FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2023
Media Contact: media@aasforum.org
Washington, DC—The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is pleased to announce that it has become a member of the Task Force on Asian Pacific American History and Culture. As part of the Task Force, AASF and other distinguished members will develop museological directions and curatorial priorities that will reflect the histories, contributions, and cultures of all Asian Pacific American ethno-racial subgroups. The findings of the Task Force will be delivered to the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture.
The Museum Commission was established last year when President Biden signed Congresswoman Grace Meng’s historic bill, “Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act,” into law. The Commission’s central task is to draft and deliver a report to Congress, which will be done in consultation with experts to understand the intricacies of building a museum. The Task Force and other prominent AAPI organizations will provide this expertise to the Commission, particularly in curatorial directions and content of the museum.
“We are extremely honored to be a part of this historic endeavor,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, AASF Executive Director & Civil Rights Attorney. “From AASF’s beginnings, we have worked hard to uplift and celebrate the contributions of Asian American scholars and scientists, and our membership in the Task Force on Asian Pacific American History and Culture will ensure that these contributions are recognized for generations to come.”
“AASF was created to ensure that Asian American scholars have a seat at the table,” said Dr. Yasheng Huang, AASF Founding President & Professor of International Management at MIT. “We are humbled and grateful to have this critical seat at this table, and look forward to being a part of the visionary efforts to make a future national museum of Asian American Pacific Islanders a reality.”
“It is with pride and gratitude that we join the Task Force on Asian Pacific American History and Culture for the future creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture,” said Dr. Kai Li, AASF Founding Vice President & Wythes Professor in Computer Science at Princeton University. “The groundbreaking inventions, research, and discoveries of Asian American scientists and scholars have historically been overlooked, and we are eager to be a part of the efforts to change that.”
Dr. Frank Chang, Chair of the AASF Promotion & Education Committee and Wintek Chair in Electrical Engineering and Distinguished Professor of UCLA said, “Asian American scholars have played a crucial and irreplaceable role in keeping the United States as world leader in science and technology. As a member of the Task Force, we will ensure that this history and the contributions of Asian American scholars will not be forgotten.”
###
Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is a national non-profit that promotes academic belonging, openness, freedom, and equality for all. In response to heightened anti-Asian sentiments and profiling in the U.S., AASF has been a leading national voice fighting for the rights of Asian American and immigrant scientists, researchers, and scholars. AASF membership includes members from the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Science and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, in addition to past and current university presidents, provost, vice provosts, deans, associate deans and past and current department chairs.