The story of Asian Americans in the U.S. Congress and their struggle to represent their constituents while maintaining their cultural and ethnic heritage has rarely been chronicled in U.S. history, contributing to a collective ignorance of some ignominious periods in our nation’s continuing story. Further, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic a sharp rise in xenophobic rhetoric, anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes has highlighted how little the American public knows about or appreciates the contributions of Asian Americans to this country. Teachers, parents and school boards have been calling for more authoritative resource materials that can help the nation’s children understand that Asian Americans have made – and can make – great contributions to the U.S. Congress and to the nation in many fields, despite a history of exclusion, exploitation and violence.

This proposed discussion will be led by the United States Capitol Historical Society (USCHS) Executive Vice President Samuel Holliday and their long-time partner of the Asian Pacific American Members of Congress Oral History Project, E. Samantha Cheng, President and Executive Producer, Heritage Series, LLC. Invited to sit on the panel is University of Maryland Asian American Studies Professor Phil Tajitsu Nash, and US Senator from Illinois Tammy Duckworth or U.S. Representative from Illinois Raja Krishnamoorthi or their representative.

The discussion will highlight the rich and diverse cultures of the United States while revealing the inspiring and important stories of Asian American Members of Congress as part of the rich diversity of peoples in the U.S. Since the arrival of Chinese laborers into the United States in the early 19^th century, Asian Americans have experienced institutional discrimination and racism. This panel will allow the conference attendees to explore often overlooked issues while learning about the public record of Members distinguished legislative service. Their legislative service will supplement and complement already-existing APA study materials for students from K-12 to college and become a permanent primary source to be incorporated into school curricula and community programs.

Discussion topics will allow for insight into what led Members to become public servants. The panel may also provide first hand anecdotes and reflections about events that have taken place in the U.S. Capitol allowing for a deeper appreciation for the human dimension of representative government, public service, and responsible citizenship.

Time permitting, vignettes from existing Asian Pacific American Members of Congress Oral History Project interviews may be shown or weblinks will be provided to all participants of the AHA conference.