Bill Text: CA AR41 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Resolution 41

Introduced

Bill Title: Relative to Combating Asian Invisibility Day.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 57-16)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-31 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 2084.). [AR41 Detail]

Download: California-2023-AR41-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

House Resolution

No. 41

Introduced by Assembly Member Mike Fong

May 17, 2023

Relative to Combating Asian Invisibility Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

HR 41, as introduced, Mike Fong.

WHEREAS, May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a month to celebrate and remember the contribution of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in this country and this state; and

WHEREAS, Despite people from various Asian countries having arrived in this country since the 1850s, the history of this community is one that is full of forgotten stories; and

WHEREAS, From fighting for birthright citizenship in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) 169 U.S. 649 and equal education opportunity for ESL students in Lau v. Nichols (1974) 414 U.S. 563 to establishing that all persons in the country should enjoy equal protections guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitition in Yick Wo v. Hopkins (1886) 118 U.S. 356, the Asian community was foundational in shaping the nation; and

WHEREAS, As we commemorate the accomplishments and contributions of these early immigrants, this is also a time we must continue to reflect on the needs of the AAPI community; and

WHEREAS, The “model minority” and perpetual foreigner stereotypes continue to deem the AAPI community an invisible group; and

WHEREAS, Lack of language access in most governmental services and inaccurate data masks the true needs of their economic struggles, health disparities, and educational attainment; and

WHEREAS, AAPI invisibility perpetuates false “otherness” narratives in our society, leaving communities vulnerable to discrimination, hate crimes, and accostment, as seen in the last three years in which over 11,000 acts of hate against AAPI communities were reported to Stop AAPI Hate; and

WHEREAS, In order to combat Asian invisibility, we must insist on language accessibility, accurate and disaggregated data, and inclusion for our communities that can uplift all to achieve economic and educational equity, healthier Californians, and a stronger sense of representation and safety; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature confirms its commitment to supporting and standing in solidarity with the AAPI community to address the disproportionate effects invisibility has caused by advocating for better language access and accurate data that represents our community; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly recognizes May 17, 2023, as Combating Asian Invisibility Day, in honor of AAPI Heritage Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.