Compiled by Karen S. Kim

“The rush to judgment that occurred in my case was prompted by a number of calculated, unlawful leaks by government officials.”

WEN HO LEE, former nuclear scientist who was fired from his job and held in solitary confinement for nine months in 1999 after becoming the target of a spying probe, has been awarded a $1.65 million settlement to end his lawsuit claiming the US government violated his privacy by leaking his personal files. Part of the settlement will be paid by five news agencies: Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, ABC, New York Times and Washington Post, whose reporters declined to disclose their governmental sources on the stories involving the case.

“As a first generation American, I saw firsthand the sacrifice my family made so that I would have the opportunities of a better life that they did not have.”

RAJ PETER BHAKTA, a Republican who is hoping in November to unseat an incumbent in the House of Representatives and represent his hometown of Philadelphia. Bhakta is half Irish, half Indian and his penchant for wearing bowties became well known during his 2004 stint on The Apprentice.

“I would really like an Asian to make it there. I would like that Asian to be me.”

RAIN, 23-year old Korean pop music sensation who is hoping to crossover into the American music market. Often called the “Korean Justin Timberlake,” Rain performed to two sold out crowds at Madison Square Garden in New York and was voted the second most influential entertainer in the world by Time magazine in 2006.

“It is in the best interest of the State of California to respect, embrace and understand the full diversity of its citizens.”

SENATE BILL 1615, by California state Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), that is circulating the Legislature. The legislation, if enacted, would require that state agencies, boards and commissions that collect demographic data allow respondents of mixed heritage to select more than one racial designation.