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Washington, DC - Today in our nation's capitol, political and community leaders came together to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the Asian and Pacific Islander American community. The theme of this year's summit was Together, America Can Do Better - Democrats Moving the APIA Agenda Forward.
Congressman David Wu was appointed to lead the discussion on education and dispelling the modern minority myth. Discussions were also held on a variety of policy issues including health care, immigration and civil rights.
"The Asian American and Pacific Islander community has and will always be an integral and vibrant part of American society," stated Congressman Wu. "As we mark the 28th celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I am pleased to have this opportunity to discuss education policy and help foster further contributions by those members of the APIA population that our educational system has neglected."
Last year, Congressman Wu introduced the Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions bill that would provide grants to institutions of higher education for their efforts to improve and expand services targeting Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) students. Specifically, Congressman Wu's legislation will help institutions identify and assist low-income and underserved APIA students. Similar programs currently only serve other minority populations.
Current law provides financial assistance to institutions which serve African American, Hispanic, Native American, Alaskan Native and Hawaiian Native students. Higher education institutions serving large numbers of APIA students have not had access to this financial aid in part because of socioeconomic assumptions that categorize a complex youth population of over three million as a homogenous, academically successful unit that is not in need of academic support systems. Thus, the current educational support system fails to address the needs of specific ethnic groups within the APIA population.
In addition, Congressman Wu has requested the Government Accountability Office to report on the services institutions of higher education are currently able to offer APIA students. Congressman Wu believes the report will reveal specific ethic groups within the APIA student population are underserved and recommend more be done to assist these students.
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