MADISON, Wis. — In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AAPI Caucus Co-Chairs Angela Jenkins and Caitlin Lee and Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler released the following statements:
AAPI Caucus Co-Chair Angela Jenkins:
“The month of May marks the nationwide celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — recognizing the diversity of our AAPI community as well as the extraordinary contributions that AAPI Wisconsinites have made to our state’s history.
“This year’s AAPI Heritage Month is especially meaningful as AAPI leaders continue to organize and build coalitions, working to stop AAPI hate and create more spaces of belonging and safety. While there’s still much work to be done for better visibility and inclusion, Wisconsin’s AAPI community is strong and we will continue to uplift and support one another through it all.
“This month, we celebrate our culture, our history, and the impacts our AAPI community has made in Wisconsin throughout its history.”
AAPI Caucus Co-Chair Caitlin Lee:
“Each May, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Part of the AAPI community’s beauty lies within our diversity — the multitude of languages, cultures, and traditions passed down from generation to generation.
“As Wisconsin Democrats, we’re proud to support AAPI leaders across the state – from local officials such as Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Kristy Yang and Appleton School Board member Pheng Thao, to Attorney General Josh Kaul and State Representative Francesca Hong.
“This month, we honor all those who lead and inspire our diverse and vibrant community, and look forward to the work we will continue to do to uplift one another.”
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler:
“Today we recognize and celebrate the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to recognize and honor the vibrant AAPI communities across Wisconsin.
“Amidst our celebration, however, we must also reflect that these past few years have been painful for AAPI communities across Wisconsin and around the country, with the recent rise in violence and hate amid the COVID-19 pandemic. So, while we celebrate this month, we must recommit ourselves to standing against AAPI hate in all its forms — and continue to do the work of uplifting, caring for, and building partnerships with our AAPI community members, so that we can ensure that Wisconsin is a state where all know they have a home, and where all can thrive.”
