Southwest Airlines has announced a partnership as the Official Airline of the Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Institute and Asian and Pacific Islander (APIA) Vote Town Hall. APIA Vote is a national nonprofit organization that encourages civic participation of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the electoral and public policy processes at the national, state and local levels."APIA has a very ambitious goal focused on increasing civic engagement," says Kim Delevett, Southwest Airlines Manager of Community Affairs.

"At Southwest, we are extremely passionate about promoting grassroots legislative awareness. This partnership seemed like a wonderful fit for both groups." The Airline will provide tickets to the institute throughout 2008 and will also help fly APIA Vote scholarship recipients to attend the first Asian American Presidential Town Hall.

"APIAVote and Southwest Airlines, both, envision a society in which all Asian Pacific Islander Americans fully participate in, and have access to, the democratic process," said Delevett.The Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Institute was launched in October 2006 in honor of Secretary Mineta's lifetime achievements in exemplifying and promoting civic participation and public service.