[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 26, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3496-S3497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I rise today in recognition of Asian
Pacific American Heritage Month. This annual commemoration offers the
opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the rich history of Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Mineta of
California and later Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga, both
of Hawaii, first introduced a resolution in 1977 to establish an annual
commemoration of the contributions of this community. That first
resolution proclaimed the first 10 days of May as Asian Pacific
American Heritage Week. Congress passed a modified version of that
resolution in 1978, which President Jimmy Carter signed into law. In
1990, Congress expanded Asian Pacific American Heritage Week to the
entire month. Just 2 years later, Congress passed a final resolution
permanently designating the month of May as Asian Pacific American
Heritage Month. This timing is deliberate: It commemorates important
milestones--the arrival of the first Japanese to the United States on
May 7, 1843, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May
10, 1869.
The Asian-American population is the fastest growing population in
the United States, having risen from 10.5 million in 2000 to more than
23 million in 2020. More than 1.6 million individuals identify as
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. With these combined figures,
the Asian-American and Pacific Islander, AAPI, community makes up
almost 7 percent of the U.S. population and roughly the same percentage
of Maryland's population.
Nationwide, demographers estimate that this population, which
consists of over 40 subgroups, will more than double from 20 million to
more than 51 million by 2060.
Over the past year, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played
a vital role in our Nation's battle with COVID-19. Serving as frontline
workers, first responders, and emergency personnel, they have provided
lifesaving and critical care to hundreds of thousands of people during
unprecedented times.
The approximately 555,200 Asian-owned businesses in the United States
represent approximately 1 in 10 businesses in the United States. As the
chairman of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, I know
the importance of each of these enterprises to our national economy and
to the local communities they serve. I also know the serious challenges
that all small business owners but particularly minority-owned
businesses have faced since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some
research indicates
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that these businesses may have suffered the most significant economic
effects of all demographic groups. Through the past year, I have sought
to ensure that the Small Business Administration's grants and loans
flow to smaller and minority-owned businesses.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have also served our Nation in
important public service roles. Norm Mineta, after spending 20 years in
the House of Representatives, served two Presidents--Bill Clinton and
George W. Bush--first as Secretary of Commerce and then as the longest
serving Secretary of Transportation. I was proud to serve with him in
the House and with Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii from 2006 to 2012
during his tenure as President pro tempore of the Senate, a role that
made him the highest ranking Asian-American government official in the
history of the United States. Of course, Kamala D. Harris eclipsed that
distinction this year when she became Vice President--the first Asian
American ever to hold that role. I am also proud every day to serve
alongside Senators Mazie Hirono and Tammy Duckworth, two strong leaders
who are committed to promoting the well-being and progress of Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders along with all Americans.
The Asian-Americans and Pacific Islander population has long endured
racism and prejudice. This discrimination reached a peak when President
Roosevelt ordered the incarceration of over 100,000 Japanese Americans
in internment camps as war began with the Empire of Japan in World War
II. Over the last year and a half, we have seen an alarming and
dangerous rise in prejudicial treatment and racially motivated hate
crimes and attacks. According to a recent report, there were nearly
3,800 reported cases of anti-Asian discrimination related to COVID-19
between March 2020 and February 2021. Dangerous rhetoric such as
calling COVID-19 the Chinese virus jeopardizes the safety and well-
being of millions of Asian Americans.
It is time we stand up and protect our fellow neighbors, friends,
coworkers, and loved ones. We need an all hands-on-deck approach to
combat anti-Asian bias, prejudice, discrimination, hate crimes, and
violence. Congress overwhelmingly passed S. 937, the COVID-19 Hate
Crimes Act, which Senators Hirono and Duckworth introduced. This
legislation serves as a pledge to our Asian-American community that we,
as the United States of America, stand in solidarity with you and will
not tolerate violations of your civil rights. I was proud to cosponsor
Senators Hirono and Duckworth's resolution condemning discrimination
against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders stemming from the COVID-
19 pandemic. Working together with our local, State, national, and
international partners--along with our allies in the private sector and
faith community--we can stem this dangerous trend and provide a sense
of peace and security to our Asian-American brothers and sisters. In
doing so, I am committed to listening to and being guided by the voices
of those individuals and communities who have suffered harm.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month offers all Americans the
opportunity to recognize and to appreciate the important role of this
community in our Nation, both throughout history and today. It is more
important than ever that we all take advantage of it.
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