Democrats Hold Successful Asian American and Pacific Islander Town Hall

Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Mike Honda, and other Democratic Members delivered remarks at the second annual meeting of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders this morning.  The '2007 Democratic Leadership's Asian American and Pacific Islander Town Hall: A New Direction' drew more than 150 leaders from across the country.

'This year's town hall was a great opportunity for dialogue with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.  'Today, Democrats heard directly from the community - their ideas and concerns - and we look forward to continuing our relationship with AAPIs into the future.'

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, 'Democrats are working to advance the priorities that matter to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.  The concerns of this diverse community are the concerns of all Americans - fair immigration policy, affordable health care for our children and veterans, strong civil rights, better educational opportunities, and much more. Democrats are delivering on our promise to take American in a new direction, and this year's town hall is an important part of that effort.'

'Our Democratic Leadership's 2007 Asian American and Pacific Islander Town Hall this morning was a great success,' said Senator Debbie Stabenow. 'Senate Democrats have fought side by side with Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders to improve the quality of education, expand opportunities for affordable housing, and ensure we create quality jobs for all Americans.  I look forward to continued action on these many shared priorities, and demonstrating the real difference that a Democratic majority has made for all our families.'

Congressman Mike Honda said, 'I am thrilled by the success of Democratic Leadership's Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Town Hall.  I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and the rest of Democratic Leadership for their continued commitment to the AAPI community.  Their participation, along with that of CAPAC Members, other Democratic Members of both houses of Congress, and community advocates, was integral to the success of today's town hall.  On behalf of CAPAC, I look forward to working with Democratic Leadership to push forward the legislative issues that are important to AAPIs, including justice for our Filipino veterans, ensuring the preservation of a robust family-based immigration system, and eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities.'

The town hall focused on issues of concern to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community including immigration, health care, housing and economic development, education, veterans' affairs, Native Hawaiian issues, and civil rights.  Members that presented policy issues included: Senators Akaka, Clinton, Reed, Salazar, and Cardin and Representatives Larson, Becerra, Abercrombie, Scott, Wu, Solis, Bordallo, Green, Matsui, and Hirono.