Purpose, Mission & Goals

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994. CAPAC is non-partisan and bi-cameral.

Purpose

• To ensure that legislation passed by the United States Congress, to the greatest extent possible, provides for the full participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and reflects the concerns and needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities;
   
• To educate other Members of Congress about the history, contributions and concerns of Asian American and Pacific Islanders;
   
• To work with other Members and Caucuses to protect and advance the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans;
   
• To establish policies on legislation and issues relating to persons of Asian and/or Pacific Islands ancestry who are citizens or nationals of, residents of, or immigrants to, the United States, its territories and possessions; and
   
• To provide a structure to coordinate the efforts, and enhance the ability, of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Members of Congress to accomplish those goals.

History

CAPAC was established on May 16, 1994. Congressman Norman Y. Mineta, one of the founders of CAPAC, became its first Chair.

Since then, the Caucus has been led by four other prominent Asian American and Pacific Islander Members of Congress: Congresswoman Patsy Mink of Hawaii, Congressman Robert A. Underwood of Guam, Congressman David Wu of Oregon, and Congressman Mike Honda of California.

The Caucus is currently led by Congresswoman Judy Chu, who became CAPAC Chair in February 2011.