Oceanside, CA – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (CA-49) announced that Ilima Martinez and Kevin Shin, founders of the SoCal API Fest, are his May 2023 Constituents of the Month.
Ilima and Kevin brought the first annual Southern California Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Festival to downtown Oceanside on April 29, 2023. Thousands of Southern California residents attended the festival to kick off Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and learn about the diversity and traditions of AANHPI cultures. Rep. Levin is proud to recognize the remarkable work Ilima Martinez and Kevin Shin are doing to contribute to this unique and beautiful district.
See below for Rep. Levin’s statement recognizing Ilima Martinez in the Congressional Record:
“M. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Ilima Martinez as one of my May Constituents of the Month. As the Founder and President of Umeke Organization, Ilima works to preserve Hawaiian culture and traditions.
“Ilima has more than a decade of experience of doing this work and this year, Ilima used her experience to organize the first annual Southern California Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Festival to celebrate the rich history of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in our community. I have no doubt she will continue to make a difference in our region.
“During Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I am proud to celebrate the exceptional efforts of individuals like Ilima Martinez who volunteer their time and contribute to our unique and beautiful district. I’m so grateful for CA-49 residents who dedicate their lives to the betterment of our residents and community, and I’m proud to honor Ilima Martinez as my May Constituent of the Month.”
See below for Rep. Levin’s statement recognizing Kevin Shin in the Congressional Record:
“M. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Kevin Shin as one of my May Constituents of the Month.
“As a veteran, businessowner, and volunteer, Kevin has served our district in countless ways and has worked tirelessly to make our community a better place to live. Kevin used his experience to organize the first annual Southern California Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Festival to celebrate the rich history of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in our community. I have no doubt he will continue to make a difference in our region.
“During Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I am proud to celebrate the exceptional work of individuals like Kevin Shin who volunteer their time to contribute to our unique and beautiful district. I’m honored to recognize and thank Kevin for his service in the U.S. military and for his service to our region. Kevin is a true leader, and I am proud to honor him this month.”
Representative Levin’s Constituent of the Month program recognizes outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and represent the best of our country. Rep. Levin’s April Constituent of the Month was Joe Jackson, local paramedic with the Camp Pendleton Fire Department. Rep. Levin’s March Constituent of the Month was local CEO of EcoDirect Renee Donaldson. To nominate a resident of the 49th District to be the Constituent of the Month, fill out this nomination form.
