ANNAPOLIS (Jan. 14, 2008)—Governor Martin O'Malley recently announced the appointment of Tammy Pantages to a four year term as a Commissioner of the newly-expanded Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. Pantages is the current President of the Charles County-based Korean American Association of Southern Maryland (KAASM), as well as the Chairperson for the Korean American Cultural Arts Foundation (KACAF).
Gov. O'Malley made the announcement during a mid-morning ceremony honoring the members of the newly-expanded commission, held at the Governor's Reception Room.
The Commission advises the Governor and the Office of Asian Pacific American Affairs on issues that affect Asian Pacific Americans in Maryland. O'Malley has elevated the commission to the executive level, moving it to the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives.
"As a long-time resident of Maryland, I'm honored to be apart of this exciting event," said Pantages in a statement. "Being selected as a representative for Southern Maryland is especially important, as our region has recently experienced rapid growth in terms of cultural and ethnic diversity. As the President of KAASM, I'm tasked with the important responsibility to make sure that this community growth is a community growing together, rather than within barriers. We're committed to providing opportunities for all community members to join together to learn and teach, engage and grow collectively."
According to Commission Chair Jane Nishida, the Asian Pacific American community represents approximately 5 percent of the population in the State of Maryland. "In some counties, like Frederick and Charles counties, our community has grown by approximately 50 per cent," noted Nishida. "Our community and roots are diverse–ethnically, geographically, and occupationally. But we share a common bond and commitment to the place we all now call home--Maryland."