FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Rachel Dupree, media@aasforum.org
Washington, DC— Late last week on June 26, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), representing various Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI)-serving nonprofit organizations, submitted a letter (attached) urging Congress to allocate $10 million in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Fiscal Year 2025 federal budget to support the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI).
Addressed to key members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, the letter emphasizes the critical need for funding to support WHIAANHPI’s staffing and contractual needs, which were left unmet in the FY2024 budget due to a significant budget cut. The Asian American Scholar Forum, a signatory of the letter, highlights the importance of WHIAANHPI’s work in advancing equity, justice, and economic opportunity for AANHPI communities.
Said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, AASF Executive Director: “Securing funding for WHIAANHPI is not just about supporting an important initiative; it’s about investing in the future of our communities. WHIAANHPI’s work is crucial in promoting belonging and inclusion for AANHPI communities–including Asian American scholars–as well as expanding education on AANHPI histories and contributions to the country. This funding will support WHIAANHPI to continue its work breaking down institutional barriers and fostering an environment where AANHPI communities can excel and thrive in our society.”
Said the letter signatories, “The requested funding will enable WHIAANHPI to continue its mission of enhancing cultural understanding, increasing representation in various sectors, and ensuring that AANHPI communities are not left behind, particularly during economic recovery and growth.”
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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.