WASHINGTON — The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus has welcomed 10 new associate members to its ranks for a total of 40, the largest that CAPAC has been in its 18-year history as a dues-paying caucus.
The new members are Reps. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), Howard Berman (D-Van Nuys), Susan Davis (D-San Diego), Janice Hahn (D-Los Angeles), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), Grace Napolitano (D-Santa Fe Springs), Linda Sanchez (D-Cerritos), Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
CAPAC is composed of members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-El Monte) commented, “As chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, it is my pleasure to welcome our latest CAPAC members to the caucus. Their commitment to serving as a voice for Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders, as well as the many diverse communities who call our great nation home, will strengthen CAPAC’s ability to fight for fair and equal treatment for all Americans. I am grateful for their dedication to our cause, and look forward to their contributions to our ever-growing community.”
“It is an honor to join this group of forward-thinking members and I look forward to collaborating on progressive ways to advance the issues facing the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora,” said Bass.
“I’m proud to represent a region that is home to the largest Asian American and Pacific Islander population in the country,” said Berman. “Having the opportunity to participate in the non-partisan, bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus will help me better serve the community of Los Angeles.”
“I’m pleased to join as a new member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus,” said Davis. “I’m proud to represent a vibrant Asian American and Pacific Islander community in San Diego and look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure their needs and concerns are heard here in Congress.”
“From the L.A. City Council to Congress, I’ve worked closely with my friends in the Asian Pacific community and I’m honored to now join my colleagues in CAPAC to continue to advocate on their behalf,” said Hahn.
“I am glad to become a part of this terrific caucus,” said Napolitano. “I have worked for years with the Tri-Caucus, which includes the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and together we have been very effective. As an associate member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I look forward to continuing our work on behalf of minorities.”
“I am proud to join a body committed to advancing and promoting the needs of the Asian Pacific American community,” said Sanchez. “It has been an honor to serve the Asian Pacific American community in my district and I look forward to working with my colleagues in continuing to bring attention to issues important to the Asian Pacific community.”
“I look forward to joining the CAPAC team and working alongside my colleagues to further advance and address the needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” said Schiff, who introduced the Congressional Gold Medal legislation to honor Japanese American veterans of World War II.