The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is honoring Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) members of Congress with a series of videos throughout the month of May, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
“We at the Democratic National Committee wanted to showcase the diverse stories of our AAPI Members of Congress and what drives them in their public service or what motivated them to run for office,” Shu-Yen Wei, a DNC press secretary told NBC News.
The series will highlight the stories of prominent members of Congress, including Doris Matsui, Judy Chu, Mark Takano, Mazie Hirono, Tammy Duckworth, Mike Honda, Mark Takai, and Ami Bera. The first video, which was released on May 2, featured New York Rep. Grace Meng. It was followed by another, released earlier this week, that features California Rep. Ted Lieu.
“When the AAPI community — the fastest growing part of the American family — thrives, our entire nation thrives,” Lieu told NBC News.
He added the current presidential election was indicative of the difference between political parties. Thirteen of the 14 AAPI members of Congress are Democrats.
“When I consider the entrenched intolerance and cynical, divisive politics driving the presumptive Republican nominee's campaign for President, I could not be prouder to be a Democrat,” Lieu said. “On every issue that matters to the AAPI community — civil rights and dignity for all, health care for all, educational opportunity for all and an economy that works for all, Democrats lead the way.”
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