Asianweek.com, News Report, Posted: Sep 21, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Three Indian Americans have been named to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The commission's goal is to help the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities to get increased access to, and participation in, federal programs.

The three Indian-American appointees are Farooq Kathwari, Sunil Puri, and Amardeep Singh. Kathwari, a Kashmir University graduate, is the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ethan Allan Interiors. Puri, a graduate of Rockford College, is the president and owner of First Rockford Group, Inc., a real estate development firm he founded in 1984. Singh, a graduate of Rutgers University, is the co-founder and director of programms at the Sikh Coalition, the nation’s largest Sikh civil rights organization.

“Our nation will be well-served by the skill and dedication these men and women bring to their new roles. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead,” said Obama in an announcement of the appointment of 16 new members to the advisory body.