SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2023 SESSION

23104517D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 575
Offered January 20, 2023
Recognizing the importance of teaching the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
----------
Patrons-- Tran, Shin and Subramanyam
----------
Referred to Committee on Rules
----------

WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are an integral part of the fabric of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and their diverse communities are an embodiment of the ideals upon which the nation was founded; and

WHEREAS, AAPIs have played a major role in the growth and development of the United States, from the Filipino Americans who fought alongside the United States in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812, to the Chinese Americans who built the transnational railroad in the late 1800s, to the Japanese Americans who heroically served the country in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team; and

WHEREAS, AAPIs are the fastest growing racial minority group in Virginia and the United States, and their contributions are essential to the past, present, and future success of the Commonwealth and the nation; between 2010 and 2020, the AAPI population in Virginia grew by 45 percent, and is now about 800,000 people; and

WHEREAS, despite these contributions, AAPIs continue to deal with stereotypes, such as the myth of the "model minority," perpetuating the notion that AAPIs are economically successful because they are hardworking and domicile, and that they no longer face economic, social, or political barriers, as well as the misperception of the "perpetual foreigner," forever positioning AAPIs as outsiders who are not truly American; and

WHEREAS, AAPI people have historically faced unequal treatment under the laws of the United States, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Executive Order 9066 that authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and discrimination against South Asian Americans in the aftermath of 9/11, injustices that have reverberated through generations; and

WHEREAS, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which at times has been unfairly and disparagingly referred to as the "Wuhan flu," hate incidents against AAPIs have increased dramatically including in Virginia, which ranks 11th among states for reported hate incidents; and

WHEREAS, the experiences and contributions of AAPIs have often been woefully overlooked in the study of U.S. history, negatively impacting many Americans’ perceptions of AAPIs and encouraging prejudice; and

WHEREAS, people of all ages in the Commonwealth would be better served to have a more complete understanding of the ways in which AAPIs and their communities have both shaped this nation and been shaped by it, engendering greater empathy for and awareness of a group of people that have been central to the history and prosperity of the United States; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly recognize the importance of teaching the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Virginia Asian Advisory Board in order that the members of the board may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter during their deliberations.