[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN SUPPORT OF S. 937 AND H. RES. 275

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2021

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 937, which 
brings perpetrators of recent hate crimes against the Asian American 
and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to justice, and H. Res. 275, 
which mourns the targeting and killing of AAPI women in recent 
shootings in Atlanta.
  American history documents many dark periods of racism against the 
AAPI community. In 1854, the California Supreme Court ruled that Asian 
people were unfit to testify against White people in court. In 1871, 
seventeen Chinese men and boys were publicly lynched in Los Angeles. 
The convictions of the perpetrators were overturned and no one was 
punished. Starting in 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited 
immigration from China. In the 1940s, the U.S. military imprisoned tens 
of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II over unfounded 
fears of immigrants aiding the enemy, even though no spies were ever 
found. This is but a short list of horrific acts of anti-AAPI racism in 
our country's history.
  Over the last year, there has been an exponential increase of anti-
Asian rhetoric and hate crimes directed against the AAPI community. We 
had a president who placed blame on Asian Americans for the 
coronavirus, fanning the flames of intolerance and hatred. This 
intolerance is unAmerican and we cannot accept it.
  Between March 19, 2020, and February 28, 2021, there were nearly 
3,800 reported cases of anti-Asian discrimination related to COVID-19, 
with 68 percent of reported incidents of anti-Asian hate targeted 
toward Asian-American women. These include violent attacks on innocent 
Asian Americans, including the most vulnerable among us, like pregnant 
women, children, and the elderly.
  We must fight this bigotry and prosecute perpetrators of hate crimes. 
The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act does this by directing the DOJ to expedite 
review of hate crimes; strengthening hate crimes reporting by local, 
state, and Tribal agencies; and raising awareness about COVID-19-
related hate crimes.
  I'm proud to cosponsor H.R. 1843, the House companion to S. 937, and 
I thank Senator Mazie Hirono, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and 
Representative Grace Meng for their important leadership in authoring 
this critical legislation.
  One of the worst instances of anti-AAPI hate occurred on March 16, 
2021, when a shooter killed eight people at three Asian-owned spas in 
the greater Atlanta area. Six of the victims were Asian-American women. 
In H. Res. 275, the House mourns the victims of this horrific shooting, 
and I'm a cosponsor of it.
  I wish to acknowledge the names of the victims because we must never 
forget them: Xiaojie ``Emily'' Tan, Daoyou Feng, Delaina Ashley Yaun, 
Paul Andre Michels, Yong Ae Yue, Soon Chung ``Julie'' Park, Hyun Jung 
Grant, and Sun Cha Kim.
  I thank my colleagues who led this resolution, Reps. Judy Chu, 
Carolyn Bourdeaux, Nikema Williams, and Lucy McBath, together with 
Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock, who led the Senate resolution.
  I am exceedingly proud to represent a vibrant community of hundreds 
of thousands of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in California's 
18th Congressional District which celebrates diversity as a strength 
and uses it as a source of our collective power.
  Over the last several weeks, I've attended rallies throughout my 
District where hundreds have gathered to stand against AAPI hate and 
celebrate the APPI community. I've stood arm-in-arm with my AAPI 
brothers and sisters, colleagues, constituents, neighbors, and friends 
to fight xenophobia, and I will continue doing so.
  I urge my colleagues to swiftly and unanimously pass S. 937 and H. 
Res. 275 to speak out, stand up, and fight Asian hate in all its ugly 
forms.

                          ____________________