[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7451]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HIGHLIGHTING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AND THE HARMFUL 
                   IMPACT OF POVERTY ON THE COMMUNITY

  (Ms. LEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Asian Pacific 
Islander Heritage Month, but also to highlight the harmful impact of 
poverty on the AAPI community all across our Nation.
  In my home district--the beautiful East Bay--and across the Nation, 
the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans are front and center. By 
serving in elected office, advocating for equality and justice, and 
creating new businesses, they are an integral part of our vibrant 
community.
  But far too many Asian Pacific Americans are just making ends meet. 
It is a struggle, and the American Dream seems far out of reach. The 
sad reality is that in 2016, poverty rates for Asian Americans is over 
12 percent. And this problem is getting worse. Since the Great 
Recession, the AAPI community has had one of the fastest growing 
poverty rates in the Nation.
  There are also enormous disparities in healthcare access, treatment, 
and outcomes for the AAPI community. Too many Asian Pacific Americans 
still lack the fundamental human right that is health care.
  As chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income 
Inequality, and Opportunity, I will continue to fight to help all 
hardworking Americans--all hardworking Americans--including the Asian 
Pacific American community, achieve the American Dream.

                          ____________________