Press Releases
Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami
202-226-7616
05/16/2007
Democrats Hold Successful Asian American and Pacific Islander Town Hall
Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid, Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chair
Debbie Stabenow, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Mike
Honda, and other Democratic Members delivered remarks at the second annual
meeting of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders this
morning. The “2007 Democratic
Leadership's Asian American and Pacific Islander Town Hall: A New Direction”
drew more than 150 leaders from across the country.
“This year’s town hall was a great opportunity for dialogue
with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi
said. “Today, Democrats heard directly
from the community – their ideas and concerns – and we look forward to
continuing our relationship with AAPIs into the future.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “Democrats are
working to advance the priorities that matter to Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders. The concerns of this diverse
community are the concerns of all Americans – fair immigration policy,
affordable health care for our children and veterans, strong civil rights,
better educational opportunities, and much more. Democrats are delivering on
our promise to take American in a new direction, and this year’s town hall is
an important part of that effort.”
“Our Democratic Leadership’s 2007 Asian American and Pacific
Islander Town Hall this morning was a great success,” said Senator Debbie
Stabenow. “Senate Democrats have fought side by side with Asian American and
Pacific Islander leaders to improve the quality of education, expand
opportunities for affordable housing, and ensure we create quality jobs for all
Americans. I look forward to continued
action on these many shared priorities, and demonstrating the real difference
that a Democratic majority has made for all our families.”
Congressman Mike Honda said, “I am thrilled by the success
of Democratic Leadership’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Town
Hall. I would like to thank Speaker
Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and the rest of Democratic Leadership for
their continued commitment to the AAPI community. Their participation, along with that of CAPAC
Members, other Democratic Members of both houses of Congress, and community
advocates, was integral to the success of today’s town hall. On behalf of CAPAC, I look forward to working
with Democratic Leadership to push forward the legislative issues that are
important to AAPIs, including justice for our Filipino veterans, ensuring the
preservation of a robust family-based immigration system, and eliminating
racial and ethnic health disparities.”
The town hall focused on issues of concern to the Asian American
and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community including immigration, health care,
housing and economic development, education, veterans' affairs, Native Hawaiian
issues, and civil rights. Members that
presented policy issues included: Senators Akaka,