Executive Order 13125

The President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI)

Information provided by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (Washington, DC)

When and why did the President issue Executive Order 13125?

On June 7, 1999, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13125 to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through increased participation in Federal programs where they may be underserved (e.g. health, human services, education, housing, labor, transportation, and economic and community development).

The Executive Order has two major components:

  • A President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
  • A White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Who will make up the President’s Advisory Commission?

The President’s Advisory Commission is made up of 15 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (appointed by the President) who have a history of involvement with the APA community and/or have expertise in a specific field (e.g. health, human services, education, housing, labor, transportation, economic and community development, civil rights, or business).

For a list of the AAPI President-appointed Commissioners and for information about AAPI, please go to http://www.aapi.gov.

What are the responsibilities of the Commission?

The Commission will advise the President on:

  • How the federal government can better serve the needs of the APA community;
  • Ways to increase public-sector and private-sector involvement in improving the health and well-being of APA’s; and
  • Ways to foster research and data on APA’s including data on specific subgroups.

The Advisory Commission will serve until June 7, 2001, and can be renewed at that time by the President.

What is the White House Initiative about?

The Executive Order also establishes a White House Initiative on increasing participation of Asian and Pacific Islanders in Federal programs, which will be developed by an interagency working group within the federal government. The working group will advise the Secretary on the implementation and coordination of Federal programs as they relate to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across executive departments and agencies.

Under the White House Initiative each executive department and certain designated agencies will be required to prepare a plan on its efforts to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through increased participation in Federal programs.

How will Executive Order 13125 be implemented?

The Department of Health and Human Services is designated as the Federal Agency that will oversee the implementation of Executive Order 13125, managed by an Executive Director who will serve as Director of the Commission and the Working Group.

Contact information

For more information please contact : White House Office of Public Liaison at 202-456-2930, or go to http://www.aapi.us.gov