HR 41
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Date of Hearing: May 26, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
James Ramos, Chair
HR 41 (Mike Fong) – As Introduced May 17, 2023
SUBJECT: Combating Asian Invisibility Day.
SUMMARY: Recognizes May 17, 2023, as Combating Asian Invisibility Day, as part of
honoring May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Specifically,
this resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1) May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a month to celebrate and remember the
contribution of AAPI in this country and this state. Despite people from various Asian
countries having arrived in this country since the 1850s, the history of this community is one
that is full of forgotten stories.
2) From fighting for birthright citizenship in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) 169 U.S.
649 and equal education opportunity for ESL students in Lau v. Nichols (1974) 414 U.S. 563
to establishing that all persons in the country should enjoy equal protections guaranteed by
the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution in Yick Wo v. Hopkins (1886) 118
U.S. 356, the Asian community was foundational in shaping the nation.
3) As we commemorate the accomplishments and contributions of these early immigrants, this
is also a time we must continue to reflect on the needs of the AAPI community. The “model
minority” and perpetual foreigner stereotypes continue to deem the AAPI community an
invisible group.
4) Lack of language access in most governmental services and inaccurate data masks the true
needs of their economic struggles, health disparities, and educational attainment.
5) AAPI invisibility perpetuates false “otherness” narratives in our society, leaving
communities vulnerable to discrimination, hate crimes, and accostment, as seen in the last
three years in which over 11,000 acts of hate against AAPI communities were reported.
6) In order to combat Asian invisibility, we must insist on language accessibility, accurate and
disaggregated data, and inclusion for our communities that can uplift all to achieve economic
and educational equity, healthier Californians, and a stronger sense of representation and
safety.
7) The Legislature confirms its commitment to supporting and standing in solidarity with the
AAPI community to address the disproportionate effects invisibility has caused by
advocating for better language access and accurate data that represents the community.
FISCAL EFFECT: None
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
 HR 41
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Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800