Transcript of Press Event on Capitol Steps Marking One Year Since Atlanta Spa Shootings

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Pelosi joined Chair Judy Chu and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Members of the House of Representatives and Asian Pacific American Hill staff on the House East Front Steps for a press event marking one year since eight people were killed in the tragic shootings at three spas in Atlanta, Georgia. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you, Judy Chu, for your tremendous leadership on this important subject – really on the subject of respect for everyone in our country. You have helped us understand, recognize, document crimes against [the] Asian community that have the – just been hard to understand and more recently, in some people's view, been normalized.

As we join together today, let us salute, again, Madam Chair Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus for organizing us – not just today, but on the ongoing. It's my privilege to stand alongside Representative Grace Meng, CAPAC's First Vice-Chair, whose COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act we enacted last year; Senator Mazie Hirono, who introduced and championed that bill in the Senate. Thank you, Madam Senator. Chairman Mark Takano, CAPAC's Second Vice-Chair; Representative Ted Lieu, CAPAC's Whip; Rep. Marilyn Strickland, one of the first Korean American women ever elected to the House; Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, a diligent leader of our House Democratic Caucus; and Representative Nikema Williams, who proudly represents Atlanta.

I mention these names especially – and my colleagues will concur, I'm sure – those in our community, in our Caucus, from the Asian Pacific American community to demonstrate the extent of their leadership in the Congress. And they are representative of so many other more – of more.

Today, Congress remembers the eight Americans who were murdered in an act of bigotry one year ago – six of whom were Asian American women. As we pray for too many AAPI lives claimed by hate, let us especially recognize them, as Chairwoman Chu has done.

We've been asked to pay tribute to a constituent. I will pay – [my] constituent: Vicha Ratanapakdee. Last year, the beloved father, grandfather and proud Thai immigrant known as ‘Grandpa Vicha' was murdered in a racist attack on his daily morning walk. This act of violence horrified the people of San Francisco, who take pride in our large and vibrant Asian – AAPI community. Let us honor Grandpa Vicha's memory today, and every day, by carrying on the fight to Stop Asian Hate.

AAPI Americans – excuse me, the sun is getting to me – AAPI Americans have long been subjected to the evil of bigoted violence, a crisis that has surged during the pandemic. As Chairwoman Chu said, more than 11,000 acts of AAPI – anti-AAPI hate have been reported since March 2020, just two years ago. And nearly three quarters of AAPI women have experienced discrimination or racism in the last twelve months.

This is why, with the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, Congress took historic action to help stamp out hate and hold offenders accountable, delivering new resources to expedite the review of hate crimes and empower the individuals to come forward. As we remember those stolen from us by hate, the Congress will continue fighting to combat racist violence in all of its forms.

It's now my privilege to yield to CAPAC's First Vice-Chair and the author of the COVID – in the House – the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, Representative Grace Meng. Pleased to yield to Grace Meng.