Hines Ward appointed as member of President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders

Hines Ward was one of 16 people appointed as members of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He was appointed by President Obama on September 16th and was officially sworn-in at a press conference on September 21st.

Here is a quote from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette of his reaction to being appointed to the commission by President Obama:

“Imagine the president picking me to be a face of Asian Americans all over the world. Me? Me?” Ward said. “I thought it was a huge honor when they told me I was going to be one of the candidates. But I never thought I’d actually be picked.”

Obviously this another step for Hines Ward in giving back to the community and specifically the Asian American/Pacific Islander community. He definitely deserves to be commended for all he is doing with his prominent status to advocate on various mixed race and AAPI issues.

He also has his Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation, which he started shortly after he won the Super Bowl XL MVP award in 2006 to help mixed-race children suffering from discrimination in Korea. His MVP performance and Korea’s reaction were a catalyst to renew discussions involving issues related to Korea’s treatment of mixed-race Koreans.

Sources:
Official White House Press Release
Official White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Facebook