Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal says approximately 1.9 million people have evacuated coastal areas, making it the state’s largest evacuation in history. Hurricane Gustav, a Category 3 hurricane, didn’t directly hit New Orleans and the levees are holding up. We hope the worst is over.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal deals with Hurricane Gustav
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The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a “Labor Day” on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.
The Asian American civilian labor force totaled 7,326,000 in July 2008, with a participation rate of 67.8% . A total of 7,030,000 Asian Americans were employed during this month.
The number of uninsured Asians remained statistically unchanged, at 2 million in 2006, while their uninsured rate declined to 15.5 percent in 2006, from 17.2 percent in 2005. Based on a three-year average (2004-2006), 31.4 percent of people who reported American Indian and Alaska Native as their race were without coverage. The three-year average for Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders was 21.7 percent.
Real median household income of white households rose 1.1 percent between 2005 and 2006 (from $50,100 to $50,700), the first real increase in annual household income for this group since 1999. Asian households had the highest median income at $64,200, followed by non-Hispanic white ($52,400), Hispanic ($37,800) and black ($32,000) households. Income levels remained statistically unchanged between 2005 and 2006 for each of these groups.
Among Asian American workers aged 16 and older, 6.1% are engaged in management, professional, and related occupations; 4.3% are engaged in service occupations; 4% have sales and office occupations; 1.8% are in natural resources, construction, and maintenance; and 3.6% are involved in production, transportation, and material occupations.
Check out the U.S. Department of Labor’s “America’s Dynamic Workforce” report
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao talks about labor in the USA
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The Democratic National Convention just took place and the Republican National Convention is taking place soon. With all the presidential nominees and VPs selected, the next step is to do your part and vote. Remember, you can’t vote unless you register.
Reel in the Vote is a non-partisan campaign launched by the San Diego Asian Film Foundation to encourage more Asian Pacific Islander Americans to participate in the democratic process during this crucial election year. Filmmakers submitted 30-second public service announcements that promote civic responsibility and democratic participation in the electoral and public policy processes.
They will choose a winner to receive $1000 and a Sony HDF-FX1 HDV Camcorder, plus bragging rights – the winning PSA will be screened before all film programs at the 9th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival. Here’s the 10 PSAs that San Diego Asian Film Foundation posted for Reel in the Vote 2008:
Superstar – Reel in the Vote 2008
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My Vote My Voice – Reel in the Vote 2008
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One – Reel in the Vote 2008
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Choices – Reel in the Vote 2008
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Right to Vote – Reel in the Vote 2008
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Your Power – Reel in the Vote 2008
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For the Future – Reel in the Vote 2008
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Hawaii resident Daniel Dae Kim and Hawaii native Kelly Hu were at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Denver this past week supporting Hawaii-born Barack Obama. Kelly Hu is a major Barack Obama supporter. She also wants to get people out to vote, even if it means doing silly PSAs. (see Embrace Your Power with Kelly Hu and George Takei)
Daniel Dae Kim & Kelly Hu at Democratic National Convention (DNC)
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Kelly Hu talks Obama and voting
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