“This month is a special opportunity to pay tribute to the contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islanders American community, including immigrants, refugees, and natives and to address the challenges facing the community,” said Congresswoman Solis. “Approximately 15 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, representing a diverse community of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, make their homes in the United States. Their unique contributions enhance our great country.”

The Asian and Pacific Islander American community is a fast-growing group of color in the United States, Congresswoman Solis noted. In fact, it is estimated that by 2050 more than 33 million Asian Americans will live in the United States. Asian and Pacific Islanders Americans are making valuable contributions to every aspect of American life – from business to education to the arts to the military. For example, there are now more than 1.1 million APIA-owned small businesses across the country and hundreds of thousands of APIA servicemembers and veterans.

“I salute the 313,000 AAPI veterans who have courageously served our country,” Congresswoman Solis said. “To them I make a solemn promise to fight for enactment of the GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century that would guarantee that our troops and our veterans receive the pay, health care and other benefits they have earned and deserve.”

“Also this month, seniors and people with disabilities face a May 15th deadline to sign up for a prescription drug plan or be forced to pay the Bush prescription drug tax for the rest of their lives. In the 32nd Congressional district, 35 percent of the Asian and Pacific Islander American community lacks health insurance and between 40 and 60 percent speak a language other than English at home. Cultural and language barriers limit access to critical health services,” Congresswoman Solis explained. “We will continue to fight for common-sense reforms to fix the flaws of the current program so seniors and people with disabilities are guaranteed reliable prescription drug benefit that they deserve.”  

“Immigration has played a critical role in our country’s great history,” Congresswoman Solis said. “As we consider immigration reform, I believe that we must both take steps to better protect and defend our borders, and protect and defend our values with a humane and fair immigration policy. Right now, APIAs face an immigration backlog that has forced some to wait as long as 20 years to rejoin their families.”

“As we celebrate the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to the whole of the nation, we must rededicate our efforts to ensuring equality and opportunities so that all Americans have a chance to reach their full potential,” added Congresswoman Solis. “We can make the American dream a reality for all Americans.”