Asian-American community with service to both the Harry H. Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund and the Chinese Progressive Association. She tearfully acknowledged her parents in appreciation of their efforts to make her pursuit of a legal career possible. AALAM President Myong Joun began his speech with a greeting to all law students, lawyers, and judges. Myong's speech tied together the existing themes of the day. Myong said that like Fred Korematsu, AALAM members must continue to stand up for the rights of others and not just for themselves. "Making your mark ought not to be simply about building up your resume or your bank account, but standing firm and standing up for the principles of justice, equality and fairness." Myong concluded by stating, "Looking ahead to the next twenty years, together, let's make our mark where it truly matters." Paul Lee, a Partner at Goodwin Procter, presented the inaugural Founders Award to the Banquet Keynote Speaker Dale Minami. The AALAM Founders Award is presented to persons who have contributed to the advancement of Asians in the legal profession. As an AALAM Founder, Paul Lee commented on the attendance of the AALAM Banquet from the original dinner at Schroeder's Restaurant (now occupied by Radius on High Street) with less than twenty attorneys to this room filled with more than 200 people. Paul then went on to introduce Dale Minami as the Asian American community's Thurgood Marshall. Paul's introduction spoke of Dale's involvement in the re-opening of Fred Korematsu's case and Dale's championing of civil rights. Nevertheless, Paul also roasted Dale on his independent film-making, posing for an Asian American Hunks Calendar, and selection as one of People Magazine's America's Top 50 Bachelors. Dale Minami began his speech on a somber note. Dale acknowledged the recent deaths of both Congressman Robert Matsui and Fred Korematsu as major losses to the Asian-American Civil Rights movement, because of their tremendous contributions. Dale then went on to recount his involvement in the reopening of Fred Korematsu's case. It began when a University of Massachusetts Professor Peter Irons discovered irrefutable evidence that the U.S. Justice Department officials, including the Solicitor General, lied to the Supreme Court about the "military necessity" justification for the Japanese internment. Dale also went on to speak about his relationship to Fred Korematsu, first as client and then as friend. When Dale and Fred had originally met about the evidence, Fred just wanted justice, but was reluctant to speak with the press. By the end, Fred had become more gregarious about his experiences during the Internment years. To sum up, Fred Korematsu was the Asian American community's Rosa Parks. "He had a quiet courage," Dale said. "That's the best way to describe him. He did things because he thought they were right. He just thought this was wrong." "Part of his legacy is that he challenged the government in a time of war. He continued speaking out in support of civil rights and the Constitution until his death." Dale then ended with a challenge to AALAM membership to continue in a struggle because a lot of work still needs to be done. AALAM also conducted the following activities during the Banquet. AALAM made a $2,500 donation to the Fred Korematsu Civil Rights Fund to honor Fred Korematsu's memory. AALAM had also planned to present the inaugural Founders Award to Civil Rights Pioneer Fred Korematsu but, just three weeks before, Mr. Korematsu passed away. AALAM Vice President Quan Le organized a successful silent auction with proceeds going to Plan USA of Warwick, Rhode Island, for tsunami relief efforts. Auction items included an autographed copy of Dennis Lehane's Mystic River and opportunity to be written into his next book as a character, Red Sox Tickets, and Dinner at Mistral. AALAM President Myong Joun, Keynote Speaker Dale Minami and guest Rocky Chin. AALAM Past-Presidents Andrew Leong, Theodore Chuang and Paul Lee with Hon. Fernande R.V. Duffly. MBA President Kathleen O'Donnell with guest. Fred Korematsu receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton. AALAM President Myong Joun and Founder Paul Lee presentsthe AALAM Founders Award to Fred Korematsu's civil rights attorney Dale Minami. AALAM Director Stephen Chow with ABA President-Elect Michael Greco. Platinum-Level Sponsors:
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