There's been a lot of nastiness coming from the teabagger-birther wing of the Republican party in response to G.O.P. Congressman Joseph Cao's recent vote on the healthcare reform bill in the House. While APAP has issues with the Louisiana Congressman's anti-choice reasonings, we signed on to a letter denouncing the racist remarks.

November 13, 2009

The Honorable John Boehner (R-OH)

House Minority Leader

U.S. House of Representatives

1011 Longworth H.O.B.
Washington, DC  20515

cc:

Rep. Eric Cantor, House Minority Whip (R-VA)

Rep. Mike Honda, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair (D-CA)

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker (D-CA)

 

Dear Representative Boehner:

Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao (R-LA), the lone Republican who voted for healthcare reform legislation H.R. 3962, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, has come under withering racist attacks from conservative bloggers and websites. The Congressman has been denigrated as a “gook,” “Joseph Mao,” and a litany of other racially motivated smears.  
 
This vile and racist language lowers the political discourse in our country and distracts our elected officials from solving the serious problems at hand. We call on you, your colleagues, and leaders of the Republican Party, to denounce this blatant racism that is increasingly coming from “tea party” bloggers and conservative forums like Free Republic. 

America has been a land of immigrants from around the world, and this beloved country's strength comes from its diversity and equal protection for all under the law. Understanding this, we urge you to step forward and condemn the un-American hate currently being hurled at Congressman Cao.

Sincerely,

 

<signed>

Organizations:

Asian American Action Fund - Gautam Dutta

Asian Pacific Americans for Progress

Cook Ross, Inc. - Leslie Traub

Indian American Leadership Council – Yesvy Gustasp

Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association - Hoan Dang

National Federation of Filipino American Associations – Jon Melegrito

Organizations of Chinese Americans – Stan Lou and Stan Tsai

Vietnamese American Voters Association, Inc. – Jackie Bong-Wright

Voice of Vietnamese Americans - Genie Nguyen Le

Your Energy Solutions - Renee Putshe

Individuals:

Amy Dang – Miami Beach, FL

George Dang - Silver Spring, MD

JoAnn Krecke - Bethesda, MD

Larry La - Silver Spring, MD

Christine Meloni – Springfield, VA