Congress' minority caucuses unite to save treasured monuments

President Barack Obama used the Antiquities Act to create the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument off of Hawaii.which spans 582,578 square miles

FEARING THAT Donald Trump will seek to undo the work of previous presidents in preserving national monuments, members of Congress' minority caucuses gave a heads up to their leaders in the House and Senate.

The Congressional Tri-Caucus – which is composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) – sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to oppose any efforts that would restrict the President’s authority under the Antiquities Act and that would eliminate or reduce the boundaries of any existing national monument.

Released on April 18, the International Day for Monuments and Sites, the letter urges the leaders to defend the Antiquities Act, a law enacted by Congress in 1906 that has preserved world-renown places like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon. 

Used by the majority of Presidents since its enactment – eight Republicans and eight Democrats – the Antiquities Act is a time-tested, bipartisan tool that has helped tell our nation’s diverse story of struggles, hopes, and opportunities.

As the Tri-Caucus Chairs write: “A nation dedicated to the proposition that all of us are created equal must preserve and celebrate the full diversity of its rich culture and history. Any attempt to curtail the President’s authority to protect these places or to remove protections already put in place by other Presidents is an attack on our shared history. We urge you to stand against any proposal that would diminish existing national monuments or hamper the President’s ability to protect places that honor the contributions of all Americans.”

President Obama was criticized by Republicans for his use of the Antiquities Act to preserve places that are precious, irreplaceable resources for the American people.

Opposed by loggers, real estate developers and the big-business fishing industry, Republicans called Obama's actions to preserve these monuments "land grabs."

That Congress has utterly failed to do the right thing on behalf of communities, including the Asian/American and Hawaiian/American communities, clamoring for these places to be preserved is certainly not the president’s fault, nor is Obama’s subsequent intervention a sign that the Antiquities Act has spiraled out of control.

The letter is aligned with public opinion. In fact, a recent bi-partisan poll from The Colorado College State of the Rockies Project found that 80 percent of respondents supported keeping national monument designations. 

Recently, the Antiquities Act was used to designate the following sites as national monuments: Honouliuli National Monument, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad, Cesar Chavez National Monument, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Freedom Riders National Monument, Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks.

TGIF FEATURE: If you are Sikh - Happy Vaisakhi; ad campaign launched

TODAY (APRIL 14) marks the start of the Sikh New Year, Vaisakhi, during which millions in the United States and around the world celebrate the spring harvest and the birth of the global Sikh community. 

Timed to be launched on this new year's day, is  a $1.3 million series of powerful commercials, "We Are Sikhs." The awareness campaign seeks to stop hate-fueled attacks by explaining more about who Sikhs are and what they believe.

The advertising campaign was years in the making, funded by Sikh/American leaders and their families across a dozen U.S. communities, who are being mistaken for Muslims and are victims of the anti-Muslim sentiment that has arisen since the September 11 attacks and inflamed by the anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric in the political campaigns. 

Their beards and turbans - symbols of equality in a religion that opposes India's caste system - make Sikh/Americans easy targets for the angry and uninformed.

"Our hope was that as the memory of 9/11 goes down, things would get better. But they have not," said Rajwant Singh, a dentist from suburban Washington and one of the campaign's volunteer organizers.

The TV and Internet ads will air on CNN, Fox News and on TV stations in Fresno, California, home to perhaps the largest Sikh community in the U.S. The plan is to release the campaign in other cities that have large Sikh/American communities.
The overall tenor of the ads is positive rather than dwelling on the 300 hate crimes reported by Sikhs in the US since the 2001 terrorist attacks. The ads feature Sikh families explaining how the world's fifth-largest religion, founded in India, aligns with American values.

One of the men featured in an ad says, "We teach our kids the American values go hand in hand with the Sikh values: tolerance, religious freedom, gender equality."

Another ad highlights Sikhs embracing U.S. pop culture: "We like 'Game of Thrones'," one person says. "I'm obsessed with 'Star Wars'," says another. Watch one of the ads, below:

Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., CAPAC Chair:
“As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and a founder of the Congressional American Sikh Caucus, I wish a happy Vaisakhi to everyone celebrating today! Sikh Americans have made innumerable contributions to strengthening the fabric of our nation and represent the best of America. It is an honor to join Sikhs across the country and around the world to celebrate this joyous occasion!”

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., CAPAC Whip:
“Happy Vaisakhi to all those celebrating at home and around the world! I am proud that many Sikhs call California home and join them in celebrating the harvest festival.”

Rep.. Joe Crowley, D-NY, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus:
“Wishing a happy Vaisakhi to those celebrating in New York City and across the country. On this historically significant day, I remember the many contributions the Sikh community has made to our promote justice and equality in county and around the world.”

Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif.:
“As people around the world celebrate the creation of Khalsa and the harvest festival, I am proud to mark the gains made this year by the Sikh community. Happy Vaisakhi!”

Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY:
“It gives me great pleasure to wish the Sikh community in New York and throughout the world a very happy Vaisakhi. On this important day, I’m proud to recognize and salute the tremendous accomplishments and contributions that Sikhs have and continue to make to our nation. May everybody who observes the holiday have a joyous and prosperous celebration.”

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash.:
“I want to wish our Sikh community in the Puget Sound Region and around the world a Happy Vaisakhi! This annual spring gathering celebrates the importance of justice, prosperity, and equality for all people. I thank the Sikh community for their contributions to the culturally rich and diverse 9th Congressional District. I am honored to join in celebrating our Sikh/American neighbors on one of the most historically significant days for the Sikh community.”

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A softer, 'presidential' tone doesn't change Trump's policies, say AAPI critics & doubters

CAPAC asks - once, again - for meeting with Trump

Rep. Judy Chu, right, expresses her displeasure of President Trump's comments.

SORRY, TRUMP FANS. Just because Donald Trump proved he could read a teleprompter and he could speak with an "indoor voice," as one pundit described Trump's performance at the Joint Session of Congress, does not make him "presidential."

One night's performance doesn't erase the first five weeks of his administration or the nearly two year's of hate-inducing campaign rhetoric or the lies that flow too easily out of his mouth. As former GOP candidate Sarah Palin might say, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig."

The softer tone of the address spurred the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) to send another letter to him requesting a meeting.

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA, sent the first letter on Nov. 23, 2016 to then President-elect Donald Trump requesting that he meet with the Caucus to discuss pertinent issues impacting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. To date, CAPAC has not received a response regarding either meeting request.

“Since its inception, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus has engaged with both Democratic and Republican presidents to discuss issues of importance to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” said Chu. “These meetings have led to greater understanding of the issues impacting our communities and opened lines of communication to address these problems. 

President Trump still has to do more to convince
anyone that he has softened his tone.

"It is disappointing that our request to meet with President Trump has been ignored for so long. As the fastest growing racial population in the country, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a myriad of priorities that they would like to raise with the President – from the Muslim travel ban to the need to fix our broken immigration system. If President Trump is sincere about working to create unity in our country, I urge him to meet with CAPAC and work with us to address the diverse issues impacting the millions of Americans that we represent.”

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Ca was a bit more blunt. “President Trump used a new tone ... to repeat the same dishonest and dangerous ideas. On health care, immigration, the economy, and foreign policy, he continued his pattern of misrepresenting reality to justify policies that will hurt middle-class families and jeopardize America’s safety.

“It is particularly striking that after seven years and countless promises to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, Republicans are still repeating generic principles while offering no detailed plan and no legislation.

“After a month characterized by rambling press conferences and petty tweets, President Trump will likely be applauded for meeting the minimum standard we expect out of the leader of the free world. But his willingness to abandon the truth remains unprecedented, and his eagerness to portray immigrants as criminals is offensive and dangerous.

“Despite shifting his tone, the same reckless President Trump appeared before a Joint Session of Congress tonight. And I fully expect him to tweet about his television ratings tomorrow.”

“Last night, President Trump purported to provide a message of unity, but instead continued his tireless condemnation of immigrants," said Asian Americans Advancing Justice in a statement. "He divided the room with more anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies that seek to scapegoat and subjugate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), among other communities of color."

AAAJ, a coalition of legal organizations, noted the president's comments on immigration continued to depict immigrants as criminals contrary to several reports that say the opposite is true. Immigrants are less likely to commit a crime than native-born Americans.

"Rather than take the opportunity to speak up for immigrant and Muslim families, he used the family members of victims of tragic but rare events to vilify immigrants and stir fear and hatred. He described the creation of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which will list immigrants who have committed crimes. This plan serves no other purpose than to demonize immigrants and fuel racist propaganda, despite the reality that the true face of immigrants consists of peaceful families, workers, neighbors, and community members.

AAAJ also was troubled by Trump's plan to focus more on merit-based immigration, possibly dismantling the emphasis on family reunification. "A proposal that would dismantle the family-based immigration system that is responsible for the diversity we have in America today is a direct attack on our communities, keeping families separated and preventing immigrant communities from taking root."

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) National Director Christopher Kang issued a statement responding to Trump's speech.

"Although the president then promised a message of unity, he delivered more of the same anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies that seek to divide us. He declared that America must put its citizens first—relegating immigrants and refugees to second-class status—and repeatedly attacked immigrants as a drain on our economy and a source of increased crime, despite overwhelming evidence that both of these claims are lies. While the president spoke of keeping Americans safe, he continued to promote his administration’s inhumane immigration enforcement policies that only generate more fear in our communities. He also continued to fuel Islamophobia by declaring that we must “protect our nation from radical Islamic terrorism”—language his own National Security Advisor has repudiated."

“The President failed to provide comfort to the hundreds of thousands of DREAMers and their families who live under constant fear of deportation in California and across the country," said Sen. Kamala Harris, D-CA. "Treating all immigrants like criminals disparages the millions of incredibly hardworking and patriotic families who simply want a chance at the American dream.

“The President failed to provide assurances to the 5 million Californians who rely on the Affordable Care Act for their health insurance. Let’s be clear – access to health care is not the guarantee of health care. The American people are counting on us to improve and build on what we’ve made, not go back to a time when insurance companies could discriminate against women or those with a preexisting condition.

“And the President failed to speak to refugees, many of whom have been vetted for two years, but are now facing a country that denies them entry. I sat with refugees in California who were detained in airports for hours with their families and lawyers on the other side of a door. This is wrong and it makes us less safe.

DNC: Day 4 of Diary of A Hillary Volunteer - Now is our time!

Rep. Judy Chu of California.

By Nick Lee
Reprinted from AsAm News

MY THIRD DAY at the DNC began with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Caucus, where elected officials kept driving home the theme, “Now is our time”. Secretary Julian Castro gave stirring remarks that stressed the importance of the AAPI electorate and their role in the new minority-majority country that America will become. To me, this signifies a new generation of politician. One who knew not only how to communicate with his own community, but also with other communities of color. The AAPI and Latino communities have many important issues in common, such as immigration, and I hope that politicians like Castro are the beginning of a greater understanding, kinship, and collaboration between communities of color.

One of the major highlights of the evening events was a short video segment on the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) followed by speeches from the members. The video referenced back to major historical injustices wreaked on the AAPI community including the Chinese Exclusion Act and the unlawful incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. These examples are significant because in each instance the government failed to protect its AAPI citizens because of their race. Both the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese/American incarceration are incidents where xenophobia enabled our government to strip its citizens of the fundamental rights of citizenship such as due process and birthright citizenship because of their ethnic background.

RELATED: Diary of a Clinton Volunteer - Day 1,  

RELATED: Day 2 -Diary of a Clinton Volunteer - Message to Sanders supporters

RELATED: Day 3 - Remembering Joe Mantano

What struck me about the remarks from the members of Congress was how almost each one broke some kind of barrier and all were elected within my short lifetime. Mazie Hirono is the first AAPI woman senator, Judy Chu is the first Chinese/American woman in Congress, and Bobby Scott is the first Filipino/American elected to Congress from within the continental United States. Its incredible to me that thinking back only two decades ago, none of the members who spoke were in Congress and there were only a sparse number of AAPIs in Congressional history. This imparted a real sense of how far the community had come in gaining political power and how this election could be the next step towards advancing on those gains significantly.

Though President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Senator Kaine had rousing, celebratory speeches, the most emotionally charged event of the night for me was seeing one of the mothers of a victim of the Orlando Pulse shooting speak. Christine Leinonen mourned her son Christopher and decried the scourge of gun violence, pledging to support Hillary as her son had done before his death. She memorably said of her son, “his paternal grandparents were born in a Japanese internment camp. So, it was in his DNA that love always trumps hate.” This powerful testimony alone showed why it is so important that Hillary Clinton wins in November. A young Asian American man like myself was killed for being LGBT, and every member of Congress that has voted to protect assault weapons and the killers who them openly endorsed that killing.

RELATED: AAPI passionately participating at the DNC

RELATED: Asian Americans help shape Democratic Party platform

RELATED: AAPI delegates take the stage; a moment of pride 

RELATED: Reactions to President Obama's patriotic speech 

For a community whose history has been marginalized for as long as AAPIs, to have your history and community referenced and validated on such a large, national stage is so important. Republicans like to make the case that Asian/Americans are natural conservatives since many own small businesses and they are the “model minority,” wealthy, and well-educated. However, it makes no sense to me how this could ever be true once one knows the truth of our history. Our community has only ever become stronger by increasing progressive values, not decreasing them. Through struggle for recognition and rights we have lifted ourselves from the shadow of our own history and are edging towards the mainstream.

The politics of today’s Republican party are far distant from the party of Lincoln and are now much more closely aligned with the policies of Chinese Exclusion and Japanese internment camps. Donald Trump’s Muslim-ban policy’s closest cousin is the Chinese Exclusion Act, showing that he is a poor student of the history of the AAPI community. Additionally, his approval of Japanese/American incarceration in WWII, despite no evidence that Japanese Americans were disloyal to America, shows that he has failed to learn from America’s past mistakes. As we move towards the election, AAPIs should keep this in mind when they consider their choice in the voting booth.

(Nick Lee, a member of Chinese Americans for Hillary, will be sharing his thoughts all week with AsAmNews readers.)

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DNC: A moment of pride: AAPI lawmakers represent

OH, MAN! Lump-in-the-throat time. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus shared the stage at the Democratic National Convention today (July 27). But before they were introduced, a video that was both a tribute to their predecessors including Senators Patsy Mink and Daniel Inouye and Rep. Norman Mineta and a record of their achievements through the years.

For a lot of Americans, this may be the first exposure they've had on Asian/American and Pacific Islander history. 

Rep. Judy Chu, California, had the best line, "We've came from being marginalize to becoming the margin of victory" in key swing states like Virginia, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Chu is the first Chinese/American woman elected to Congress. Several of them stood at the podium to say why they are supporting Hillary Clinton. 

Diversity and inclusion seems to be the theme this afternoon at the Philadelphia conclave. It's hard to believe but it was only 37 years ago before any AAPI lawmakers walked Washington's marbled halls. Today there are 13 representatives and one senator.

"Today, we have a voice."

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AAPI Congress members endorse Clinton

Hillary For America

AAPI lawmakers threw their support towards Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton May 31.

A WEEK before the California Primary, the campaign for Sec. of State Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of a key group of legislators.

Today, (May 31) the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Leadership PAC, which includes several representatives and senators from California, urged Asian/American and Pacific Islander voters to back Clinton in her bid to become President.

The AAPI population in the Golden State is growing by leaps and bounds and the AAPI electorate, estimated to make up 12 percent of the state's voters, could be critical in deciding to which Democratic presidential candidate the state's hefty Democratic delegates will rally.

“There is so much at stake in this election, and we cannot tolerate any presidential candidate who promotes fear tactics, hateful rhetoric against immigrants and bullying,” CAPAC chair Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) said on Tuesday, alluding to Donald Trump, the GOP's presumptive candidate.

“We AAPIs must turn out the vote and ensure that our voice matters,” Chu said. “We must support the candidate who will bring us together, and make our nation more equal and just for everyone — and that person is Hillary Clinton.” 

A month ago, it was believed that Clinton had California in her pocket but a flurry of campaigning by Bernie Sanders throughout the state in the last two weeks has the race in a virtual tie, according to some polls.

While she was back east campaigning this week, Sanders stayed in California even making an appearance at the Golden State Warriors' clinching victory for the NBA's western conference championship. Clinton moved up her return to California to Thursday instead of waiting for the weekend hoping to bolster her lead.

RELATED: It's paramount to get more AAPI voters to the polls

"I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Leadership PAC," said Clinton in response to the endorsement.

"As both First Lady and Senator from New York, I was proud to work with the AAPI community to build a fairer, freer, more tolerant and more inclusive America. During the 90s, the Clinton Administration launched the first-ever White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, so the federal government would be more deliberate about helping all parts of the AAPI community succeed. 

"As President, I will fight alongside the AAPI community to at last pass comprehensive immigration reform with a path to full and equal citizenship. Still today, applicants from the Asia-Pacific region make up about 40 percent of the family visa backlog, and too many have waited decades to have the chance to be back with their families. 

In her statement, she also said she would defend Obamacare and improve it, increase investment in education "with universal pre-K and debt-free tuition."

RELATED: Clinton's campaign targeting the AAPI vote

Clinton launched a campaign aimed at the growing AAPI community in California last year while Sanders was concentrating on the early primaries. She recently was the only Presidential candidate to attend an event of the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (where President Obama spoke) kicking off the nation's observance of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month even though all candidates were invited.

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For more news about Asian/Americans & Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

Accused as spies, Asian/Am scientists still suffer repercussions even after charges dropped

Spy charges vs. Sherry Chen and Prof. Xiaoxing Xi were dropped but their ordeal continues. 

Reprinted from AsAm News

MORE THAN a year after charges were dropped against two Chinese/American scientists falsely accused of espionage in two separate cases, both remain haunted by their ordeal.

Their cases were profiled in a CBS 60 Minutes report last Sunday and the two have also given recent interviews to the Wall Street Journal and Philly.com.

“We cannot get rid of the thought that the FBI is reading every one of our emails and listening to our phone conversations to find something,” Xiaoxing Xi , 58, said to Philly.com. “I am determined to move on, but that’s there.”

Xi lost his temporary chairmanship of the Physics Department at Temple University after the charges, but remains as a professor. He still struggles to sleep at night.

Unlike Xi, Sherry Chen was unable to get her job back following her suspension from the National Weather Service and has since been fired for the same issues raised in the since dropped Justice Department complaint.

The Wall Street Journal reports she has filed a discrimination suit against the Commerce Department.

“The victim isn’t only me–it’s also our agency,” she said. “I have a lot of work unfinished. My [forecasting] model really saves people’s lives”

“If you took out the China connection, neither of those cases would have ever been brought in a millions years,” said Peter Zeidenberg, an attorney who represented both Chen and Xi. “Everything that has a China connection is scrutinized in a different way.”

Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), points out in a press release that what happened to Xi is not an isolated incident. Within the last 18 months, Chinese American scientists Guoqing Cao, Shuyu Li, Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi have emerged in a string of cases in which espionage-related cases were brought forth and later dropped – without explanation.

“Their lives were turned upside down simply because they were emailing while being Asian American,” said Chu in the CAPAC release that noted the Department of Justice’s new oversight policy in regards to national security-related cases, yet questioned its efficacy. 

“The public is still being denied any investigation explaining why there appears to be a pattern of singling out Asian Americans by federal law enforcement … I demand that the Department of Justice launch a full, independent investigation into the cases of these wrongfully charged individuals. I also look forward to hearing directly from Attorney General (Loretta) Lynch regarding DOJ’s new policy to provide greater oversight on espionage-related cases, and the Department’s plans to avoid such egregious missteps in the future.”

It’s difficult for Chen and Xi to shake their experience from their conscious.

“I see dangers all over the place,” said Xi. “I think I sound very annoyingly paranoid when I talk to my colleagues because I tell them, ‘You better be careful, what you’re doing is dangerous.’ ”

Forty members of congress have called for the Justice Department to conduct an investigation into racial profiling of Asian Americans. So far, Attorney General Loretta Lynch has not responded to the request.
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Spy charges dropped against Asian/American scientists; Asian congressional caucus warn against racial profiling

Espionage charges were dropped against Xi Xiaoxin

ON MONDAY, (Sept. 14) members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) called upon the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate a pattern of cases in which U.S. citizens of Asian descent have been wrongfully arrested or charged with alleged espionage.

On Friday (Sept. 11), the Department of Justice dropped all charges against Dr. Xi Xiaoxing of Temple University.  Federal agents stormed his house with guns drawn, arrested him as he was taken away from his family in handcuffs, accused him of being a spy for China, and his title of Chair of the Physics Department was taken away.

“I don’t expect them to understand everything I do,” Xiaxing told the New York Times. “But the fact that they don’t consult with experts and then charge me? Put my family through all of this? Damage my reputation? They shouldn’t do this. This is not a joke. This is not a game.”

Rep. Judy Chu 

The charges against Xeroxing and other Chinese scientists has raised the concern of the congressmembers.

“I am deeply troubled by what appears to be a growing pattern of Chinese American employees being targeted and charged of spying and economic espionage, only to have those charges later dropped," said CAPAC chair Rep. Judy Chu of California.

“Just last week, the Department of Justice dropped all of its charges against Temple University professor Xi Xiaoxing, who was accused of sharing sensitive U.S. technology with China," she said. 

In March, another naturalized U.S. citizen, government hydrologist Sherry Chen, discovered she would not be tried for accessing sensitive data and lying to federal agents.

In both cases, their lawyer said, Department of Justice prosecutors dropped the criminal cases against them once confronted with detailed explanations of the facts.

"These incidents are eerily reminiscent of the case of Chinese/American scientist Wen Ho Lee, who was charged with 59 counts of espionage, fired from his job, taken to jail, and held in solitary confinement only to have 58 of the charges later dropped," said Chu.

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. 

“We now see a recurring theme of false allegations being placed on patriotic, law-abiding American citizens of Chinese descent," said Rep. Mike Honda, Calif. "A person’s ethnicity should never be sufficient justification for charges or suspicions being brought upon them," 

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