Remember back in January when a certain bigoted (and inexplicably popular) radio host ridiculed the accent of Chinese President Hu Jintao and made other comments disparaging of Chinese culture?
One Member of Congress immediately took him to task (and didn't apologize about it later):
I was shocked and appalled by Rush Limbaugh’s comments on his radio show yesterday. Calling the Chinese names and imitating the Chinese language was a childish and offensive tactic. It is one thing to disagree with a nation and criticize its policies, but it is another thing to demonize an entire people.
Who is this bold, clear-speaking Representative?
Her name is Judy Chu. She was just elected to her first full term in Congress last November, winning the seat in California previously held by current Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. In a short time, Congresswoman Chu has made a mark as a courageous, smart leader.
In addition to taking on Limbaugh, Chu has unequivocally criticized the actions of two of her most notoriously xenophobic colleagues, Reps. Peter King and Steve King (unrelated, but spiritually bonded).
Re Peter King's attempt to ban multi-lingual federal services:
Congressman King is continuing his blatant attack on equal rights by attempting to dismantle an 11-year-old executive order that allows millions of Americans with limited English proficiency to access government services like veteran benefits, social security and Medicare. We can’t let Congressman King and his ideological agenda undermine our nation’s civil rights protections.
Re Steve King's attempt to amend the Constitution to deny citizenship to the children of undocumented immigrants (also proposed by David Vitter and Rand Paul in the Senate):
I strongly condemn and vehemently oppose the proposal . . . that would infringe upon the right of natural-born citizenship enshrined in our Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment. Anyone who would support such a proposal has obviously forgotten – or at least discounted – the fact that hundreds of thousands of Americans gave their lives during the Civil War to fight the injustices that the Fourteenth Amendment finally corrected. It is deeply disturbing to me that today, in the 21st Century, there are those who would take us back to a time when our nation didn’t fully live up to the ideals of equality and fairness upon which it was founded upon. But I am confident that the American people, our Congress, and our President will recognize the intolerance and divisiveness that such a proposal truly represents and ultimately defeat any such measure and uphold the spirit and the letter of the U.S. Constitution.
Re
Peter King's hearing on Muslim Americans:
Singling out a group of Americans for increased scrutiny based on their religious beliefs disregards the fundamental civil rights of these communities, does nothing to improve our national security, and alienates our partners abroad. . . . I am troubled by the fact that Rep. King is continuing to use official Congressional resources to conduct targeted hearings on radicalization focused solely on Muslim-Americans. His actions are contributing to a climate of fear and prejudice against those who are, or are perceived to be, Muslim, and this Islamophobic sentiment has already yielded unfortunate consequences. These hearings send the wrong message to the Muslim-American community and to the American people.
Chu was recently named Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. I think her leadership will make the already great CAPAC even better. Please follow me below to get to know the CAPAC team.
Oh, and by the way . . . happy birthday, Congresswoman Chu!
Leadership
Chair
Rep. Judy Chu
(CA-32)
Quote: "The anti-woman Pence Amendment attacks Planned Parenthood, a successful organization that provides critical women’s health care and thus jeopardizes women’s access to affordable primary and reproductive care"
Notable: Former psychology professor at East Los Angeles College and former Mayor of Monterey Park.
Vice-Chair
Rep. Madeleine Bordallo
(GU)
Quote: "It is time to begin a transition for the Afghan people to take control of their country’s security.”
Notable: Introduced the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, which will have a Congressional hearing next week.
Whip
Rep. Colleen Hanabusa
(HI-01)
Quote: "Hawaii is more than a place. It represents a spirit of caring and the embodiment of cherished values like mutual respect, support of those in need, and a commitment to the comfort and dignity of our kupuna in their retirement."
Notable: In first six months as a freshman in Congress, co-sponsored 62 pieces of legislation, including Barbara Lee's Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act.
Chair Emeritus
Rep. Michael Honda
(CA-15)
Quote: "During his time in office, I have been proud to work with President Obama on several initiatives to ensure equality under the law for LGBT families everywhere – enacting the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, finally shepherding the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, lifting the HIV Entry Ban and guaranteeing LGBT families the right to visit and make medical decisions for their partners."
Notable: Chairs CAPAC's Immigration Task Force.
Membership
Sen. Daniel Akaka
(HI)
Quote: "The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act would resolve a seven-decade old issue by creating an exemption from the numerical limitation on immigrant visas granted to the children of WWII Filipino veterans. In reuniting these veterans with their families, we will properly honor their World War II service to this nation."
Notable: Has served in Senate since 1990; will return at end of current term (2013)
Sen. Dan Inouye
(HI)
Quote: "The focus of our deficit talks should not be on domestic discretionary spending, but on the real reason why we are not running a surplus: historically low revenues, soaring mandatory spending, and the cost of war."
Notable: Elected in 1962, is longest-serving current Senator.
Sen. Inouye flanked by his wife, Irene Hirano (left), and Rep. Hirono.
Rep. Xavier Becerra
(CA-31)
Quote: "The best way to reduce the deficit is to put Americans back to work."
Notable: Regularly produces podcasts.
Rep. Hansen Clarke
(MI-13)
Quote: "A careful, phased withdrawal (from Afghanistan) starting today could save our nation tens of billions of dollars annually. By directing this saved money toward economic renewal, homeland security and deficit cutting, we can bolster both our physical and financial security."
Notable: Elected to first term last year; former aide to Congressman John Conyers.
Rep. Eni Faleomavaega
(AS)
Quote: "I strongly believe that there is a dire need for us to honor all women’s contributions, not only those with Western training and expertise but all Samoan women who hold families, villages and our communities together. This recognition should not only be in seminars such as this one but specifically in our everyday exchanges."
Notable: Has represented residents of Territory of American Samoa since 1989.
Reps. Bordallo & Sablan.
Rep. Al Green
(TX-09)
Quote: "Many American soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will need housing when they get home. Additionally, many of our veterans and military personnel are already in need of housing. These statistics clearly show why we must continue to fund the HUD-VASH program."
Notable: Serves as Assistant Whip in Democratic Caucus.
Rep. Mazie Hirono
(HI-02)
Quote: "What happened to separation of church and state and religious tolerance? I believe in those things."
Notable: Running for U.S. Senate.
Rep. Doris Matsui
(CA-05)
Quote: "We have many challenges before us, the most pressing of which is to restore our economy and empower small businesses to thrive. We need to keep families in their homes, create new jobs, and invest in our schools and our infrastructure."
Notable: Former senior adviser to President Clinton.
Rep. Gregorio Killi Camacho Sablan
(CNMI)
Quote: "Many of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands are different than other Americans. We weren’t born U.S. citizens. We didn’t immigrate here. We chose to become citizens through a collective vote. So we have a special appreciation for our citizenship and for the power of voting."
Notable: Took the oath of office for the 112th Congress on January 5, 2011, beginning his second term of office, and the second Congress in which the people of the Northern Mariana Islands have representation.
Rep. Bobby Scott
(VA-03)
Quote: "We all know that the U.S. is facing difficult economic times and as a country we have tough decisions to make. The deficit must be addressed. However, it should be done in a way that protects the health and vitality of our citizens. We should not balance the budget on the backs of our nation's seniors and must vulnerable."
Notable: Considering a U.S. Senate run.
From left to right: Rep. Sablan, Rep. Scott, Attorney General Eric Holder, Rep. Hirono, Rep. Honda.
Rep. David Wu
(OR-01)
Quote: "Ten years after I first opposed the Patriot Act, the law remains an affront to our core American values of civil liberty and constitutional protection."
Notable: Introduced the Promoting Green Transportation Infrastructure through Research and Development Act last month.