Teaching Asian Pacific American History Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, throughout this pandemic, Asian Americans have been facing a second virus--that of hate and discrimination. In fact, since the beginning of the pandemic, hate incidents against Asian Americans have skyrocketed 150 percent. Our community is being scapegoated for the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result, have been victim to the most hateful, cowardly, and despicable attacks. Our children and elderly especially are being ruthlessly under attack. There are nearly 4,000 reported incidents of Asian Americans being spat on, stabbed, verbally abused, beaten, slashed, and most recently murdered in a tragic and senseless mass shooting. Our parents are scared to leave their homes and walk down the street. Parents are scared to let their children go outside and play or to even go to school.

Asian Americans, however, know this violence and racism directed at our community is not new. From the ``yellow peril'' scare of the 1800s, which paved the way for the Page Act of 1875 and the Chinese Exclusion Act, to the unjust incarceration of the Japanese Americans during World War II, our history includes shameful accounts of institutionalized discrimination and racism towards Asian Americans.

Madam Speaker, since the 1700s, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) have made immeasurable contributions to our nation throughout its history. AAPIs have shaped the fabric of our country with contributions to our infrastructure, economy, and our military. Unfortunately, for generations, Asian Pacific American history has been poorly represented in our K-12 education system and social studies textbooks. This misrepresentation renders AAPIs invisible and leads to the perception that we are ``forever foreigners.''

In fact, growing up, I was never taught of the expansive contributions of Asian Americans throughout our history. I barely learned about Chinese immigrants who built the transcontinental railroad connecting the East and West Coasts. My history textbooks never taught that slaves built the U.S. Capitol, the very heart of our democracy.

Madam Speaker, the gaps in our collective history prevent our nation from moving forward in in solidarity and allyship. We cannot create a shared future where all can achieve the American Dream unless we learn from our shared history. In this time of great misinformation and discrimination against Asian Americans, we need greater cultural awareness and understanding of our community's history within the foundations of our U.S. history.

That is why I rise today to announce the reintroduction of my Teaching Asian Pacific American Act to promote the teaching and learning of Asian Pacific American history in K-12 schools. Specifically, my bill would require Presidential and Congressional Academies' grant applicants and recipients to include Asian Pacific American history as part of their history and civics programs offered to students and teachers. Furthermore, it would encourage the inclusion of Asian Pacific American history within national and state tests administered through the National Assessment of Educational Progress and promote collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution's Asian Pacific American Center to develop innovating programming.

Madam Speaker, in order to create a shared future for all Americans, we have to learn from the mistakes of our past. I thank my colleagues who have joined me in this critical legislation, and I urge its swift passage so that our nation can move forward in healing.

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