Pelosi Discusses Legislative Agenda with Asian Pacific American Leaders

October 10, 2003

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and other Democrats hosted a roundtable discussion with leaders of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community this week. The group discussed the upcoming legislative agenda and how issues surrounding education, health care, and the economy impact the APA community.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi with Asian Pacific American leaders

"Our diversity is our strength," Pelosi said. "The leaders at this meeting come from a variety of backgrounds, and I am pleased that we have united together behind a common legislative agenda."

The discussion came after the defeat of California’s Proposition 54, an initiative that would have prevented the collection and use of racial data by state or local governments. Pelosi and the APA leaders strongly opposed Proposition 54 and stressed the importance of accurate data collection in combating racial discrimination in health care, education, law enforcement, and other areas.

"It is vital that we recognize and address the specific needs of the APA community," Pelosi said. "We will work together to improve data collection to help eliminate health disparities, designate funds for APA serving institutions, and eliminate the 'model minority' myth that pervades the higher education system."

Democrats are working to improve the quality of life for APA communities nationwide. In recent months, Democrats have pushed for full funding of the No Child Left Behind Act and have fought to protect key health care programs, such as Medicare. Democrats continuously speak out against racial profiling practices and have been vigilant about protecting civil liberties in the wake of September 11th.

"Our Constitution has been a beacon of liberty throughout the world, encouraging people to fight for freedom and drawing newcomers to our shores," continued Pelosi. "Our Founders knew that as we protect and defend the American people, we must also protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. We cannot, and we must not, allow our civil liberties to become a casualty in the war on terrorism."

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi was elected by an overwhelming majority of her peers last year to serve as the Democratic Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the first woman to lead a major political party. One of her first acts as Leader was to appoint Congressman Bob Matsui (D-CA) to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He is the first Asian American to hold a leadership position in Congress.

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