Menendez, Booker Join Hirono In Introducing Resolution Marking May As Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) joined Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) in introducing a resolution designating May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The resolution highlights the contributions to our country by generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

"The importance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month took on added urgency this year, as Congress and the Biden Administration acted decisively to address an alarming rise in anti-Asian sentiments and discrimination that resulted from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," Sen. Menendez said. "While this month may be coming to an end, we must all continue to reaffirm our steadfast commitment to standing with our AAPI brothers and sisters who have suffered unspeakable violence and do everything we can to elevate and celebrate the rich contributions of the AAPI community to all facets of American society."

"As this Asian Pacific American Heritage Month comes to an end, not only must we celebrate a rich history, we must also recognize and address the persistent bias and discrimination that Asian Americans have faced and continue to face in this country," Sen. Booker said. "Members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community strengthen the fabric of our nation, and I am proud to reintroduce this critical legislation with my Democratic colleagues that will commemorate their contributions and fight for greater visibility and opportunity across the country and in New Jersey."

In addition to Sens. Menendez and Booker, this resolution led by Sen. Hirono was also cosponsored by Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

"This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is particularly meaningful. As we celebrate the rich diversity and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in our country, these very communities have been under attack throughout the pandemic. We must take this opportunity to stand together with these communities and continue our work to advance civil rights and equal treatment for all Americans," Sen. Hirono said.

"As prejudice toward and violence against the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community have tragically been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic began, it's as important as ever that we spend this Asian Pacific American Heritage Month reflecting on the countless ways the AANHPI community has shaped our nation's history and take pride in the continued contributions of our children and our children's children," Sen. Duckworth said. "As Asian Pacific American Heritage Month comes to a close, we must continue to work for progress for our community and ensure the American Dream remains within reach for all."

Last week, Sen. Hirono's legislation to address the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which both Sens. Menendez and Booker supported, was signed into law. As a state legislator, Sen. Menendez authored New Jersey's first hate crimes law in the wake of targeted attacks on Asian Americans, particularly the state's Indian and Hindu communities, in the late 1980s.

Both senators have long championed efforts to support AAPI communities in New Jersey and across the country. Last year, the senators and their Democratic colleagues sounded the alarm about the increased harassment and violence against AAPIs and they have also fought diligently to address COVID-19-related racial disparities.