Rep. Takano’s Statement Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), Second Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus released the following statement celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage month:
“Today, we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
“AANHPI peoples are not a monolith. We come from diverse and culturally rich backgrounds, but are united by a shared sense of community.
“I feel great pride to be Japanese American and to be the son of a family of immigrants who have contributed to our nation. In particular, today I am thinking of my Great Uncle Mon. He gave his life in defense of this country during World War II – while his family was forced to endure the brutality of the internment camps.
“His is one of so many stories of struggle and sacrifice that AANHPI peoples know all too well. So, this AANHPI Heritage month, I urge you to remember these stories and celebrate how far we have come in representation here in Congress.
“As second-vice chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I know that our power rests in our solidarity with one another, our respect of diversity, and our ability to persist and remain resilient even in the face of adversity.
“In recent years, however, we have seen attacks on DEI and affirmative action policies, starting with last year’s Supreme Court decision restricting the consideration of race in higher education admissions, which CAPAC swiftly opposed.
“AANHPIs have historically benefited from affirmative action, and I personally believe I benefited from affirmative action.
“So let me be clear—CAPAC will not allow the Asian American community to be used as a wedge, pitted against other communities of color on this issue, and will continue to stand strong with our Tri-Caucus partners in support of affirmative action. My CAPAC colleagues and I stand firm on the importance of representation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and specifically will not allow the model minority myth of “Asian success” to pit AANHPIs against other communities of color.
“I am grateful to all who are celebrating and honoring this important occasion.”