U.S. Representative Michael Honda (CA-15), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, today joined Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Union) and Asian American leaders from across New Jersey at several cultural celebrations across the state of New Jersey to campaign for Governor Jon S. Corzine, Senator Loretta Weinberg and New Jersey Democrats running for office at all levels to solidify support among New Jersey’s Asian American voters.

“I am honored to have Congressman Honda in New Jersey today,” said Corzine.  “He is a national leader and a prominent member of the Asian American community and his efforts today will ensure that even more Asian Americans who call New Jersey home will recognize the hard work of New Jersey Democrats who are dedicated to working for the issues that matter most to all New Jersey families.  I am proud of the support I receive from the Asian American community, which is one of the fastest growing segments of our population, and the Democratic Party, in our state.”

Congressman Honda said he is an avid supporter of Governor Corzine’s re-election efforts based on the governor’s record of fighting for what matters most to working families including expanding access to healthcare, his commitment to quality education and his ongoing work to keep the State’s economy on track.  Honda said New Jersey Democrats recognize the strength of the State’s growing Asian American population and see support from the Asian American community as an integral component of Democratic victory this November.

“I am honored to take part in today’s events to recognize some of the most significant holidays for Asian Americans from Filipino Heritage Month to the Chinese Moon Festival to the Korean Harvest Festival and the Celebration of Diwali for Hindu, Sikhs and Janes,” said Congressman Honda (D-CA).  “I am here today to speak to New Jersey Asian Americans from every background and nationality to share with them the Democratic values that Governor Corzine, Senator Weinberg and New Jersey Democrats across the State have been fighting to protect.  Under Democratic leadership, nearly 100,000 more New Jersey children have access to health care, every child has the opportunity to attain a quality education, quality health care for families has been expanded to provide more of the care New Jerseyans need and the State is leading the nation in economic recovery and getting back on track.”

Honda met with Asian American leaders from across New Jersey for a breakfast meeting to discuss the governor’s policies and its impacts to New Jersey’s growing Asian American community.  Later he attended events to celebrate Asian American cultural holidays including:  a rally in Old Bridge to recognize October as “Filipino American Heritage Month” with over 400 attendees, a Princeton rally with over 400 participants to celebrate the Chinese American Moon Festival -- the third and final festival of the Chinese lunar calendar, a rally of nearly 500 people for the Korean American Harvest Festival in Englewood and he attended a temple in Edison for a Diwali Celebration -- the southeastern Asian holiday that celebrates the beginning of the Indian lunar calendar.

“As the first Asian American elected in New Jersey I am proud to be a New Jersey Democrat because we stand for the issues that matter most to New Jersey’s Asian American community and families across the State,” said Chivukula (D-Middlesex).  “We must do all that we can to re-elect Governor Corzine, elect Senator Weinberg and New Jersey Democrats across the State to ensure every New Jerseyan has access to quality education, health care and that we are keeping New Jersey’s economy on the right track and our state moving forward.”

Asian-Americans are New Jersey's fastest-growing ethnic group, accounting for 7.5 percent of the State's population, which is up from 6 percent in 2000, according to Census figures from July 1, 2008.  Currently, New Jersey is home of the nation’s third largest concentration of Asian Americans.

Since 2001, Congressman Honda has represented the 15th Congressional District in California.  Honda is a national leader on issues including:  education, transportation, civil rights, national service, environment and high-technology.  For the last six years, he has served as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus working with the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus to champion the causes of under-represented communities by promoting social justice, racial tolerance and civil rights.  

Originally posted at politckernj by the New Jersey State Democratic Committee.