The publication is reproduced in full below:
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.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 87
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