Group aims to get out Asian-American vote

Peter Gong, a fervent supporter of Senator John F. Kerry, came to Boston last week to participate in a political cause and a national convention.

But the 61-year-old Gong will not attend the Democratic National Convention, which opens July 26. Instead, he arrived in Boston for the 26th annual convention of the Organization of Chinese Americans, one of the largest and oldest groups organized to advocate for Asian-Americans.

While the Organization of Chinese Americans is nonpartisan and backs neither candidate for president, Gong said he made his personal political views clear while urging all Asian-Americans to head to the polls.

''We are trying to get our people to get out and vote," said Gong, of New Hyde Park, N.Y. As a veteran of the Vietnam War, he said Asian-Americans ''did our share -- we want recognition."

The four-day convention at area universities included workshops on topics ranging from community empowerment to adoption of Asian babies and children. But organizers said the main message to the convention's 1,000 attendees was to hit the ballot box.

''We know we can have a lot of impact on the next election," said Janelle Hu, national director of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote 2004. ''Our numbers are very strong. . . . we have the potential to swing the election."

Christine Chen, executive director of the 10,000-strong Organization of Chinese Americans, said politicians have long ignored the political clout of Asian-Americans. In a close election, that vote could spell the difference, she said.

''We are part of the American fabric," said Chen, whose organization includes Chinese and other Asian-Americans. ''The issues that we are fighting for are some of the same issues other Americans are fighting for."

Chen said that members of the Kerry campaign have met with officials of her organization, and that she is still waiting to hear back from the campaign staff of President Bush.

Alonso Soto can be reached at asoto@globe.com.