In the nation’s capital and seat of power, a Filipina stands out as an effective political advocate who has helped raise the profile of Filipino Americans in the national landscape. She is Vellie Dietrich-Hall, one of two Filipino Americans on President George W. Bush’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

     Ms. Dietrich-Hall’s leadership in community initiatives promotes the common good and advocates for the protection of minorities’ rights. In her capacity as an advisor to the US President, she has contributed significantly to Asian communities in the US. Concurrently serving as the chair of the Entrepreneurship and Youth Outreach Committees, she is involved in several programs advancing economic and youth empowerment. In Northern Virginia, she conducts technical assistance seminars to reach out to Asian Americans in helping them learn financial literacy and the dynamics of putting up a successful business. She has established a sound reputation for service to the well being of children and families in Historic Filipinotown by providing health and human services, promoting community economic development, and organizing arts and cultural programs. She also collaborated with the Department of Justice to get the youth involved in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s internship program.

     Her commitment to the political empowerment of Filipino Americans has inspired those who view public policy as a powerful instrument of change and led her to be the Founding President of Filipino American Republicans of Virginia (FARV). A nationally recognized and dynamic political organization, FARV became a pilot model for the minority groups at the Republican National Committee. She is also a member of numerous political organizations such as Northern Virginia Task Force, Republican Party of Virginia, Asian American Republicans of Virginia, Republican National Committee, National Asian American Republican Coalition, National Movement of Filipino-American Republicans, Monticello Republican Council of Republican Women, Republican Senatorial Inner-Circle and National Federation of Republican Women.

     Politics, despite the obstacles, allowed Ms. Dietrich-Hall to touch many people’s lives. She believes that “In order for us to affect policies, to affect the lives of our children, we need to be active in politics.” Her colleagues say that she is an indefatigable leader, a great organizer and a people person. Her dedication to serve is exemplified through her affiliation with several organizations which include US Department of Commerce’s Race and Ethnic Advisory Committee, Fairfax County School Board’s Asian Achievement Focus Working Group, Virginia’s Violence Gang Working Group, Board of Directors of Heritage Community Development Center, Association of Governing Boards of US Universities and Colleges, American Coalition of Filipino Veterans, Republican Business Forum, National Defense Industrial Association, Gawad Kalinga and ANCOP Foundation, among others.

     Through sheer hard work and determination, she became the CEO of her own firm HPS Enterprises, an independent multimillion dollar consulting firm for the US Department of Defense. This feat made her one of the few leading businesswomen in a male-dominated industry. She also takes pride for being the first Asian American trustee of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, a premier educator of women in Lynchburg, Virginia, since its establishment in 1891.

     Alongside her successful career, she is a dedicated mother to her daughter, Ayn.

     In conferring the Pamana ng Pilipino Award to Vellie Dietrich-Hall, the President recognizes her exemplary leadership, work and commitment for the advancement of Asian Americans, and the empowerment of the Filipino American community.