Breaking the Silence: Congressional Reps want May 10 declared as AANHPI Mental Health Day

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Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have traditionally  been reluctant to seek mental health assistance. In an attempt to bring attention to this silent statistic, the first Congressional resolution was introduced to recognize May 10 as AANHPI Mental Health Day.

“Our mental health is impacted by all aspects of our lives, yet it is a topic that AANHPIs seldom talk about," read a statement from the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA). "This resolution can play a critical role in raising awareness around the importance of having difficult conversations while also recognizing that mental health is also about celebrating who we are as we embrace our cultural heritage.”

May 10 has been recognized as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day in the State of California since 2010, but is not a federally recognized day yet. 

This federal resolution calls upon members of Congress to promote national awareness of mental health issues unique to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community and urges State and local health agencies across the nation to improve the quality and availability of mental health services for this population. 

According to data collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), AANHPIs have the lowest help-seeking rate of any racial/ethnic group, with only 23.3% of AANHPI adults with a mental illness receiving treatment in 2019. 

RELATED: How the mental health system fails AANHPI communities

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, but it is the leading cause of death for Asian or Pacific Islander youth ages 15-24. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these problems as increased racial violence and discrimination against the Asian American community has increased the need for mental health services. 

“This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, more Americans than ever are rallying around our community to help stop anti-Asian hate. But there is another long-term threat to the wellbeing of our communities, and that is the lack of mental healthcare that meets the needs of the AANHPI community,” said Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA, who sponsored the resolution and who is chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

“Either because of stigma or the lack of linguistically and culturally appropriate care, many AANHPIs neglect their mental health, and it has resulted in disproportionate rates of problems like suicide and depression," said Chu. "That is why, today and for the rest of Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s essential that we urge all AANHPIs to take care of their mental health just as they would their physical health."

Chu was joined by U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui D0CA, Kai Kahele (HI-02), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) in introducing this resolution.

“Nearly all of us have a friend, family member, or loved one who lives with a mental illness. That is why it is critical that we continue to break down barriers to care and work to end the stigma in our communities,” said Matsui. 

“Especially over the past year, members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have been challenged by both the pandemic and the rise in anti-AAPI racism. Now, more than ever, we must meet this moment with a comprehensive health care strategy that prioritizes our mental health and well-being," said Matsui.

“AANHPI communities have some of the greatest mental health needs, but access to culturally competent and in-language services remain a barrier that has only been exasperated by the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and the surge in hate incidents,” said Juliet K. Choi, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AAPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

House unanimously pass bill to help preserve WWII incarceration camps for Japanese Americans

The Amache Internment Camp in Colorado as it looked in WWII.

The drive to preserve the incarceration camps used to relocate Japanese Americans during WWII came a step closer to reality with the unanimous passage of the Japanese American Confinement Education (JACE) Act in the House of Representatives last week.

“The Japanese American story is one that is not told nearly enough. It is one of pain, one of redemption, and one of enrichment," said Rep. Doris Matsui, D-CA, who was born in the euphemistically named the Poston Relocation Center in western Arizona in 1944,

"This bill will ensure that these lessons live into the future – that we continue bending the moral arc of this country by sharing these stories, lifting our voices, and fighting so that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past."

In 2006, the Japanese American Confinement Sites (JACS) Program was established for the preservation and interpretation of U.S. confinement sites where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II.

This original legislation was introduced by then-Representative Bill Thomas, Doris Matsui, and Mike Honda. Since the first year of funding in Fiscal Year 2009, $36 million has been provided to 268 projects in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Funding has ranged from as little as $5,000 to over $800 thousand for a single project. 

The JACE act provides an additional $42 million dollars in funding for a total of $80 million. Of that total, $10 million in funding may be used by Japanese American organizations to implement education programs to ensure that present and future generations of Americans will learn from the experience of Japanese American confinement and our country’s subsequent commitment to equal justice under law.

This funding will be used for research and education relating to Japanese American incarceration, and the creation and disbursement of educational materials to promote a national understanding of how and why about 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during WWII.

The Japanese American Citizen League gave credit to Matsui for her leadership in authoring and championing the JACE Act and to Chairman Neguse, Ranking Member Fulcher, and the rest of the members of the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands subcommittee for shepherding the JACE act to passage.

The JACL urges the Senate to swiftly pass the JACE Act (S.988) where it was sponsored by Hawaii's Sen. Brian Schatz.

"The essence of the American experience isn’t that we’re perfect," said Matsui, "it is that we heal from seeing where we’ve been and teach our younger generations to build a more inclusive, equitable future.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and tips from an AAPI perspective, follow me on Twitter @DioknoEd.

President, Vice President meet with AAPI Congressional leaders

SCREEN CAPTURE / CNN

AAPI Congressional leaders met Thursday with President Biden and Vice President Harris.

The leadership of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) met Thursday with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the Oval Office to discuss critical priorities for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. 

“Our meeting today was warm and addressed a number of urgent priorities," said Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Caucus, "like the importance of passing the American Jobs Plan, combatting anti-Asian hate crimes, addressing COVID-19 disparities, fixing our broken immigration system, increasing AAPI representation in senior government roles, prioritizing data disaggregation and language access, reauthorizing the White House Initiative on AAPIs, and reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to advancing Native Hawaiian rights."

Besides giving the AAPI Congressional delegation a face-to-face meeting with Biden and Harris, it gave the President the opportunity to smooth over any ruffled feathers caused by not having an AAPI Secretary in his Cabinet,  the first time since 2000 that Asian Americans were absent among the President's top advisors.

Biden highlighted his recent Statement of Administration Policy that condemns in the strongest possible terms the increasing acts of anti-Asian bias, harassment and violence, and conveyed his ongoing support of the legislation introduced by Senator Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Grace Meng, which moved forward in the Senate Thursday with overwhelming bipartisan support.

The President and Vice President Harris, the first Asian American in that post, shared their vision in the American Jobs Plan to invest in shared CAPAC infrastructure priorities, including care economy infrastructure and digital infrastructure.

A day earlier, Biden named Erika Moritsugu as Deputy Assistant to the President and AAPI Senior Liaison, a position the White House promised after Senators Mazie Hirono, D-HI, and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill, threatened to withhold their votes on Biden's other non-diversity nominees that would prevent their appointments.

"I know first-hand that @POTUS will benefit from Erika's counsel, policy expertise & strong relationship-building skills as he seeks to ensure AAPI leaders are present at the highest levels of government," tweeted Duckworth, who employed Mortsugu as the senator's general counsel.

The CAPAC delegation included Chu, First Vice Chair Rep. Grace Meng, Second Vice Chair Rep. Mark Takano, Freshman Representative Kaiali‘i Kahele, Senators Duckworth and Hirono, and Rep. Doris Matsui. 

Chu listed the other topics discussed: “I am also pleased that we were able to discuss the importance of ensuring that AAPI history is included in educational curricula. We also underscored the importance of creating a Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History Museum to ensure that all Americans understand the rich history and contributions of the AAPI community. And we discussed the need to prioritize AAPI data disaggregation and language access as a critical component of the President’s strong commitment to advancing racial equity throughout the federal government."

Impeaching Donald Trump: AAPI members of Congress vote along party lines

SCREEN CAPTURE / C-SPAN

Rep. Ted Lieu will manage Donald Trump's impeachment in front of the U.S. Senate.

On Korean American Day, the four Korean American Congressmembers split along party lines on the initiative to impeach Donald Trump. The day commemorates the arrival of the first Koreans to the U.S. in 1903.

Democrats Andy Kim (NJ) and Marilyn Strickland (WA) voted Wednesday (Jan. 13)  for impeachment and California Republicans Young Kim and Michelle Steel voted no.

With a vote of 232 to 197, the House of Representatives charged Trump with "incitement of insurrection" for his role in the violent takeover byTrump supporters and white supremacists of the U.S. Capitol building that left five people dead and terrorized lawmakers as they sought to confirm the Electoral College votes that gave President-elect Joe Biden a victory last Nov. 3.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named Rep. Ted Lieu, D-CA, to manage the impeachment and argue for conviction in front of the Senate.

Unlike 13 months ago when the House voted for the first impeachment of Trump and the vote was strictly along party lines, 10 Republicans crossed party lines this time to vote with the Democrats, including Rep. Liz Cheney, the third highest ranking Republican in the House.

With the exception of first-term lawmakers Young Kim and Steel, the other  AAPI Representatives are Democrats and voted for impeachment along party lines. Besides the aforementioned Strickland, Andy Kim. They include: Californians Ted Lieu, Ro Khanna, Mark Takano, Judy Chu, Ami Bera, Doris Matsui and newly installed Kai Kahele of Hawaii, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Grace Meng of New York, Virginia's Bobby Scott and Stephanie Murphy of Florida.

"The bipartisan vote reaffirms that security of our democracy is our first priority," said Congressman Scott, who is of Filipino descent. "I hope the Senate will convict/remove Donald Trump and we can move forward from this dark chapter."

“It is not with joy that I have voted to impeach the President for a second time. I am taking a stand to ensure the future for our children and grandchildren," said Rep. Matsui. "When we are asked by future generations what we did, we must be able to tell them that we fulfilled our obligation to keep our democracy strong. (Trump) remains a clear and present danger to our nation as long as he is able to hold elected office, and that is why we acted to impeach him immediately.”

“Today’s impeachment is not about dividing this country. It’s about uniting all patriotic Americans against the unconstitutional actions of an out-of-control president—a president who incited insurrection against our great nation,” said Florida's Murphy. (Murphy's full statement is below.)

Trump is the only U.S. President to be impeached twice. Trump's was impeached in 2019 for trying to get Ukraine officials to dig up dirt of alleged corrupt business dealings = by Hunter Biden, the son of President-elect Joe Biden. The allegations, which proved untrue, were, nevertheless, raised by Trump against Biden during the campaign. The Senate rejected the impeachment.

The current charge of impeachment against Trump claims Trump "incited an insurrection" against Congress when he spoke at a rally of people who believed Trump's lies claiming that the 2020 Presidential election was rigged and that he actually won. 

The "incitement of insurrection" article of impeachment was introduced Monday by three House Democrats: Ted Lieu of California , Jaime Raskin of Maryland and David Cicilline of Rhode Island.

Lieu got the impeachment ball rolling while insurrectionists were roaming the halls of the Capitol after breaking through the lines of overwhelmed police officers  He texted the Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee about the need to impeach.

“I was just super pissed off,” said Lieu, an officer in the Air Force Reserves and represents a district that includes parts of  Los Angeles and Hollywood.

The impeachment is like an indictment and the hearing before the U.S. Senate is like a trial. Chief Justice Roberts will preside and two-thirds of the Senators present is needed for a conviction. The Senate is not set to meet until Jan.1 19, a day before Biden's inauguration so the articles of impeachment would likely be presented to the newly constituted Senate that will be controlled by the Democrats.

A former president can still be found guilty by the Senate. While the main penalty for a guilty verdict in an impeachment trial is removal from office, senators could vote to bar Trump from holding office in the future. That's an important incentive for both parties becuase Trump has not ruled out running for president in 2024. He could also lose his six-figure pension and other post-presidential perks.

The final text for impeachment states: “President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government. He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of Government. He thereby betrayed his trust as president, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.”

California Assembly passes resolution apologizing for WW2 incarceration of Japanese Americans

2018 PHOTO

Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi sponsored the resolution apologizing for Japanese American incarceration,

It took 78 years but the state of California finally acknowledged its role in the World War 2 incarceration of Japanese Americans by starting the process of issuing an official apology.
The California Assembly unanimously passed the resolution Thursday afternoon. The Senate will vote on its companion measure soon and then the resolution will go to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature.

Even though the US Congress issued a similar apology in 1983, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi who sponsored the resolution felt it important for the state to iissue its own formal apology. 

"Unfortunately, during the years leading up to World War II, California was at the forefront and led the nation in so many ways in fanning the flames of racism and immigrant scapegoating against Japanese Americans," said Muratsuchi, who was born in Japan.

"I felt that it was important to document this uniquely Californian history of racism and immigrant scapegoating against Japanese Americans."

The Golden State has the largest population of people of Japanese descent of any state, numbering around 430,000.

The resolution came a day after Newsom declared Feb. 19 a Day of Remembrance. That's the date in 1942 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order that led to the imprisonment of Japanese Americans across 10 camps in the West and Arkansas.

"This stain on our history should remind us to always stand up for our fellow Americans, regardless of their national origin or immigration status, and protect the civil rights and liberties that we hold dear," said Newsom on Wednesday.

Japanese Americans also felt it was important to have the resolution because of the current anti-immigrant climate fueld by the Donald Trump administration policies such as the Muslim travel ban and the harsh treatment of asylum speakers at the US' southern border with Mexico that includes the separation of infants and children from their parents.

The Japanese American Citizens League has been outspoken against Trump's treatment of sould-be immigrants and the detention centers that houses thousands of refugees.

“Given recent national events, it is all the more important to learn from the mistakes of the past and to ensure that such an assault on freedom will never again happen to any community in the United States,” the Assembly resolution states.

“Nearly 80 years later, I'm glad that my home state of California is passing a resolution to formally apologize to the Japanese American community for the role it played in perpetrating these atrocities. This apology is long overdue, but necessary," said Rep. Mark Takano.

"Now, we must continue fighting against the Trump Administration’s xenophobic agenda and speak out against the fearmongering that targets innocent communities. It’s up to us to prevent history from repeating itself, and this starts by Congress passing the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act – legislation I introduced with Senator (Mazie) Hirono to prevent the unjust imprisonment of people on the basis of race, religion, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability. We must do everything we can to safeguard our liberties.”

Rep. Doris Matsui added, “Through our profound sense of togetherness, we will continue bending the moral arc of this country by lifting our voices and fighting so that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Our country’s strength is its diversity, and Japanese Americans, as well as all immigrant communities, will continue to make that American tapestry that much more vibrant.”

Japanese Americans angry that former WWII incarceration site will be used to detain immigrant children

ASAM NEWS & VIEWS FROM THE EDGE

The Trump administration's plan to turn a former site to incarcerate Japanese Americans during WWII to a detention center for immigrant children is like "a gut punch," say Japanese American activists.

Health and Human Services has decided to send immigrant children in their custody to an army base in Oklahoma because it is running out of room at government shelters, Time reports. The children will be detained at Fort Sill, a 150-year-old army base that once served as a incarceration center for Japanese Americans during WWII.

The Obama administration also used the base to temporarily detain immigrant children for four months in 2014.

“The Trump administration’s decision to use a military base that once housed Japanese Americans during internment is fundamentally wrong and tone-deaf,” Rep. Doris Matsui, a California Democrat who was born in the Poston War Relocation Center internment camp in Poston, Arizona, told The Daily Beast. “With this recent action, I fear that the Trump administration is ignoring a painful moment of our past.”

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Fort Sill will be used as “a temporary emergency influx shelter.” The influx comes as the HHS prepares to detain a record number of immigrant children. According to Time, the Trump administration has detained 40,900 children through April 30, a 57% increase from last year. The administration is on track to surpass the record-breaking 59,171 children it detained in 2016.

The Trump administration also considered using two other bases in Georgia and Montana to detain immigrant children in their custody, The Hill reports. However, the HHS says those two bases are no longer being considered as possible detainment sites.

The Trump Administration will detain 1,400 unaccompanied children at Fort Sill. They will be detained until they can be given to an adult relative.

The decision to use the site of an internment camp as an emergency detention facility highlights parallels that have been made between the Trump administration and the incarcerationt of Japanese Americans during World War II.

While campaigning in 2015, according to Rolling Stone, Trump said that he might have supported internment of Japanese Americans. “I would have had to be there at the time to tell you, to give you a proper answer,” he said. “I certainly hate the concept of it. But I would have had to be there at the time to give you a proper answer.”

“That our country is once again incarcerating children in facilities used previously to incarcerate Japanese Americans is like a gut punch to the Japanese American community, many of whom continue to feel the effects of the inter-generational trauma inflicted from their families' incarceration experiences,” David Inoue, executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League, told The Daily Beast. “The damage being done to these children is immoral.”

“Families like mine still bear the scars from the suffering they underwent when they were held in Japanese internment camps during World War II. It is shameful and immoral for our government to be holding immigrant children seeking asylum in those very same facilities that caused so much suffering," said Rep. Mark Takano, D-CA.  'Military bases, makeshift camps, and federal prison cells are not appropriate places to house people who are coming to this country seeking asylum, especially children. 

"The inhumanity we are witnessing, and the treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers has become a humanitarian crisis that must be addressed. We must restore humanity into our immigration process and fix our broken immigration system to keep families together and support those seeking refuge in America.”

UPDATED June 17, to include remarks of Rep. Mark Takano.

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Asian American Democrats blast Trump's speech full of lies

SCREEN CAPTURE / MSNBC

DONALD TRUMP's speech last night (Dec. 8) could have been much worse; he could have declared a national emergency, diverted funds from other parts of the government and have the military build his Stupid Wall on the border with Mexico.

Instead, the speech he delivered in prime time on all the networks was the same old drivel he's been spouting since he declared his candidacy for president in 2015. His primary goal was to appeal to his base of supporters to put pressure on Congress to include $5-billion  for his border wall in the 2019-2020 budget.

Speaking in the formal setting of the Oval Office and reading from a teleprompter, Trump appeared subdued compared to when he speaks to his cheering supporters.

"Donald Trump sounds like a broken record," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-WA, "He reverts to the same old script -- demagoguery and xenophobia -- because that's all he knows how to do. ' 

"The fact is that even the Department of Homeland Security says the Southern border, where the Trump administration wants . to build a wall is more difficult to cross without authorization today than ever before," she said. 

"Apprehensions are at the lowest rate ever, And so much he wants to paint a different picture, immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than native born Americans, Furthermore, we know that the majority of drugs come in at legal points of entry -- not where there is no wall. This has never been about security. It is simply political.

"President Trump is right: it is about right and wrong -- and what he has done and continues to do is just wrong; separating families, shutting down legal asylum, imprisoning more and more people in immigration prisons," Jayapal said.

"... This speech belongs in the dustbin -- it is time to move and get things done for our country."

Jayapal was among the Democratic AAPI politicians who watched the 10 minute speech.

“For over 18 days, he has misled the American people about the situation at the southern border and the need for a border wall," said Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY, in a press release. 

"Only President Trump is responsible for the government shutdown and the impasse between the White House and Congress. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrats have passed clean spending bills to fund the federal government that are identical to the ones that the Senate passed back in December.

"Democrats support smart, effective border security solutions, not an ineffective border wall. The only person who is keeping federal employees from receiving their paychecks is President Trump. Democrats are ready to re-open the federal government if only President Trump would agree to fund the federal government at levels the Republican Senate has already approved.”

AAPI Heritage: Congressional members extol AAPI contributions and history

MEMBERS of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and other Congressional leaders will be celebrating the month with ceremonies May 16 but they released their statements regarding Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Tuesday, May 1.

AAPI Month is celebrated each May to recognize the history, contributions, and achievements of the Asian American and Pacific Island•er (AAPI) community. The proclamation was signed by Donald Trump earlier on Tuesday.

May is officially designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month by section 102 of title 36, United States Code. The observance originally began as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, which was established through a joint Congressional resolution in 1978 and was later expanded to a full month in 1992. 

The month of May was chosen due to two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: May 7, 1843, when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, and May 10, 1869, when the first transcontinental railroad was completed with substantial contributions from Chinese immigrant workers.

The CAPAC will have an official ceremony on May 16, noon until 2 p.m. in the Kennedy Caucus Room in the Senate Russell Office Building, Room 325, in Washington D.C.

Statements from Congressional leaders:

• Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., CAPAC chair:

“Each May, we come together to celebrate the vibrant history and widespread contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to our nation. As laborers who helped build the first transcontinental railroad and contribute to the farm worker movement, and military service members who have fought valiantly in battles dating back to the American Civil War, the rich cultural heritage of the AAPI community is inextricably woven into the fabric of our nation. From our indigenous Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities to our more recent refugee and immigrant populations, AAPIs have also planted deep roots in their local communities as small business owners, entrepreneurs, teachers, doctors, artists, lawyers, scientists, and public servants.

“As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, let us honor the tireless work of generations of AAPIs who came before us and recommit ourselves to advancing the work that still lies ahead. Together, we have the power to speak out against dangerous policies targeting immigrant, refugee, and minority populations and to build a brighter future for generations to come.”

• Rep. Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam, CAPAC vice chair:

“Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a celebration of our diversity and the contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make to our nation every day. We are a nation of immigrants, whose ancestors came to America seeking liberty, prosperity, and human dignity. As we celebrate APA Heritage Month, we should be mindful of this history and remember that ours was a country founded on compassion and justice. I am proud to join my colleagues in honoring the heritages of all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and I encourage all Americans to take time during APA Heritage Month to appreciate the achievements and patriotism of the AAPI community.”

• Rep.Ted Lieu, D-Calif, CAPAC Whip:

“This month, we celebrate and honor our country’s Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The AAPI community has made indelible contributions to American society and culture and continues to demonstrate the importance and value of diversity and inclusion. As an Asian American, I am grateful for the AAPI trailblazers who carved a path for people like me to thrive fields like public service, art, education, business, research, science, journalism and entertainment. Ensuring people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed is the best thing we can do for our country.”

CAPAC Executive Board Members

• Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii:

“The AAPI community has made exceptional contributions to our country throughout history. Hawai‘i’s own leaders like Senator Daniel Inouye, Senator Daniel Akaka, Congresswoman Patsy Mink, the Nisei-only 442nd Infantry Regiment, and our Filipino WWII Veterans have shaped our collective history by breaking down barriers and working with unwavering conviction to better the lives of all Americans. Our AAPI community today continues to lead across every sector—from government, business, and military service, to culture, arts, technology, healthcare, and so much more.”

• Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif.:

“It is an honor and privilege to represent a district as diverse as California’s 34th Congressional District. From the communities of Koreatown, Chinatown, and Historic Filipinotown, to the neighborhoods of Little Tokyo and Little Bangladesh, Los Angeles provides a diversity of art, culture, and cuisine unlike any other city in the country. As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I join my colleagues in honoring the immense contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to America’s greater story and I’m proud to be one of their representatives in Congress.”

• Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii:

“As we mark Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by honoring the contributions our community has made to America, let us remember that there is so much more work to be done. Hawaii is the only majority-AAPI state in the country. Our history is full of examples of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders working to build the foundations of our state’s success in business, education, military service, science, engineering and the arts. The AAPI community is one of the fastest growing groups in America. But as our country continues to diversify we must recognize that we live in challenging times. Divisive rhetoric, discrimination and racism have been given a prominent platform in America. It is up to all of us to remember the struggles of those who came before us. As we honor their work, let us remember their perseverance and continue their fight for equality.”

• Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.:

“The many contributions that Asians and Pacific Islanders have made to the community in Silicon Valley and to our country are a testimony to the benefits of embracing diversity. We must ensure that America remains a nation where people from all backgrounds are free to pursue their potential and the American dream.”

• Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif.:

“This May, I’m proud to join communities across the country in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. By opening new businesses, participating in the arts, serving in elected office, and pioneering new scientific discoveries, the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans are a vital part of our nation’s civic, economic, and cultural development. The East Bay’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths and I am proud to represent such a vibrant Asian Pacific American community. As a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and co-chair of the CAPAC Health Care Task Force, I’m committed to expanding opportunity and ensuring that every family can realize the American Dream.”

• Rep. Doris O. Matsui, D-Calif.:

“I’m pleased to join my colleagues in celebrating the profound impact that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have had on American life. From contributions in the arts, to science, to civic life, the AAPI community has played in an important role in enhancing our country’s multifaceted identity. This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I encourage all Americans to join in celebrating those contributions and look for ways to value diversity in their communities.”

• Rep. Grace Meng, D-Calif.:

“I’m thrilled to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) with my fellow Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) across the nation and in Queens. APAHM is a joyous month to reflect on the unique and many contributions that AAPIs have made to our country. Our participation in American society has grown exponentially since the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843.

“From the Chinese workers who built the Transcontinental Railroad to the millions of small business owners across America, AAPIs are part of the American social fabric. Today, it is encouraging to see AAPIs are participating in our political system, the military, academia, entertainment, and sports. They are actors and actresses, politicians, doctors, lawyers, bankers, athletes and soldiers. While we celebrate our shared success, we must also invest in overcoming inequality and ensure AAPIs have an equal chance at the American Dream. In Congress, I will continue to fight for policies that ensure AAPIs receive equal treatment and justice and to have our contributions to American society recognized nationally.”

• Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Virginia:

“I am proud to celebrate Asian American Pacific/Islander (AAPI) heritage month. During this time, we reflect on the many contributions that the AAPI community has made in the development and success of this country. The APPI community has been an integral part of the story of America.”

• Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif.:

“Each year, the month of May is a time to recognize the many contributions Americans of Asian and Pacific Island descent have made to the United States. Members of the AAPI community have been an essential part of our nation for centuries. We have created businesses, developed new technologies, produced great works of art, and served America in times of peace and times of war. As I join my colleagues in CAPAC to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I do so with pride in all that we have achieved and excitement for all the achievements yet to come.”

CAPAC Associate Members

• Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif.:

“This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I am proud to join my colleagues in honoring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their invaluable contributions to our country. Asian Pacific Americans have made many contributions throughout our nation’s history and I am proud that many call California and my district home.”

• Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif.:

“Each May we recognize the contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to the United States, a proud nation of immigrants. As the AAPI community continues to grow, it strengthens our military, our economy, our schools, and every other segment of our society. This important progress and success are reflected across California’s San Gabriel Valley, which I am proud to represent in Congress. My CAPAC colleagues and I remain committed to ensuring the AAPI community is heard and fairly represented. We invite you to join us this month in honoring the extraordinary accomplishments and diverse culture of all Asian Pacific Americans.”

• Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif.:

“Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the history and lasting contributions of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to San Diego and our country.Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest-growing racial group in the United States with more immigrants originating from the Asia-Pacific region than anywhere else in the world. San Diego’s AAPI community has emulated that growth to become a political, economic, and social force in our city. It’s one of San Diego’s greatest strengths, which is why I’m working to create greater economic opportunity and oppose backwards immigration policies, so our AAPI community can continue to grow and thrive. I hope you all will join me this May in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.”

• Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif.:

“As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, it is a privilege for me to salute my district's diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander population, and AAPI families from coast to coast, for all their contributions to our country. AAPIs enrich our neighborhoods, our businesses, and our culture each and every day, and have been pivotal to making America a strong, just, prosperous, and forward-thinking nation. In the years to come, our AAPI community will continue to play an essential role in making America a more perfect union.”

• Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington:

“Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the accomplishments and vast contributions Asian Pacific Americans have made to the United States. I am proud to represent a district in the Pacific Northwest with a significant Asian Pacific American community that enriches and strengthens our entire region. During this month, we also reflect on the deep-rooted history of Asian Pacific Americans in our country and their continued work to make our country stronger.”

U.S. Senators

• Sen.Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois:

"Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time to reflect on and take pride in the numerous contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout our nation’s history and of the continued contributions of our children and our children’s children. As we celebrate our community this May, we should also look ahead and continue to work for progress for our community and ensure the American Dream remains within reach for all.”

• Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii:


“As we observe Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we celebrate the progress AAPI communities have made across the country. However, these are unusual times. As communities of color are attacked by the Trump administration, we must all continue the work that we’re doing and increase our efforts to achieve equality and opportunity for all.”

House Congressional Leadership

• Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., House Democratic Leader:

“Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is an opportunity for all Americans to recognize the immense contributions that this beautiful and diverse population has made to our nation. For generations, Asian Pacific American communities have come to our shores to pursue the American Dream, bringing their rich cultures and wonderful traditions. Many of these courageous Americans overcame persecution, injustice and bigotry to strengthen our country and, in the process, exemplified what it means to be an American. 

“For generations, proud Asian Pacific American men and women have bravely defended our nation and become an enduring part of our unique American story. In San Francisco, we are immensely proud of the richness and diversity that our vibrant AAPI community has brought to our city. We like to say that the beauty is in the mix, and generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have built our city, invigorated our community and enriched all our lives. 

“This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, let us celebrate the AAPI community’s undaunted spirit and the role they have played in our history and the contributions they are making to our future. We can honor these proud Americans by reaffirming our legacy as a nation of immigrants and fulfilling our most basic promise that out of many, we are one.”

• Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, House Democratic Whip:

“Throughout May, we pay tribute to the history and heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. I join in celebrating the diverse cultures that form a critical part of our American fabric and the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to our nation. In business, government, sports, the arts, science, and military service, they continue to help make America stronger, safer, and more prosperous. 

“In Congress, I’ve been proud to work closely with my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), led by Chairwoman Judy Chu, to make opportunities more accessible to workers and their families, to expand access to quality health care and education, to stand up for the rights of immigrants, and to combat racism and xenophobia. Together, we will continue fighting to protect voting rights, to ensure justice is blind, and to create good jobs that offer pathways to long-term economic security. As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month together, let us resolve to continue standing up for our shared values and common vision of an America where all are able to get ahead.”

• Rep. Joe Crowley, D-New York, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus:

“During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we pay tribute to the rich histories, cultures and contributions the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have made to our country. From science to the arts, our AAPI brothers and sisters have enriched and shaped every aspect of American society. I am proud to join CAPAC and my fellow Americans in this celebration, and to reaffirm my commitment to elevate and promote opportunity for the AAPI community in Congress.”

• Rep.  Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus:


“I’m proud to recognize Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to celebrate the AAPI community in our country. Their involvement in the sciences, arts, industry, government, and commerce highlights the many contributions AAPIs make to enrich and strengthen our society’s cultural fabric. I am incredibly proud to represent cities that are known throughout Southern California and the world for their prominent Asian Pacific American communities. I join with my Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus colleagues to ensure that the concerns and needs of the Asian American Pacific Islander community are heard in Congress.”
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2016 Elections: Congress will have the most AAPI members in its history

By Louis Chan
REPRINTED FROM ASAM NEWS

THERE WILL be more Asian American & Pacific Islander members of Congress as a result of the Nov. 8 elections.

Fourteen AAPI voting members of Congress were elected, surpassing the previous record of 12.

Those elected include California Attorney General Kamala Harris who will become the first Indian/American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. She beat Rep. Loretta Sanchez almost two-to-one.

Harris is already looking forward to her job in the Senate.

“Whatever the results of the presidential election tonight, we know that we have a task in front of us,” Harris told her cheering supporters early in the night. “We know the stakes are high. When we have been attacked and when our ideals and fundamental ideals are being attacked, do we retreat or do we fight? I say we fight!”

Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Chicago), a purple heart veteran of the Iraq War, won election to the U.S. Senate to represent the state of Illinois by beating incumbent Senator Mark Kirk 54 percent to Kirk's 40 percent.

“Just as I try every day to live up to the sacrifice my buddies made to carry me off that battlefield, I will go to work in the Senate looking to honor the sacrifice and quiet dignity of all those Illinoisans who are facing challenges of their own,” she said Tuesday night.

Three Asian/American women will now serve in the U.S. Senate. The other will be Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono, who became the first Asian/American woman elected to the Senate in 2012.

New to Congress will be Pramila Jayapal who beat fellow Democrat Brady Walkinshaw for the 7th Congressional district in Washington state 57 percent to 43 percent. Jayapal becomes the first Indian/American woman elected to the House of Representatives. Just like Harris, Jayapal, who was endorsed by Bernie Sanders, looked toward working under a Trump presidency.

“If our worst fears are realized, we will be on the defense as of tomorrow,” she said. “We will have to fight for social justice as never before.”

Another newcomer to Congress will be Democrat Stephanie Murphy who beat 12-term incumbent John Mica in the 7th District of Florida 51 percent to 49 percent.

She is the first Vietnamese/American woman elected to Congress. “Tonight, the people of central Florida rejected partisan deadlock and dysfunction and embraced a new approach,” said Murphy. “In Congress, I will work with both Democrats and Republicans, and I will always put people over politics.”

In California, high-tech entrepreneur Ro Khanna defeated eight-time incumbent Mike Honda 60 percent to 40 percent in California’s Santa Clara County. Honda was saddled by an ethics investigation that dates back to his 2014 reelection. He is accused of using his staff during taxpayer time to work on his reelection.

Replacing Tammy Duckworth in the House of Representatives will be S.Raja Krishnamoorthi. He beat Pete DiCianni 58 percent to 42 percent for the 8th District seat in Illinois.

Colleen Hanabusa returns to Congress to represent District 1 in Hawaii. She once held the seat, but gave it up to run for the U.S. Senate. She replaces the late Mark Takei who died of cancer earlier this year.

Reelected to Congress were Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento), Rep. Judy Chu (D-Los Angeles County), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Santa Monica), Rep. Mark Takano (D-Rivrside County), Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Rep. Ami Bera(D-Sacramento County).