By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
Korean-American community activist Joseph Pak was nominated as a member of the U.S. National Council on Disability by President Barack Obama.
If confirmed by the Senate, Pak, 57, will become the only Asian-American to join the group that advises the president on policies on equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
After having polio as a child, Pak's left arm was paralyzed. He immigrated to the U.S. when he was 19 and has worked as a social worker for the Korean-American community.
Pak is currently vice president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach, Calif. His initial term is for three years, and he can be reelected one time.
``This is truly an honor and I'm really humbled by this recognition,'' Pak was quoted as saying by the Orange County Register. He said while times are tough now because of the recession, when things improve and ``the high tide comes, I want all the boats to be lifted at the same time, including the boat with people with disabilities.''
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Santa Ana, who nominated Pak for this position, called him ``a well-known and well-respected advocate for Orange County's disabled community who is well-suited to represent our nation on the National Council on Disability.''