AAPI Caucus Holds Meeting On Third Day Of Democratic National Convention In Chicago, Illinois

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Transcript

00:00:00Aloha, everybody. Nice to see you all. And in fact, my friend, she, yesterday was your

00:00:18birthday. Our friend, Belle Yong Hong, who has been a leader in the AANHPI community

00:00:26for a long time. And so, we wish you, well, some of us sang you happy birthday yesterday,

00:00:32but just know that she is just plugging away. So, Diversity Hope is in the house.

00:00:39And this convention has been about multiracial diversity and speakers from AOC to Doug

00:00:52We are the big tent. This is the Democracy Convention. Not just the Democratic Convention,

00:01:00but Democracy Convention, because democracy is on the line this year. And in Kamala Harris

00:01:06and Tim Walz, we have not only a diverse team, but a team that has empathy and that cares

00:01:16about all of us and that doesn't just care about themselves. And so, the choices are so clear.

00:01:25And come on, you guys. You're sitting there looking at me going like, where's the energy,

00:01:31you guys? Come on. Are we? That is more like it, because that is what it's going to take

00:01:42for us to win this election. And when I heard, when we all heard the Obamas, I tell you,

00:01:48you know, I was watching, for example, the Supreme Court, this out-of-control Supreme Court majority,

00:01:53and they were deciding the affirmative action case, and I was really paying attention

00:01:57to what they were going to do. This is the affirmative action case that involved Harvard

00:02:02and North Carolina, I believe it was. And I pretty much knew what they were going to do,

00:02:08but when Michelle Obama said, we are not the recipients of the affirmative action of inherited wealth,

00:02:14we have a Supreme Court that said that is okay, but when we try to level the playing field

00:02:21and provide affirmative action for everybody else, they say that's unconstitutional.

00:02:27You know, it's like, what the heck? This is why we need Supreme Court reform,

00:02:32but that's a whole other topic and another caucus. This is the AANHPI caucus,

00:02:41the fastest growing minority group, racial group, I would say, in the country.

00:02:47And when we organize, when we organize and when we vote, we are heard.

00:02:53And that's what we're doing. That's what we have to do in this race, this election.

00:02:57So with Kamala, I served with her for four years on the Judiciary Committee,

00:03:03and it was me, Cory Booker, and Kamala, the three of us sat next to each other.

00:03:08There was a lot of nonverbal communication among us. We would pass notes to each other,

00:03:13and Kamala framed us as the POCs on that committee, people of color. Yes.

00:03:22And somebody contacted my office and said, do they make them all sit together like that?

00:03:29It goes to show that on that Judiciary Committee, one of the most contentious,

00:03:34important committees, I would say, in the Senate, it took a long time for POCs to get on that committee.

00:03:41But I was so happy when Kamala and Cory came, because for a couple of years, I was it, you know.

00:03:49So I did use my voice, but it was so much fun, and I still remember, of course, of watching Kamala.

00:03:56I was always so delighted to see Kamala set up her questions, pin Bill Barr down,

00:04:06where he said, I'm struggling with the word suggest.

00:04:10When we were trying to talk about how important the independence of the Department of Justice was,

00:04:15and she asked him, has President Trump or anybody in the executive branch suggested that you investigate anybody?

00:04:23And there was this long pause, and he says, I'm struggling with the word suggest.

00:04:29See, that's Kamala. She would pin them down, and they would go, oh, my gosh, what am I supposed to say?

00:04:35And then she moved on, because she says, well, obviously, I mean, how about hint? Can you understand hint?

00:04:41Okay, and then with Kavanaugh, that question, I am paraphrasing a little bit.

00:04:47When we talk about the freedom of choice, that's one of the many freedoms that Kamala fights for,

00:04:52freedom of choice, freedom to vote, freedom to be safe from gun violence, but freedom of choice,

00:04:57and she asked Brett Kavanaugh, is there any law that forces a man to be limited in what he does with his body?

00:05:06And he sat there going, I don't really understand what you're talking about.

00:05:10Yes, I really enjoyed watching Kamala in action, but that is what she brings to this election.

00:05:20And when I heard President Biden say we need to send the prosecutor to the White House, not the felon, I could relate.

00:05:30Couldn't you? Okay, so this is the team that, remember, during COVID,

00:05:35and they brought us out of that horrible pandemic, and all of the attacks on AANHPIs in our community,

00:05:44and Chuck Schumer came to me and said, Maisie, you have the anti-COVID-19, anti-hate crimes bill, we need to get that done.

00:05:51When I first introduced that bill in the Senate, I couldn't get a single Republican to sign on to that bill.

00:05:58But Chuck said we have to get that bill done, and by the end, when we voted on that bill,

00:06:05and the last person to try to weaken that bill was Ted Cruz, he was on the floor of the Senate.

00:06:10He had an amendment, we fought that back.

00:06:13It was the first bipartisan bill that was enacted in that legislative session,

00:06:18and so it did exemplify that we can get things done, you know?

00:06:22But the one person who didn't vote for that bill was Josh Hawley.

00:06:26So, there you go.

00:06:28So, this is an election where all of us, and I'm glad we have a panel of AANHPI leaders,

00:06:35we need to get all of our groups, and we have a number of groups that have come together with their agendas,

00:06:42but we need to come together, all of our AANHPI groups need to come together and raise our voices in unison,

00:06:50because when we are united, we are heard.

00:06:54So, I was going to quote a stoic AANHPI cactus.

00:06:59He said, if you want something good, get the good in yourself.

00:07:05And that is why when we heard Michelle Obama say, you know, we need to get it done, we need to do something,

00:07:13I also wanted to say, do something, don't just sit on the couches, which that is a reference to you-know-who.

00:07:20So, you can take that.

00:07:23Don't just sit on the couches, do something.

00:07:26Make those phone calls, talk to your neighbors, because it is all about GOTV, get out the vote.

00:07:33Our community is going to do our part to make a difference.

00:07:37We can be the winning difference in so many local and other elections, and we need each other, and Kamala and Tim need us.

00:07:46And by the way, Tim, I served with Kamala for four years, and I consider her my friend.

00:07:51Tim Waltz and I got elected to the U.S. House in 2006.

00:07:55We are the majority-making class.

00:07:57We enabled Nancy Pelosi to become the first female speaker in the House.

00:08:02So, in our country.

00:08:06And so, Nancy Pelosi is very fond of Tim Waltz, and Tim was my personal choice,

00:08:11and of course, I love Mark Kelly, I serve with him now, but Tim Waltz, I want to quote Tim when he said,

00:08:17when it comes to reproductive choice, mind your own damn business.

00:08:23Couldn't have said it better myself.

00:08:26So, thank each and every one of you, because we are each going to do something to help this team,

00:08:33and to basically save democracy in our country.

00:08:36Mahalo nui loa.

00:08:37Thank you.

00:08:51Thank you so much, Senator.

00:08:54Your words inspire all of us and get us going for the rest of this week and into the future.

00:09:05We have in the House, Congressman Andy Kim.

00:09:15Soon to be senator.

00:09:19Yes.

00:09:23Andy?

00:09:24Yes.

00:09:30So, as he walks up here, I'll tell you a little bit about Andy.

00:09:36There's a lot that I want to talk about Andy, but one of the things why we must elect him as the next senator from New Jersey

00:09:45is, one, he will be the first Korean American in the Senate.

00:09:52Right?

00:09:55Actually, I believe that you will be the first Korean elected in the whole of Congress after you move over from the House, right?

00:10:04Yeah.

00:10:05Yes.

00:10:06You have to think?

00:10:07Come on.

00:10:10But there's a lot that I want to talk to you about, but we have just a little time,

00:10:15so I want to highlight something that many of you probably have seen already.

00:10:21If you want to recall that very awful, fateful day on January 6th,

00:10:27you may remember that one scene towards the end of the day,

00:10:32after all of that violence and all of that seditious activities by the other side,

00:10:41this congressman got on the floor, and I mean literally on the floor, to clean up the mess,

00:10:50and that is actually symbolic of his race.

00:10:55He's here to clean up the mess that the Republicans have left.

00:11:00Without further ado, Congressman.

00:11:03Thank you.

00:11:12Good morning, everyone.

00:11:19Thank you, thank you, thank you.

00:11:22No, no, no, no.

00:11:25Look, I'm really glad to be here with all of you.

00:11:27Thanks so much, Bill, for the kind introduction.

00:11:30You know, it's so important for us to be able to make sure that we have our presence here,

00:11:35that we have our voice here, and so I wanted to join with all of you to be able to do that.

00:11:40As mentioned, as the senator mentioned, you know, the fastest-growing demographic in the country.

00:11:45It's the fastest-growing demographic in New Jersey.

00:11:48But what I'll tell you is that when I first started running for Congress six years ago,

00:11:52they said, no, there's not going to be an Asian American winning your congressional district.

00:11:57You know, my district, my congressional district was 85% white, less than 3% Asian that voted for Trump.

00:12:03And they said there's no way that an Asian American Democrat is going to be able to win this district.

00:12:08And they said, look, if you want to win a seat in Congress,

00:12:11why don't you move up to North Jersey where there are a lot more people that look like you.

00:12:14And that's what they said to me.

00:12:16I said, look, like, I'm running in my district because it's my home.

00:12:20I'm not just shopping for a district I can win.

00:12:23I want to show that, you know, these people that were telling me this,

00:12:26and sadly some of them were Democrats, that we have to show them that, you know, do not judge me.

00:12:32Do not define what I am or am not capable of accomplishing simply because of the color of my skin and my last name.

00:12:41I am as American as anybody else.

00:12:44My story is not just an Asian American story, a Korean American story.

00:12:47It is fundamentally an American story.

00:12:50And I'm proud.

00:12:52And I'm proud that this 85% white district, less than 3% Asian that voted for Trump twice,

00:12:58has now three times elected a Korean American Democrat to be their voice in Congress.

00:13:08Just a little less than a year ago, we had some challenges when it came to our senator in New Jersey.

00:13:14And I decided to step up to run for Senate in New Jersey.

00:13:17And look, I had a lot of people say, hey, look, you know, you're a nice guy and all,

00:13:21but there's no way you're going to be able to win a statewide race.

00:13:24You know, there's no way.

00:13:26They're like, that seat, if it's going to go to a minority, it's going to go to someone who's Hispanic.

00:13:30And I said, look, again, don't think that I am only a voice for Asian Americans.

00:13:36Don't just think that I can only speak to those issues.

00:13:39Do not box us in.

00:13:41I'm tired of that.

00:13:43I'm tired that, you know, that people are saying, oh, look, you know, Asian Americans will call on Andy

00:13:47when it's about something about anti-Asian hate.

00:13:49Yes, that's important.

00:13:51Yes, it's important about affirmative action and other issues that are out there.

00:13:54But look, what I'll say is we have something to say about everything.

00:13:59You know, not just about Asian American issues.

00:14:02We deserve a seat at the table for every single decision being made about this country

00:14:07because that's our position.

00:14:14I don't want to be, I don't want Asian Americans just to be seen as some special interest group.

00:14:19You know, they only call upon us when it's something directly related to us.

00:14:23So, look, I have to say I have been blown away by the energy in my home state.

00:14:28What we've seen over the last 11 months has been a really improbable story

00:14:33where I can now stand before you as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate.

00:14:43But what I'll tell you is it's not just about the next 76 days,

00:14:46not that I'm counting each and every one of them,

00:14:49but I have the hope that it's not just about winning for winning's sake.

00:14:56It's about what we do with it.

00:14:58And that's something I ask each and every one of us.

00:15:00I know we're here to be fired up.

00:15:02We've got to get Kamala Harris elected.

00:15:04We've got to make sure we're doing everything we can.

00:15:06But let's remember that Election Day is the starting line, not the finish line.

00:15:09We have a lot of work to do,

00:15:11a lot of things that we have to deliver for our community, the Asian American community,

00:15:15but also to build the kind of coalition that we need to,

00:15:18to be able to show that we are going to be a friend to others as we want them to be a friend to us,

00:15:23all of us working together to be able to build that.

00:15:25And that's what we're trying to do in New Jersey,

00:15:27and I want to work with you across this entire country to be able to get this done.

00:15:31And I'm really excited.

00:15:33I mean, this is the 50th anniversary of my parents immigrating to America from South Korea.

00:15:37This year, 50 years.

00:15:42After everything that they've gone through, all that they've struggled through,

00:15:45their stories, and you know your stories and your own families,

00:15:48and I have to say we're really excited, my family,

00:15:50that we'll be able to celebrate our 50th anniversary by me becoming the next senator from New Jersey.

00:15:55Thank you, everybody.

00:15:57Thank you.

00:16:05Thank you all.

00:16:06Thank you, thank you, Andy.

00:16:08And best of luck.

00:16:10I know we all want to see the next senator from New Jersey right here, Andy Kim.

00:16:17Thank you.

00:16:18Thank you.

00:16:23Next I'm going to ask Amy, my treasurer,

00:16:26she's part of my executive committee,

00:16:28to come up to introduce a whole series of very important speakers.

00:16:34And I'm going to leave it to Amy to start.

00:16:49Good morning, Democrats.

00:16:52And in Hawaii, we say aloha.

00:16:54So aloha.

00:16:58Yeah.

00:17:00Thank you.

00:17:01You know, this convention is good practice for campaigning.

00:17:07How many people here are tired?

00:17:11How many are sleep-deprived?

00:17:15How many are jet-lagged?

00:17:18And how many have dredged up the energy to be here and will continue to this fight?

00:17:26Yes.

00:17:31You're about to hear from a series of our leaders

00:17:35in the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Island community.

00:17:40So I hope you will put on your campaign focus and energy

00:17:45and focus on their message.

00:17:48The first person I'd like to introduce is the Honorable Nira Nanden.

00:17:55Nanden. Sorry.

00:18:00Oh, my typo. Sorry.

00:18:05Nira currently serves as the domestic policy advisor to President Biden.

00:18:11She was the senior advisor and staff secretary in the White House.

00:18:16She's from Bedford, Massachusetts.

00:18:20Graduated from UC in Los Angeles and Yale Law.

00:18:25My husband is Yale, too.

00:18:27Thank you very much.

00:18:29Actually, I have more.

00:18:31Oh, don't worry. Don't worry about it.

00:18:33Okay. Thank you very much.

00:18:37Good morning. Thank you.

00:18:42Good morning, everyone.

00:18:46Are you fired up?

00:18:49Fired up?

00:18:52Fired up?

00:18:54Ready to go?

00:18:58Who saw Barack and Michelle Obama last night?

00:19:02Oh, my God.

00:19:04And I have to say, what I was thrilled by

00:19:09was Michelle Obama and Barack Obama's defense of diversity.

00:19:16My favorite line, maybe I had a few lines or some good lines about crowd size.

00:19:23But I have to say, the line that really stays with me

00:19:27is the line around people attacking diversity

00:19:33who have the affirmative action of generational wealth.

00:19:38And that's why I think it is so vital that we are all here

00:19:45because the beauty of the Democratic Party

00:19:49is that it represents all of us.

00:19:52I'm so proud to be in an administration

00:19:55with the highest number of Asian Americans, AANHPI, people in history.

00:20:00And I am so proud to be in a White House

00:20:06with Vice President Kamala Harris,

00:20:11the first daughter of an Asian immigrant

00:20:15who will be President of the United States.

00:20:21And as Hillary said, when we look through those cracks,

00:20:25we'll see on the other side a Kamala Harris presidency

00:20:30that truly represents all of us,

00:20:34knows our experiences, brings them to the table,

00:20:38and we'll have a government that truly understands us.

00:20:43Not with just a Mazie Hirono,

00:20:45not just with a new Senator Andy Kim,

00:20:51but with a President who truly understands us.

00:20:55A President who will always make sure our voices are heard.

00:21:01And when our community is attacked,

00:21:04she will use her fiery passion and prosecutorial skill to fight back.

00:21:10Thank you very much.

00:21:22Thank you, Neera.

00:21:23Thank you, Neera.

00:21:25Let me bring up B.D. Wong next.

00:21:40I apologize.

00:21:42I think that Nani Coloretti is our next speaker.

00:21:45I apologize.

00:21:47I got a little bit out of order here.

00:21:5330 seconds.

00:21:56So Nani Coloretti is currently the Budget Director

00:22:00of the Office of Management and Budget.

00:22:03Deputy Director, I'm sorry.

00:22:06So Deputy Director Coloretti, also from Kipahulu, Maui.

00:22:15Oahu.

00:22:17I thought it was Maui.

00:22:19Sorry.

00:22:21Aloha. Come.

00:22:23Thank you.

00:22:33Aloha.

00:22:35Aloha.

00:22:37Good morning.

00:22:39How many of you stood in a line yesterday for two hours?

00:22:42I did.

00:22:44It was awesome.

00:22:46I met somebody on the subway last night

00:22:49as I was trying to make my way home

00:22:51who has been to 14 conventions.

00:22:53And they also stood in line for two hours

00:22:56and they were happy to do it

00:22:58because they said that we are bringing the joy.

00:23:00We are bringing the joy.

00:23:02So I want to bring the joy to you today.

00:23:04I'm Nani Coloretti.

00:23:06I am here in my personal capacity.

00:23:08Belle Leong Hong has reminded me to tell you that.

00:23:10But I am someone with over 25 years in public service

00:23:15at the state, local, and federal levels.

00:23:17And so I grew up in Hawaii, in Onuahu,

00:23:21for those of you who are tracking.

00:23:23Half of my adult life in California

00:23:25and half in Maryland.

00:23:27So I'm trying to represent, you know,

00:23:29all of the parts and pieces here.

00:23:31And I just want to say a couple quick things.

00:23:34First of all,

00:23:36Vice President Harris announced her plan

00:23:38for the economy last week.

00:23:40And I don't know if you were paying attention,

00:23:42but it is awesome.

00:23:44She is building on the progress

00:23:46that she has made as Vice President Harris

00:23:48as part of the Biden-Harris administration.

00:23:50And we are very, very excited about it.

00:23:51On affordability and on building the middle class.

00:23:55And that is really going to be significantly important

00:23:58and for all of us to talk about that

00:24:00because it's going to make a difference for everyone.

00:24:03I want to just say something really personal

00:24:06about Kamala Harris, about Vice President Harris.

00:24:09I worked with her in San Francisco over 20 years ago

00:24:13when she wasn't even in elected office.

00:24:16She was a city attorney in San Francisco

00:24:17and she basically was already,

00:24:20had already been a champion for children and families.

00:24:23And we worked together on bringing a grant to San Francisco

00:24:27that took care of children

00:24:29who were the witnesses of abuse in their own homes.

00:24:32And that grant was the first of its kind program.

00:24:36It was actually an Office of Justice Programs program.

00:24:39Vanita was from,

00:24:41we were one of the first places in San Francisco

00:24:44to put that program,

00:24:45and actually it is now a national program.

00:24:48And that's the kind of work that Kamala does.

00:24:50She has a vision.

00:24:52She sees far into the future

00:24:54and she fights for children and families.

00:24:56And she is going to fight for us.

00:24:58And I'll just say, we will also fight for her.

00:25:01And when we fight, we win.

00:25:05And so do not forget that.

00:25:07And thank you for being here.

00:25:09By the way, thank you for everybody doing the work,

00:25:11the hard work that you are doing on the ground.

00:25:13We are the margin of victory.

00:25:16So thank you for having me here today.

00:25:36Well, you learn something every day.

00:25:39There are no titles here.

00:25:41So I'd like to introduce Chantelle Wong next.

00:25:55Honorable Chantelle Wong,

00:25:58who has the rank of Ambassador,

00:26:01so I can say Ambassador Wong as well.

00:26:03She's probably traveled the farthest,

00:26:06came from Manila to join us this morning.

00:26:09So please, Ambassador Wong, thank you very much.

00:26:20Okay.

00:26:22It's going to be a little bit of a policy wonkish speech.

00:26:27But good morning, everybody.

00:26:30It's really an honor for me to be here with everybody

00:26:33in our diversity and shared commitment to a better future,

00:26:37both here in the U.S., but for me personally,

00:26:41in our ancestral homelands at the moment.

00:26:44This morning, I want to reflect a little bit

00:26:46about the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration,

00:26:51especially in the Asia-Pacific region,

00:26:54where I now call home.

00:26:56I'm from Manila, Mabuhay.

00:26:58So we're definitely reclaiming our presence in the region

00:27:04where American leadership has been really missing for decades,

00:27:08particularly the last administration.

00:27:11First, I want to recognize the vital role

00:27:14that AANHPIs have been playing,

00:27:18including appointments like Ambassador Tai,

00:27:22as well as all the Labor Secretary there, yes,

00:27:29in various capacities.

00:27:30And I'm really privileged to serve alongside

00:27:33all of our AANHPI colleagues in various capacities

00:27:39in state, defense, commerce, trade, and treasury.

00:27:43I know Vice President Harris's visit to the countries

00:27:47like Singapore, Vietnam, and Philippines

00:27:50have really strengthened the U.S. relationships

00:27:53and commitments to the region

00:27:55and really provided deep work,

00:27:57economic work around security and diplomatic ties.

00:28:02So on an international stage,

00:28:05she has really championed American businesses,

00:28:08advocated for fair trade practices,

00:28:10and expanded market opportunities.

00:28:13Her commitment to an equitable

00:28:16and competitive global marketplace

00:28:18has really made her a key figure

00:28:21in the administration's economic strategy.

00:28:24So in the Asia-Pacific region,

00:28:25particularly, this leadership has really translated

00:28:29to increased collaboration

00:28:31on environmental sustainability and resilience.

00:28:34Vice President Harris has emphasized clean energy,

00:28:39protecting ecosystem, climate change, and whatnot.

00:28:42Maybe on a personal note, a little bit,

00:28:45because I'm running short on time,

00:28:47I want to reflect a little bit about Kamala Harris

00:28:50that I know and her impact on my life.

00:28:53I first came to know city attorney Kamala Harris

00:28:57in San Francisco where my parents call home.

00:29:00And when she ran for district attorney,

00:29:03I really was so inspired that I was on a GS-9 salary,

00:29:08so I donated meager amounts to her campaign.

00:29:12That was 22 years ago.

00:29:14On the intervening years,

00:29:16I've had a few opportunities to interact with her.

00:29:19When I finally retired from federal service,

00:29:21I was privileged enough to be the official photographer

00:29:25for the late Congressman John Lewis,

00:29:29crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge every year.

00:29:33The senator, Senator Harris,

00:29:35would come to join in those pilgrimages

00:29:38along other members of Congress.

00:29:40I've taken a lot of beautiful photos

00:29:42and memorable images of Senator Harris

00:29:45during those journeys.

00:29:47And when I told her when she came to Manila, the Philippines,

00:29:49I told her that I had printed these photos

00:29:52and given it to the second gentleman

00:29:55because he was there earlier.

00:29:57And then she turned to him to complain

00:30:00that where are the photos?

00:30:02And he glared at me and he said,

00:30:04how dare you get me in trouble with my wife?

00:30:07And so I brought them along in hopes to get them to her.

00:30:11But when she became vice president,

00:30:13and I know Shekhar knows this,

00:30:15I really wanted to be the first,

00:30:16the official photographer for the first Asian American,

00:30:20the first black,

00:30:22and the first woman vice president of the United States.

00:30:25I wanted to document her journey.

00:30:27But they told me that job was taken.

00:30:30So I had to settle for ambassador job.

00:30:34But I put together a really hard portfolio.

00:30:38Finally, I hope that maybe I'll get a chance to do that again.

00:30:42So I hope that, first of all,

00:30:43I want to say that being first is really important.

00:30:47I'm the first out lesbian, open lesbian U.S. ambassador

00:30:51in the history.

00:30:53But I want to quote what Vice President Kamala Harris

00:31:00says about her mother.

00:31:02Being first is really, really important.

00:31:05But let me not be the last.

00:31:07And so we really need to do that.

00:31:10Thank you.

00:31:11Thank you.

00:31:20Next up, we have a welcome from my hometown,

00:31:2417th Congressional District, Rocana,

00:31:27a frequent guest of Bill Maher,

00:31:29and the voice of a progressive young people.

00:31:32Come on up, bro.

00:31:42Are we excited after last night?

00:31:45That was incredible.

00:31:47Let me just thank Otto.

00:31:49Otto is, I don't know where Otto went,

00:31:51but he is at every dance.

00:31:54He is doing an incredible job as the supervisor

00:31:57in my district.

00:31:59And I have such admiration for him.

00:32:01And I have so much admiration for Bell.

00:32:03You know, I have known Bell for decades.

00:32:06And she is tireless.

00:32:08She is committed.

00:32:09She is tireless.

00:32:11She is committed to this caucus.

00:32:13She was there when there were very few Asian Americans.

00:32:15Let's give her a round of applause for her service

00:32:18to this caucus and to our party.

00:32:23And a couple more shout outs.

00:32:25I see my excellent friend, Vanita Gupta.

00:32:28I think she should be the Attorney General

00:32:30in a Harris-Walton ministry.

00:32:33She can't say it.

00:32:35I can.

00:32:36But she's just an incredible talent

00:32:37and we're lucky to have her.

00:32:39And Deepak Raj, what he has done with impact

00:32:42has been absolutely incredible.

00:32:45Neera Tanden, of course, a brilliant policy mind.

00:32:48All the policies end up, you know,

00:32:50some way she has an impact on them.

00:32:53And the last shout out to Deepa Sharma

00:32:55who has been a young Indian American woman

00:32:57who is running for Vice Chair in California.

00:33:00And I'm behind her.

00:33:02And I hope others will support her.

00:33:05Look, I don't want to take up a lot of time.

00:33:08I want to tell a personal story about Vice President Harris

00:33:12and then explain why this election is so important.

00:33:18I, when I was starting out, I was 27 years old

00:33:21and I decided to run against a long time

00:33:24Democratic incumbent, Tom Lantos.

00:33:27And he had supported the war in Iraq.

00:33:30And, you know, when you run against an incumbent

00:33:31in your own party, everyone moves away from you.

00:33:35They don't want to talk to you.

00:33:37They don't want to have anything to do with you.

00:33:39And it's a very, very hard thing.

00:33:41And so there was only one person back then

00:33:44who was elected who was willing to meet with me.

00:33:47And that was District Attorney Kamala Harris.

00:33:50And I remember going into her office

00:33:53and it shows how she's tough but also open.

00:33:57And, you know, waited for 15 minutes

00:33:58and then I go into her office and she says,

00:34:01so Roe, you're running.

00:34:03I said, yes.

00:34:05She says, well, can I see some literature?

00:34:07I said, we don't have any literature.

00:34:09I'm running against the war.

00:34:11She said, let me give you some advice.

00:34:13You may want to come to these meetings

00:34:15with some literature with your platform.

00:34:17And I said, well, you know, District Attorney Harris,

00:34:19I have not gotten the San Francisco Chronicle

00:34:21to be able to write a single article

00:34:23about my anti-war campaign.

00:34:25And she said, well, that's not right.

00:34:26You know, I don't think you're going to necessarily win

00:34:28but you deserve to be covered.

00:34:30And she made a phone call and the next day

00:34:32the San Francisco Chronicle wrote an article

00:34:34about my anti-war campaign.

00:34:36The reason I share that story is that Vice President Harris,

00:34:42when she's President Harris,

00:34:44doesn't just look out for herself.

00:34:46She knows the barriers she's had to break.

00:34:49She knows how tough it was.

00:34:51Those races were not easy for her

00:34:53to win District Attorney in San Francisco.

00:34:54It was not easy for her

00:34:56to win Attorney General in California.

00:34:58It was not easy for her to become the Senator

00:35:01or to become Vice President.

00:35:03She's had to break the barriers.

00:35:05And so she knows that we need to break barriers

00:35:07to have other people have a shot

00:35:09and she's going to help other people do that

00:35:11like she did for me.

00:35:13Let me end with this point.

00:35:15You know, J.D. Vance gave this whole speech

00:35:17at the Republican Convention.

00:35:19Do you remember where he talked

00:35:21about the seven generations of Americans

00:35:22that had this cemetery plot of land in Eastern Kentucky?

00:35:28And he said, this is my, this is our homeland.

00:35:31It's not a country based on ideas.

00:35:33And then he said, Usha, who I know, who I like,

00:35:35his wife, is going to be buried on this plot of land.

00:35:38And I'm thinking, you know,

00:35:40Usha Vance is Hindu-American like me.

00:35:42Is she going to have a choice in the matter?

00:35:44Because, you know, I would think she'd have some choice.

00:35:46But, you know, what upset me about that speech is

00:35:49that Vance was basically implying

00:35:50that the longer you could trace your heritage back,

00:35:54the amount of generations you could trace your heritage,

00:35:56that that somehow defined what it means to be an American.

00:36:00Well, you know, Benita or Neera or myself, our parents,

00:36:05we can't trace our heritage back seven generations.

00:36:07Neither, by the way, can Vice President Harris.

00:36:11But we're just as American as someone

00:36:13who can trace their heritage back to the Mayflower.

00:36:17And it was not me who was saying that.

00:36:26It wasn't even Obama, though he's still the best,

00:36:28who was saying that.

00:36:30It was Abraham Lincoln who said that.

00:36:32In 1858, back then, you had to be able to trace your heritage back

00:36:36to the Revolutionary War to be American.

00:36:38You had to be able to say that you knew someone who fought

00:36:42in the Revolutionary War.

00:36:44And Lincoln said, Well, how can you be a German-American?

00:36:47How can you be a French-American if you don't have a great,

00:36:49great grandfather who was in the Revolution?

00:36:51And so Lincoln said, Every American who believes

00:36:54in the Constitution, who believes in the Declaration

00:36:56of Independence is flesh of the flesh, blood of the blood

00:36:59of the American founders.

00:37:01My friends, we are the party of Lincoln.

00:37:03When we elect Kamala Harris as President of the United States,

00:37:06we're going to show that this country is a multiracial democracy

00:37:10where it doesn't matter how long your lineage is.

00:37:13You can be American.

00:37:15Everyone can be American and contribute.

00:37:17Let's go win in 2024.

00:37:19Let's elect Kamala Harris President of the United States.

00:37:22You see us tap-dancing up here as we change the order.

00:37:35I am delighted to introduce Vanita Gupta,

00:37:39a career civil rights attorney who was

00:37:43with the American Civil Liberties Union.

00:37:46And has served a number of positions in government,

00:37:50including for Barack Obama.

00:37:52Thanks all.

00:37:59So are we fired up?

00:38:01And are we ready to do something?

00:38:05I just love the do something because as a civil rights lawyer,

00:38:08I'm this eternal optimist, but I also spend a lot

00:38:11of time agonizing and worried because that's what we do

00:38:13because we know that if we don't fight, we're not going to win.

00:38:16And just hearing Michelle Obama yesterday repeat the focus

00:38:21for all of us over the next 78 days, 77 days,

00:38:25I think is so vitally important.

00:38:28I am fired up.

00:38:30And as a lifelong civil rights attorney who has been proud

00:38:32to serve as President Obama's head of the Civil Rights Division

00:38:36and then most recently as Associate Attorney General,

00:38:39the first Asian American in top three leadership

00:38:41at the Justice Department, and we won't be the last.

00:38:44I know, and I don't take anything for granted.

00:38:49When we talk about a multiracial democracy,

00:38:51that is exactly what is at stake in this election.

00:38:55And when I headed up the Leadership Conference on Civil

00:38:57and Human Rights, and Neera and I and many other leaders were

00:39:00doing everything we could to protect the multiracial democracy

00:39:03in the Trump administration, we worked with Senator Harris.

00:39:07We worked with her on voting rights legislation.

00:39:10On LGBTQ rights.

00:39:12On the Equality Act.

00:39:14We worked with her to protect our census.

00:39:16We worked with her to ensure that our courts,

00:39:18our judges would actually be impartial arbiters

00:39:21and not partisan hacks.

00:39:23People who would actually not overturn decades of precedent

00:39:26the way that we've seen recently in Dobbs,

00:39:28in the Affirmative Action case, in the Chevron case.

00:39:31There is too much at stake.

00:39:33And she has been a fighter for all of us

00:39:36from the day that she entered public service.

00:39:38We worked with her when she was Vice President.

00:39:40We've been working with her.

00:39:42I was very proud to be able to chair

00:39:44the Justice Department's Reproductive Rights Task Force.

00:39:47And Vice President Harris has been our leader

00:39:49in pushing back and fighting back

00:39:51so that women in America, we have the ability

00:39:54to make decisions for our own selves

00:39:56about our body and our health care.

00:39:58And we are not going to let that go.

00:40:01She has traveled the country,

00:40:03meeting with people across the country,

00:40:04physicians, patients, women all over,

00:40:06activists, men who are joining this.

00:40:08And we know what is at stake.

00:40:10And so I just want to say in closing,

00:40:12when John Lewis, the mighty John Lewis,

00:40:14said democracy is not a state, it is an act.

00:40:16And when Michelle Obama says do something,

00:40:18we know we've got to knock on all of our doors.

00:40:20We have to talk to our family members,

00:40:22make sure that they are registered to vote,

00:40:24that they are going to show up to vote.

00:40:26I want to say thank you.

00:40:28I want to say thank you.

00:40:30I want to say thank you.

00:40:32I want to say thank you.

00:40:34I'm going to be working with an amazing team of lawyers

00:40:36to try to do everything we can

00:40:38to ensure a safe, fair, and free election.

00:40:42We should not take for granted

00:40:44that there aren't going to be a lot of shenanigans played

00:40:46with people's right to vote

00:40:48and the ability to have their vote counted.

00:40:50And it will be on all of us showing up

00:40:52at county commissioner meetings,

00:40:54making sure our secretaries of state understand

00:40:56that they cannot take away the right to vote,

00:40:58which has been so hard fought and hard achieved.

00:41:01And we're going to need to donate.

00:41:02We're going to need to sign up as poll workers

00:41:04and volunteer elections in our democracy.

00:41:07We are the ones to protect it.

00:41:09So I just want to say,

00:41:11I am so glad to be here in this room

00:41:13to be able to fight for our multiracial democracy.

00:41:16It is going to take all of us.

00:41:18Keep going.

00:41:23Thank you, Vanita.

00:41:25I now want to bring up my brother, Dilawar Saeed.

00:41:29You know, I could spend a whole hour

00:41:31introducing Dilawar,

00:41:33but he and I got to know each other

00:41:35quite a number of years ago,

00:41:37back, I think, back to 2006.

00:41:42We joined forces to basically do things together

00:41:47as Asian American and Pacific Islander as a group,

00:41:51as opposed to each diverse group separately,

00:41:54so that together we can have stronger forces.

00:41:58May I present to you

00:42:00the wonderful Dilawar Saeed.

00:42:05Thank you.

00:42:07Thank you so much, Bell,

00:42:09and thank you, Otto, and everyone.

00:42:11It's great to be here.

00:42:13Speaking of origins,

00:42:15today is the day 33 years ago

00:42:17I came to America from Pakistan as a steward.

00:42:20And I must tell you,

00:42:22I never imagined I'd be standing here at this stage

00:42:24speaking to AAPI leaders

00:42:26from across the country at a convention.

00:42:28Three decades later,

00:42:30a few of us got together in a boba tea shop,

00:42:33Sheikha, you remember, in L.A.,

00:42:35and we endorsed President Biden,

00:42:37January of 2020,

00:42:40and I answered the call to service.

00:42:43Now, I think many of you know

00:42:45my journey has been a hard one,

00:42:49not just the recent years,

00:42:51but also the aftermath of 9-11.

00:42:54And people often ask me,

00:42:55why you persisted?

00:42:59I persisted

00:43:01because our backgrounds,

00:43:04our ethnicities,

00:43:06our race, our faith

00:43:08should never, ever be a factor

00:43:10in what you get to do

00:43:12in this country of ours.

00:43:14And that's why I persisted.

00:43:16And I persisted

00:43:18because representation matters.

00:43:20You've heard it from my colleagues.

00:43:22It matters.

00:43:23We bring our lived experiences

00:43:25as Asian Americans,

00:43:27as entrepreneurs,

00:43:28as immigrants, as parents,

00:43:30and all of that helps us

00:43:32inform policy

00:43:34that better reflects

00:43:36the aspirations of our diverse country.

00:43:38Let me share with you

00:43:40a couple of words about the Vice President.

00:43:42I met the Vice President

00:43:44in San Francisco in 2009,

00:43:46early 2009.

00:43:48She was preparing to launch

00:43:50her campaign for

00:43:51Air Force One in California.

00:43:53And I was one of her first organizers

00:43:55in the tech community

00:43:57in Silicon Valley.

00:43:59And we went on to win,

00:44:01and I was advising her on tech policy.

00:44:03Just most recently,

00:44:05she asked me to join her

00:44:07when she visited Detroit,

00:44:09Michigan.

00:44:10I had a chance to spend some time

00:44:12with her on Air Force Two,

00:44:14which is very, very cool.

00:44:16She didn't have Air Force One.

00:44:18And watching her speak in Detroit

00:44:19reminded me of a conversation

00:44:21that I had with her recently

00:44:23during Ramadan in the White House

00:44:25that really, really showed her heart.

00:44:27And it reminded me

00:44:29why I got behind her

00:44:31all those years ago.

00:44:33I don't need to tell you

00:44:35that this Ramadan

00:44:37was a very difficult time

00:44:39for the Muslim community.

00:44:41Seeing images of death

00:44:43and destruction every day

00:44:45tore at all of us.

00:44:47And a few Muslim appointees

00:44:49asked the Vice President

00:44:51to open our fast.

00:44:53The way the VP came to us

00:44:55and spoke to us

00:44:58about the importance of serving

00:45:01and our work at this time,

00:45:04I would never forget.

00:45:06Her warmth,

00:45:08her compassion,

00:45:10and her humility

00:45:12is one that I cannot wait to see

00:45:15when she is our next president.

00:45:17So we are a margin of victory.

00:45:19We know this is a community,

00:45:21but it's going to take a lot of work.

00:45:23And someone who's been organizing,

00:45:25let me just remind you,

00:45:27there are a lot of folks

00:45:29that we still have to engage

00:45:31in our communities.

00:45:33So this will take all of our work

00:45:35to make sure we turn out the word

00:45:37and make sure that the Vice President

00:45:39and Governor Walz

00:45:41is our next president

00:45:43and Vice President of the United States.

00:45:45Thank you for having me

00:45:47and I would like to take

00:45:49a point of personal privilege

00:45:51to introduce my Lieutenant Governor,

00:45:53the pride of Maryland,

00:45:55Aruna Miller.

00:45:57Would you please come up?

00:46:09She's the first

00:46:11Asian-American Lieutenant Governor

00:46:13in Maryland

00:46:15and her administration

00:46:17has been a great success.

00:46:21Good morning, everyone.

00:46:23Again, my name is Aruna Miller

00:46:25and I come from

00:46:27the great state of Maryland.

00:46:29But first,

00:46:31I want to recognize

00:46:33this incredible leadership

00:46:35here at, you know, DNC.

00:46:37Can we just start

00:46:39with the Chair,

00:46:41Belle Leong Hong, right?

00:46:43Now what we say about Belle

00:46:45in the state of Maryland,

00:46:47she's just like our state,

00:46:49small but mighty

00:46:51and powerful, right?

00:46:53That's who she is.

00:46:55And I also want to thank

00:46:57Amy and Keith and Otto

00:46:59for all your leadership as well.

00:47:01Thank you, thank you so much.

00:47:03And thank you for every one of you

00:47:05that is here today.

00:47:07And yes, are we excited

00:47:09about Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?

00:47:11Yes, absolutely.

00:47:13Now everybody's sharing

00:47:15a story about Kamala Harris

00:47:17and it just happened last week.

00:47:19President Biden

00:47:21and Vice President Harris

00:47:22came to visit Maryland

00:47:24and they talked about

00:47:25how they are reducing

00:47:27the prescription drugs prices

00:47:29and all, right?

00:47:30So we were there at a rally

00:47:31and it was wonderful.

00:47:33I had an opportunity

00:47:34to stand in line

00:47:35and take a photo

00:47:36with the President

00:47:37and the Vice President.

00:47:39And any of you that's been

00:47:40in those photo lines,

00:47:41you know they give you

00:47:42five seconds, right?

00:47:43You go in there,

00:47:44you smile and you leave, right?

00:47:45So in this case,

00:47:46I went out

00:47:47and I said to the President,

00:47:48I said,

00:47:49Mr. President,

00:47:50today is my mom's birthday.

00:47:52And he looks at me

00:47:53and he goes,

00:47:54what's your mom's cell number?

00:47:56And I look back at him

00:47:57and I'm like,

00:47:58I have no idea

00:47:59because it's in my cell

00:48:01and I don't have my cell with me.

00:48:03You took it away from me.

00:48:04I didn't memorize

00:48:05my mom's number.

00:48:07Oh my God, shame on me, right?

00:48:09So I go rushing back.

00:48:11He tells his staff,

00:48:12why don't you get

00:48:13the LG's mom's number?

00:48:15But I go find my phone

00:48:17and I'm desperately,

00:48:18like I pick up the phone,

00:48:19I'm calling my mom

00:48:20in the back of the room

00:48:22and she's not picking up

00:48:23the phone, right?

00:48:25I'm like,

00:48:26oh my God,

00:48:27this is a horrible moment

00:48:28that she wouldn't pick up

00:48:29the phone.

00:48:30Call my daughter

00:48:31who happens to be visiting.

00:48:33She always picks up

00:48:34on the first ring.

00:48:35She doesn't pick up either,

00:48:37right?

00:48:38By the fifth ring,

00:48:39I'm about to hang up

00:48:40and in a breathless way,

00:48:42she picks up,

00:48:43she goes,

00:48:44I go,

00:48:45what do you want?

00:48:46I go,

00:48:47get Amma Ma.

00:48:48That's what we call

00:48:49grandma in India, right?

00:48:50And I go,

00:48:51where is she?

00:48:52And she goes,

00:48:53she's taking a shower.

00:48:55It's in the middle

00:48:56of the day.

00:48:57It's like one o'clock

00:48:58in the afternoon.

00:48:59My mom never does this.

00:49:01And I go,

00:49:02go get Amma Ma

00:49:03out of the shower

00:49:04right now.

00:49:07I go,

00:49:08but do not tell her

00:49:09that the President

00:49:10of the United States

00:49:11wants to wish

00:49:12her happy birthday.

00:49:14She goes over there.

00:49:15Literally,

00:49:16my mom is in the tub

00:49:17and she's like,

00:49:18Amma Ma,

00:49:19somebody wants

00:49:20to talk to you.

00:49:22And my mom's all confused.

00:49:24She gets on the phone

00:49:25and she's like,

00:49:26hello?

00:49:27And so,

00:49:28I'm rushing back

00:49:29to where the picture

00:49:30was taken

00:49:31and Secret Service

00:49:32is saying,

00:49:33ma'am,

00:49:34you're not allowed

00:49:35to go back.

00:49:36You can't go back.

00:49:37I said,

00:49:38no,

00:49:39you don't understand.

00:49:40The President

00:49:41and the Vice President

00:49:42said they want

00:49:43to wish you

00:49:44a happy birthday.

00:49:45So,

00:49:46he picks up the phone

00:49:47and he goes,

00:49:48hello,

00:49:49Hema,

00:49:50this is Joe Biden

00:49:51and I want to wish you

00:49:52a happy birthday.

00:49:54Right?

00:49:56But it gets better.

00:49:58So,

00:49:59my mom,

00:50:00then he puts her

00:50:01on the speaker.

00:50:02My mom,

00:50:03you could imagine,

00:50:04is a total hot mess

00:50:05at this point,

00:50:06right?

00:50:07She starts talking

00:50:08to him about

00:50:09reincarnation

00:50:10on the phone.

00:50:11And he's like,

00:50:12oh,

00:50:13Mr. President,

00:50:14you know,

00:50:15you and I

00:50:16must have known

00:50:17each other

00:50:18in our last life.

00:50:19That is why

00:50:20you're calling me.

00:50:21And I'm like,

00:50:22oh my God,

00:50:23what is she saying

00:50:24to the President

00:50:25right now?

00:50:26And then,

00:50:27Kamala gets on the phone

00:50:28and she's like,

00:50:29auntie,

00:50:30we just want to say

00:50:31it is so wonderful

00:50:32to see your daughter

00:50:33and how,

00:50:34you know,

00:50:35successful she's been.

00:50:37And my mom

00:50:38responds by saying,

00:50:39you are much

00:50:40much better.

00:50:41And I'm like,

00:50:42is this happening

00:50:43or what?

00:50:44And Vice President

00:50:45Harrison looks at me

00:50:46and she's like,

00:50:47I understand

00:50:48completely

00:50:49what you're

00:50:50going through.

00:50:51She knows

00:50:52our Asian parents,

00:50:53right?

00:50:54They want to make sure

00:50:55we keep elevating

00:50:56ourselves

00:50:57as much as we can.

00:50:58But I'm just

00:50:59sharing that

00:51:00story

00:51:01with you

00:51:02because I

00:51:03know

00:51:04that

00:51:05you

00:51:06are

00:51:07much

00:51:08better

00:51:09than

00:51:10I am.

00:51:11I'm just sharing

00:51:12that story

00:51:13and then it

00:51:14gets better.

00:51:15President Biden

00:51:16and Vice

00:51:17President

00:51:18Harris

00:51:19sing

00:51:20happy

00:51:21birthday

00:51:22to my

00:51:23mom.

00:51:24Everybody

00:51:25there.

00:51:26These are

00:51:27the type

00:51:28of individuals

00:51:29the two

00:51:30of them

00:51:31are.

00:51:32This is

00:51:33the type

00:51:34of individual

00:51:35Vice President

00:51:36Harris is.

00:51:37It's about

00:51:38a woman

00:51:39who is

00:51:40South

00:51:41Asian

00:51:42and

00:51:43Jamaican

00:51:44that is

00:51:45about

00:51:46to break

00:51:47some

00:51:48glass

00:51:49ceilings.

00:51:50That's who

00:51:51we're

00:51:52voting

00:51:53for.

00:51:54And I

00:51:55just want

00:51:56to say

00:51:57to every

00:51:58one of

00:51:59you,

00:52:00thank you

00:52:01for everything

00:52:02that you

00:52:03do in

00:52:04our great

00:52:05state.

00:52:06Thank you

00:52:07in the

00:52:08great states

00:52:09that you

00:52:10come from

00:52:11and our

00:52:12nation.

00:52:13And I

00:52:14just want to

00:52:15recognize a

00:52:16few people

00:52:17that have

00:52:18been battling

00:52:19this fight

00:52:20for all

00:52:21of us

00:52:22so they

00:52:23can elevate

00:52:24us.

00:52:25Let's give

00:52:26it up for

00:52:27her.

00:52:28Yes,

00:52:29she's been

00:52:30fighting the

00:52:31good fight.

00:52:32And

00:52:33to all

00:52:34of you,

00:52:35thank you.

00:52:36Okay?

00:52:37Thank you.

00:52:46May I

00:52:47now have the

00:52:48pleasure of

00:52:49bringing out

00:52:50B.D. Wong.

00:52:51Many of you

00:52:52know him as

00:52:53the Tony award

00:52:54winner

00:52:55and dream,

00:52:56the drama

00:52:57guest, and

00:52:58a lot

00:52:59of other

00:53:00awards that

00:53:01I don't

00:53:02think I have

00:53:03enough time

00:53:04to mention.

00:53:05but you also have seen him in many, many diverse roles.

00:53:09But more than that, he is an extremely active supporter

00:53:15of all of our courses and all our API community.

00:53:18Would you please come on up?

00:53:25And he's my cousin.

00:53:27I think we are cousins, but I'm going to call you Auntie Bell.

00:53:33Hi!

00:53:34Well, I can't compete with that story.

00:53:36I can't compete.

00:53:37But it did remind me very briefly of a story

00:53:40about my mom and Barack Obama.

00:53:43My mom and I were invited to the White House

00:53:45for the state dinner in 2013,

00:53:47and my mom got in her head

00:53:50that she wanted to bring Barack Obama

00:53:53Hawaiian terra chips that my uncle had made.

00:53:59She said, let's bring Barack these chips.

00:54:02And I said, Mother, you can't bring the President food.

00:54:07They'll never let you anywhere near the President with food.

00:54:10Anyway, my mother and I had an incredible trip

00:54:12to the White House one time in 2013,

00:54:14and that reminded me of that.

00:54:15Thank you very much.

00:54:16I am so really humbled and proud

00:54:20and amazed to be here with you all.

00:54:22The people in this room are doing all the good work

00:54:26and all the hard work, and I'm just me.

00:54:29But I'm happy to be here.

00:54:31I was invited as what's called

00:54:34an honored guest of the campaign,

00:54:36and I took the opportunity to have

00:54:39what I thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,

00:54:42and I was not wrong.

00:54:44Well, I'm never wrong, but that's...

00:54:46And I was not wrong.

00:54:47I mean, you all know.

00:54:49I went to bed last night thinking,

00:54:52what could I ever say to this group?

00:54:54What kind of remarks could I ever make here today

00:54:58that would compare to the majesty

00:55:02and the scope and the vision

00:55:04and the humor and the tenacity

00:55:08and all the incredible work that...

00:55:11We're halfway through, people.

00:55:13We're only halfway through this incredible experience,

00:55:16and the inspiration that I have personally gotten

00:55:19from the speakers and from people

00:55:21that I revere in my life,

00:55:24you know, these iconic people,

00:55:26is incredible,

00:55:28and we must use this whole time together

00:55:32to be extremely galvanized.

00:55:35I am also here as a representative

00:55:37of the candidate as a presidential surrogate,

00:55:40and I have toured this country

00:55:42going to visit volunteers

00:55:44all around in the swing states,

00:55:47and I am here to tell you

00:55:50that this race is incredibly close.

00:55:52We were in last Saturday in North Hills near Pittsburgh,

00:55:57where Biden won in 2020

00:56:00by an average of five votes per precinct,

00:56:03and this is the general gist

00:56:08of what my experience has been as a surrogate,

00:56:12going to these really narrow-margin places

00:56:15and watching these incredible volunteers

00:56:18more and more galvanized

00:56:20as the campaign has reached,

00:56:24you know, gained momentum,

00:56:26but nevertheless, they are dedicated

00:56:29and they are incredibly...

00:56:34They are just incredibly ready and willing

00:56:37and ready to do this work.

00:56:39Now, I am here also to say

00:56:41we are an incredibly interesting

00:56:45and influential community in this election.

00:56:50We are, of course, it's always been said,

00:56:53the fastest-growing group,

00:56:56and we are also poised

00:57:00to be very influential in this election,

00:57:03particularly in the swing states

00:57:05where there are Asian-American communities,

00:57:07Vegas and Virginia...

00:57:09I mean, not Vegas, but Nevada and Virginia in particular.

00:57:13And whatever it is that you're doing,

00:57:17we can, you know, do something,

00:57:19and when we fight, we win.

00:57:21These mantras, we must really take them to heart.

00:57:24I want to say one last thing

00:57:27that is really important to me.

00:57:29It's a small thing.

00:57:31It's not mentioned very often,

00:57:33and that is the...

00:57:35Well, first of all,

00:57:37in order to have a caucus at the DNC, right,

00:57:41you have to represent at least 2% of the constituency

00:57:44of the membership, right?

00:57:46And so we collectively,

00:57:48in all of our incredible nationalities

00:57:51and different cultures,

00:57:53come together.

00:57:55We are the Asian-American community,

00:57:57AANHPI community,

00:57:59and there are often kind of debates

00:58:02about how we feel diluted in our cultures

00:58:05and are being lumped together,

00:58:08but it is in these moments

00:58:10when we are the most powerful,

00:58:13when we are able to affect change

00:58:16through solidarity and through our numbers,

00:58:18and that we must embrace that,

00:58:20and we always must find our way

00:58:24to be individuals

00:58:26and to celebrate our individual cultures

00:58:28while we are doing that.

00:58:30Having said that,

00:58:32there is also something incredible happening,

00:58:35and that is that we have the...

00:58:37Oh, and by the way,

00:58:39the dream is not really happening on Thursday, Auntie Bell.

00:58:43The dream is happening in November,

00:58:46and we are making sure of that,

00:58:48and Thursday to me is the poetic representation

00:58:52of that dream happening, right?

00:58:55But that is the work that we need to do.

00:58:57But when that dream happens,

00:58:59it is the first woman,

00:59:01the first African-American,

00:59:03the first South Asian, Asian-American president,

00:59:07as we all know, as has been said many, many times.

00:59:10She is the representative,

00:59:13Vice President Harris is the representative

00:59:15of so many groups

00:59:18that have been underrepresented in our...

00:59:21have been underrepresented in our lives

00:59:25that it is really hard to continue to list them all,

00:59:28and I feel like...

00:59:31Well, let me just tell you where I'm coming from.

00:59:34At my son's bar mitzvah...

00:59:36My son is a multiracial kid,

00:59:38and at my son's bar mitzvah,

00:59:40I told him in front of everybody,

00:59:43you are not half of anything.

00:59:45You are all of everything.

00:59:47And so it is astonishing to me

00:59:55that we characterize her easily

00:59:57as the first black president,

00:59:59the first woman president.

01:00:01A lot of times the South Asian part,

01:00:03the Asian-American part gets left off the list,

01:00:07and we really need to own it,

01:00:10and we need to be really proud of it,

01:00:12and we need to perpetuate it

01:00:16and remind people that that is one of the major...

01:00:19That is an incredible thing,

01:00:21and I think in our kind of non-confrontational Asian-American-ness,

01:00:26we kind of like let it slide a little bit,

01:00:28but let's really lean into it.

01:00:31We're going to have a freaking Asian-American president.

01:00:41No less or no more than she is an African-American president.

01:00:45No less or no more.

01:00:47So let's make sure we celebrate that,

01:00:50and we let people know how we celebrate that,

01:00:52and we don't do that halfway.

01:00:54I thank you so much for having me here.

01:00:57I appreciate this whole thing of reconfiguring

01:01:01the order of the speakers here all day.

01:01:05It's like a Chinese wedding here.

01:01:07It's like crazy.

01:01:09And so I'm just...

01:01:11They've been apologetic about changing the order,

01:01:13and I'm just so thankful to be here.

01:01:15I don't care at all. It's just wonderful.

01:01:17Auntie Belle, you're doing incredible work.

01:01:19Love you all.

01:01:21Please do something.

01:01:24Do something.

01:01:31I'm going to ask the senior women panel to come up,

01:01:34but in the meantime, allow me to introduce my senator-to-be,

01:01:41Angela Alsobrook.

01:01:43She will say some very, very quick remarks.

01:01:47Thank you.

01:01:49Oh, it's still morning. Good morning, everyone.

01:01:52And I hope that the joy of last night is still with you.

01:01:58I want to thank Chair Leon Hong for inviting me this morning

01:02:02and thank her for all of her leadership.

01:02:04Thank all of you all as well.

01:02:06I also want to say to Senator Lamb good morning and thank him.

01:02:10You know, we are in a joyous time

01:02:12where Kamala Harris is bringing us together

01:02:15and reintroducing joy into our country

01:02:19and by extension also reintroducing the concept.

01:02:23I love what was just said a moment ago

01:02:25about us not being half of anything but all of everything.

01:02:28Isn't that true of all of us?

01:02:30And it is the very concept of inclusion and love

01:02:34and togetherness that really makes us who we are.

01:02:37And so in this moment, I am running for U.S. Senate

01:02:40in the state of Maryland.

01:02:42I'm so grateful to be able to represent

01:02:47what will become the 51st vote.

01:02:49We know that having the majority in the Senate

01:02:52is going to be especially important

01:02:54to be able to get our agenda across.

01:02:56We know that whoever has the majority

01:02:58controls the agenda for our country.

01:03:00Maryland is in play.

01:03:02We're very solidly one of the states

01:03:04that Mitch McConnell selected, believing that they can turn.

01:03:07So I thank you all for having me.

01:03:09I ask you so much for your support.

01:03:11And you know what? Let's go win.

01:03:13November 5th, we're going to be successful

01:03:15and move our country forward.

01:03:17Thank you.

01:03:24Next, I'm incredibly proud to introduce

01:03:27a panel of senior women,

01:03:31and they will senior in rank.

01:03:38I'm going to ask Erica Morisugu to be the lead in this,

01:03:43and I'm going to let her introduce the fireside chat.

01:04:13Thank you so much.

01:04:27Look at this gorgeous room.

01:04:29I forgot to say this.

01:04:31I'm so sorry.

01:04:33I'm Erica Morisugu.

01:04:35I'm a lifelong collector.

01:04:37I'm from Maryland, Hong Kong.

01:04:39I think we are all wonderful people.

01:04:42We are all curious about New York,

01:04:44or 3 o'clock in the morning,

01:04:46depending on whether or not

01:04:48you manage to catch a train.

01:04:50I think all of these ideas,

01:04:52and one of these ideas,

01:04:54that's actually a follow-on

01:04:56for the honor and privilege

01:04:58of being in this session

01:05:00with an extraordinary group

01:05:02of people from New York,

01:05:04and I'm going to introduce

01:05:06an extraordinary group of people

01:05:08from New York,

01:05:10and I'm going to introduce

01:05:12an extraordinary group of people

01:05:14from New York,

01:05:16and I'm going to introduce

01:05:18an extraordinary group of people

01:05:20from New York,

01:05:22and I'm going to introduce

01:05:24an extraordinary group of people

01:05:26from New York,

01:05:28and I'm going to introduce

01:05:30an extraordinary group of people

01:05:32from New York,

01:05:34and I'm going to introduce

01:05:36an extraordinary group of people

01:05:38from New York,

01:05:40and I'm going to introduce

01:05:42an extraordinary group of people

01:05:44from New York,

01:05:46and I'm going to introduce

01:05:48an extraordinary group of people

01:05:50from New York,

01:05:52and I'm going to introduce

01:05:54an extraordinary group of people

01:05:56from New York,

01:05:58and I'm going to introduce

01:06:00an extraordinary group of people

01:06:02from New York,

01:06:04and I'm going to introduce

01:06:06an extraordinary group of people

01:06:08from New York,

01:06:10and I'm going to introduce

01:06:12an extraordinary group of people

01:06:14from New York,

01:06:16and I'm going to introduce

01:06:18an extraordinary group of people

01:06:20from New York,

01:06:22and I'm going to introduce

01:06:24an extraordinary group of people

01:06:26from New York,

01:06:28and I'm going to introduce

01:06:30an extraordinary group of people

01:06:32from New York,

01:06:34and I'm going to introduce

01:06:36an extraordinary group of people

01:06:38from New York,

01:06:40and I'm going to introduce

01:06:42an extraordinary group of people

01:06:44from New York,

01:06:46and I'm going to introduce

01:06:48an extraordinary group of people

01:06:50from New York,

01:06:52and I'm going to introduce

01:06:54an extraordinary group of people

01:06:56from New York,

01:06:58and I'm going to introduce

01:07:00an extraordinary group of people

01:07:02from New York,

01:07:04and I'm going to introduce

01:07:06an extraordinary group of people

01:07:08from New York,

01:07:10and I'm going to introduce

01:07:12an extraordinary group of people

01:07:14from New York,

01:07:16and I'm going to introduce

01:07:18an extraordinary group of people

01:07:20from New York,

01:07:22and I'm going to introduce

01:07:24an extraordinary group of people

01:07:26from New York,

01:07:28and I'm going to introduce

01:07:30an extraordinary group of people

01:07:32from New York,

01:07:34and I'm going to introduce

01:07:36an extraordinary group of people

01:07:38from New York,

01:07:40and I'm going to introduce

01:07:42an extraordinary group of people

01:07:44from New York,

01:07:46and I'm going to introduce

01:07:48an extraordinary group of people

01:07:50from New York,

01:07:52and I'm going to introduce

01:07:54an extraordinary group of people

01:07:56from New York,

01:07:58and I'm going to introduce

01:08:00an extraordinary group of people

01:08:02from New York,

01:08:04and I'm going to introduce

01:08:06an extraordinary group of people

01:08:08from New York,

01:08:10and I'm going to introduce

01:08:12an extraordinary group of people

01:08:14from New York,

01:08:16and I'm going to introduce

01:08:18an extraordinary group of people

01:08:20from New York,

01:08:22and I'm going to introduce

01:08:24an extraordinary group of people

01:08:26from New York,

01:08:28and I'm going to introduce

01:08:30an extraordinary group of people

01:08:32from New York,

01:08:34and I'm going to introduce

01:08:36an extraordinary group of people

01:08:38from New York,

01:08:40and I'm going to introduce

01:08:42an extraordinary group of people

01:08:44from New York,

01:08:46and I'm going to introduce

01:08:48an extraordinary group of people

01:08:50from New York,

01:08:52and I'm going to introduce

01:08:54an extraordinary group of people

01:08:56from New York,

01:08:58and I'm going to introduce

01:09:00an extraordinary group of people

01:09:02from New York,

01:09:04and I'm going to introduce

01:09:06an extraordinary group of people

01:09:08from New York,

01:09:10and I'm going to introduce

01:09:12an extraordinary group of people

01:09:14from New York,

01:09:16and I'm going to introduce

01:09:18an extraordinary group of people

01:09:20from New York,

01:09:22and I'm going to introduce

01:09:24an extraordinary group of people

01:09:26from New York,

01:09:28and I'm going to introduce

01:09:30an extraordinary group of people

01:09:32from New York,

01:09:34and I'm going to introduce

01:09:36an extraordinary group of people

01:09:38from New York,

01:09:40and I'm going to introduce

01:09:42an extraordinary group of people

01:09:44from New York,

01:09:46and I'm going to introduce

01:09:48an extraordinary group of people

01:09:50from New York,

01:09:52and I'm going to introduce

01:09:54an extraordinary group of people

01:09:56from New York,

01:09:58and I'm going to introduce

01:10:00an extraordinary group of people

01:10:02from New York,

01:10:04and I'm going to introduce

01:10:06an extraordinary group of people

01:10:08from New York,

01:10:10and I'm going to introduce

01:10:12an extraordinary group of people

01:10:14from New York,

01:10:16and I'm going to introduce

01:10:18an extraordinary group of people

01:10:20from New York,

01:10:22and I'm going to introduce

01:10:24an extraordinary group of people

01:10:26from New York,

01:10:28and I'm going to introduce

01:10:30an extraordinary group of people

01:10:32from New York,

01:10:34and I'm going to introduce

01:10:36an extraordinary group of people

01:10:38from New York,

01:10:40and I'm going to introduce

01:10:42an extraordinary group of people

01:10:44from New York,

01:10:46and I'm going to introduce

01:10:48an extraordinary group of people

01:10:50from New York,

01:10:52and I'm going to introduce

01:10:54an extraordinary group of people

01:10:56from New York,

01:10:58and I'm going to introduce

01:11:00an extraordinary group of people

01:11:02from New York,

01:11:04and I'm going to introduce

01:11:06an extraordinary group of people

01:11:08from New York,

01:11:10and I'm going to introduce

01:11:12an extraordinary group of people

01:11:14from New York,

01:11:16and I'm going to introduce

01:11:18an extraordinary group of people

01:11:20from New York,

01:11:22and I'm going to introduce

01:11:24an extraordinary group of people

01:11:26from New York,

01:11:28and I'm going to introduce

01:11:30an extraordinary group of people

01:11:32from New York,

01:11:34and I'm going to introduce

01:11:36an extraordinary group of people

01:11:38from New York,

01:11:40and I'm going to introduce

01:11:42an extraordinary group of people

01:11:44from New York,

01:11:46and I'm going to introduce

01:11:48an extraordinary group of people

01:11:50from New York,

01:11:52and I'm going to introduce

01:11:54an extraordinary group of people

01:11:56from New York,

01:11:58and I'm going to introduce

01:12:00an extraordinary group of people

01:12:02from New York,

01:12:04and I'm going to introduce

01:12:06an extraordinary group of people

01:12:08from New York,

01:12:10and I'm going to introduce

01:12:12an extraordinary group of people

01:12:14from New York,

01:12:16and I'm going to introduce

01:12:18an extraordinary group of people

01:12:20from New York,

01:12:22and I'm going to introduce

01:12:24an extraordinary group of people

01:12:26from New York,

01:12:28and I'm going to introduce

01:12:30an extraordinary group of people

01:12:32from New York,

01:12:34and I'm going to introduce

01:12:36an extraordinary group of people

01:12:38from New York,

01:12:40and I'm going to introduce

01:12:42an extraordinary group of people

01:12:44from New York,

01:12:46and I'm going to introduce

01:12:48an extraordinary group of people

01:12:50from New York,

01:12:52and I'm going to introduce

01:12:54an extraordinary group of people

01:12:56from New York,

01:12:58and I'm going to introduce

01:13:00an extraordinary group of people

01:13:02from New York,

01:13:04and I'm going to introduce

01:13:06an extraordinary group of people

01:13:08from New York,

01:13:10and I'm going to introduce

01:13:12an extraordinary group of people

01:13:14from New York,

01:13:16and I'm going to introduce

01:13:18an extraordinary group of people

01:13:20from New York,

01:13:22and I'm going to introduce

01:13:24an extraordinary group of people

01:13:26from New York,

01:13:28and I'm going to introduce

01:13:30an extraordinary group of people

01:13:32from New York,

01:13:34and I'm going to introduce

01:13:36an extraordinary group of people

01:13:38from New York,

01:13:40and I'm going to introduce

01:13:42an extraordinary group of people

01:13:44from New York,

01:13:46and I'm going to introduce

01:13:48an extraordinary group of people

01:13:50from New York,

01:13:52and I'm going to introduce

01:13:54an extraordinary group of people

01:13:56from New York,

01:13:58and I'm going to introduce

01:14:00an extraordinary group of people

01:14:02from New York,

01:14:04and I'm going to introduce

01:14:06an extraordinary group of people

01:14:08from New York,

01:14:10and I'm going to introduce

01:14:12an extraordinary group of people

01:14:14from New York,

01:14:16and I'm going to introduce

01:14:18an extraordinary group of people

01:14:20from New York,

01:14:22and I'm going to introduce

01:14:24an extraordinary group of people

01:14:26from New York,

01:14:28and I'm going to introduce

01:14:30an extraordinary group of people

01:14:32from New York,

01:14:34and I'm going to introduce

01:14:36an extraordinary group of people

01:14:38from New York,

01:14:40and I'm going to introduce

01:14:42an extraordinary group of people

01:14:44from New York,

01:14:46and I'm going to introduce

01:14:48an extraordinary group of people

01:14:50from New York,

01:14:52and I'm going to introduce

01:14:54an extraordinary group of people

01:14:56from New York,

01:14:58and I'm going to introduce

01:15:00an extraordinary group of people

01:15:02from New York,

01:15:04and I'm going to introduce

01:15:06an extraordinary group of people

01:15:08from New York,

01:15:10and I'm going to introduce

01:15:12an extraordinary group of people

01:15:14from New York,

01:15:16and I'm going to introduce

01:15:18an extraordinary group of people

01:15:20from New York,

01:15:22and I'm going to introduce

01:15:24an extraordinary group of people

01:15:26from New York,

01:15:28and I'm going to introduce

01:15:30an extraordinary group of people

01:15:32from New York,

01:15:34and I'm going to introduce

01:15:36an extraordinary group of people

01:15:38from New York,

01:15:40and I'm going to introduce

01:15:42an extraordinary group of people

01:15:44from New York,

01:15:46and I'm going to introduce

01:15:48an extraordinary group of people

01:15:50from New York,

01:15:52and I'm going to introduce

01:15:54an extraordinary group of people

01:15:56from New York,

01:15:58and I'm going to introduce

01:16:00an extraordinary group of people

01:16:02from New York,

01:16:04and I'm going to introduce

01:16:06an extraordinary group of people

01:16:08from New York,

01:16:10and I'm going to introduce

01:16:12an extraordinary group of people

01:16:14from New York,

01:16:16and I'm going to introduce

01:16:18an extraordinary group of people

01:16:20from New York,

01:16:22and I'm going to introduce

01:16:24an extraordinary group of people

01:16:26from New York,

01:16:28and I'm going to introduce

01:16:30an extraordinary group of people

01:16:32from New York,

01:16:34and I'm going to introduce

01:16:36an extraordinary group of people

01:16:38from New York,

01:16:40and I'm going to introduce

01:16:42an extraordinary group of people

01:16:44from New York,

01:16:46and I'm going to introduce

01:16:48an extraordinary group of people

01:16:50from New York,

01:16:52and I'm going to introduce

01:16:54an extraordinary group of people

01:16:56from New York,

01:16:58and I'm going to introduce

01:17:00an extraordinary group of people

01:17:02from New York,

01:17:04and I'm going to introduce

01:17:06an extraordinary group of people

01:17:08from New York,

01:17:10and I'm going to introduce

01:17:12an extraordinary group of people

01:17:14from New York,

01:17:16and I'm going to introduce

01:17:18an extraordinary group of people

01:17:20from New York,

01:17:22and I'm going to introduce

01:17:24an extraordinary group of people

01:17:26from New York,

01:17:28and I'm going to introduce

01:17:30an extraordinary group of people

01:17:32from New York,

01:17:34and I'm going to introduce

01:17:36an extraordinary group of people

01:17:38from New York,

01:17:40and I'm going to introduce

01:17:42an extraordinary group of people

01:17:44from New York,

01:17:46and I'm going to introduce

01:17:48an extraordinary group of people

01:17:50from New York,

01:17:52and I'm going to introduce

01:17:54an extraordinary group of people

01:17:56from New York,

01:17:58and I'm going to introduce

01:18:00an extraordinary group of people

01:18:02from New York,

01:18:04and I'm going to introduce

01:18:06an extraordinary group of people

01:18:08from New York,

01:18:10and I'm going to introduce

01:18:12an extraordinary group of people

01:18:14from New York,

01:18:16and I'm going to introduce

01:18:18an extraordinary group of people

01:18:20from New York,

01:18:22and I'm going to introduce

01:18:24an extraordinary group of people

01:18:26from New York,

01:18:28and I'm going to introduce

01:18:30an extraordinary group of people

01:18:32from New York,

01:18:34and I'm going to introduce

01:18:36an extraordinary group of people

01:18:38from New York,

01:18:40and I'm going to introduce

01:18:42an extraordinary group of people

01:18:44from New York,

01:18:46and I'm going to introduce

01:18:48an extraordinary group of people

01:18:50from New York,

01:18:52and I'm going to introduce

01:18:54an extraordinary group of people

01:18:56from New York,

01:18:58and I'm going to introduce

01:19:00an extraordinary group of people

01:19:02from New York,

01:19:04and I'm going to introduce

01:19:06an extraordinary group of people

01:19:08from New York,

01:19:10and I'm going to introduce

01:19:12an extraordinary group of people

01:19:14from New York,

01:19:16and I'm going to introduce

01:19:18an extraordinary group of people

01:19:20from New York,

01:19:22and I'm going to introduce

01:19:24an extraordinary group of people

01:19:26from New York,

01:19:28and I'm going to introduce

01:19:30an extraordinary group of people

01:19:32from New York,

01:19:34and I'm going to introduce

01:19:36an extraordinary group of people

01:19:38from New York,

01:19:40and I'm going to introduce

01:19:42an extraordinary group of people

01:19:44from New York,

01:19:46and I'm going to introduce

01:19:48an extraordinary group of people

01:19:50from New York,

01:19:52and I'm going to introduce

01:19:54an extraordinary group of people

01:19:56from New York,

01:19:58and I'm going to introduce

01:20:00an extraordinary group of people

01:20:02from New York,

01:20:04and I'm going to introduce

01:20:06an extraordinary group of people

01:20:08from New York,

01:20:10and I'm going to introduce

01:20:12an extraordinary group of people

01:20:14from New York,

01:20:16and I'm going to introduce

01:20:18an extraordinary group of people

01:20:20from New York,

01:20:22and I'm going to introduce

01:20:24an extraordinary group of people

01:20:26from New York,

01:20:28and I'm going to introduce

01:20:30an extraordinary group of people

01:20:32from New York,

01:20:34and I'm going to introduce

01:20:36an extraordinary group of people

01:20:38from New York,

01:20:40and I'm going to introduce

01:20:42an extraordinary group of people

01:20:44from New York,

01:20:46and I'm going to introduce

01:20:48an extraordinary group of people

01:20:50from New York,

01:20:52and I'm going to introduce

01:20:54an extraordinary group of people

01:20:56from New York,

01:20:58and I'm going to introduce

01:21:00an extraordinary group of people

01:21:02from New York,

01:21:04and I'm going to introduce

01:21:06an extraordinary group of people

01:21:08from New York,

01:21:10and I'm going to introduce

01:21:12an extraordinary group of people

01:21:14from New York,

01:21:16and I'm going to introduce

01:21:18an extraordinary group of people

01:21:20from New York,

01:21:22and I'm going to introduce

01:21:24an extraordinary group of people

01:21:26from New York,

01:21:28and I'm going to introduce

01:21:30an extraordinary group of people

01:21:32from New York,

01:21:34and I'm going to introduce

01:21:36an extraordinary group of people

01:21:38from New York,

01:21:40and I'm going to introduce

01:21:42an extraordinary group of people

01:21:44from New York,

01:21:46and I'm going to introduce

01:21:48an extraordinary group of people

01:21:50from New York,

01:21:52and I'm going to introduce

01:21:54an extraordinary group of people

01:21:56from New York,

01:21:58and I'm going to introduce

01:22:00an extraordinary group of people

01:22:02from New York,

01:22:04and I'm going to introduce

01:22:06an extraordinary group of people

01:22:08from New York,

01:22:10and I'm going to introduce

01:22:12an extraordinary group of people

01:22:14from New York,

01:22:16and I'm going to introduce

01:22:18an extraordinary group of people

01:22:20from New York,

01:22:22and I'm going to introduce

01:22:24an extraordinary group of people

01:22:26from New York,

01:22:28and I'm going to introduce

01:22:30an extraordinary group of people

01:22:32from New York,

01:22:34and I'm going to introduce

01:22:36an extraordinary group of people

01:22:38from New York,

01:22:40and I'm going to introduce

01:22:42an extraordinary group of people

01:22:44from New York,

01:22:46and I'm going to introduce

01:22:48an extraordinary group of people

01:22:50from New York,

01:22:52and I'm going to introduce

01:22:54an extraordinary group of people

01:22:56from New York,

01:22:58and I'm going to introduce

01:23:00an extraordinary group of people

01:23:02from New York,

01:23:04and I'm going to introduce

01:23:06an extraordinary group of people

01:23:08from New York,

01:23:10and I'm going to introduce

01:23:12an extraordinary group of people

01:23:14from New York,

01:23:16and I'm going to introduce

01:23:18an extraordinary group of people

01:23:20from New York,

01:23:22and I'm going to introduce

01:23:24an extraordinary group of people

01:23:26from New York,

01:23:28and I'm going to introduce

01:23:30an extraordinary group of people

01:23:32from New York,

01:23:34and I'm going to introduce

01:23:36an extraordinary group of people

01:23:38from New York,

01:23:40and I'm going to introduce

01:23:42an extraordinary group of people

01:23:44from New York,

01:23:46and I'm going to introduce

01:23:48an extraordinary group of people

01:23:50from New York,

01:23:52and I'm going to introduce

01:23:54an extraordinary group of people

01:23:56from New York,

01:23:58and I'm going to introduce

01:24:00an extraordinary group of people

01:24:02from New York,

01:24:04and I'm going to introduce

01:24:06an extraordinary group of people

01:24:08from New York,

01:24:10and I'm going to introduce

01:24:12an extraordinary group of people

01:24:14from New York,

01:24:16and I'm going to introduce

01:24:18an extraordinary group of people

01:24:20from New York,

01:24:22and I'm going to introduce

01:24:24an extraordinary group of people

01:24:26from New York,

01:24:28and I'm going to introduce

01:24:30an extraordinary group of people

01:24:32from New York,

01:24:34and I'm going to introduce

01:24:36an extraordinary group of people

01:24:38from New York,

01:24:40and I'm going to introduce

01:24:42an extraordinary group of people

01:24:44from New York,

01:24:46and I'm going to introduce

01:24:48an extraordinary group of people

01:24:50from New York,

01:24:52and I'm going to introduce

01:24:54an extraordinary group of people

01:24:56from New York,

01:24:58and I'm going to introduce

01:25:00an extraordinary group of people

01:25:02from New York,

01:25:04and I'm going to introduce

01:25:06an extraordinary group of people

01:25:08from New York,

01:25:10and I'm going to introduce

01:25:12an extraordinary group of people

01:25:14from New York,

01:25:16and I'm going to introduce

01:25:18an extraordinary group of people

01:25:20from New York,

01:25:22and I'm going to introduce

01:25:24an extraordinary group of people

01:25:26from New York,

01:25:28and I'm going to introduce

01:25:30an extraordinary group of people

01:25:32from New York,

01:25:34and I'm going to introduce

01:25:36an extraordinary group of people

01:25:38from New York,

01:25:40and I'm going to introduce

01:25:42an extraordinary group of people

01:25:44from New York,

01:25:46and I'm going to introduce

01:25:48an extraordinary group of people

01:25:50from New York,

01:25:52and I'm going to introduce

01:25:54an extraordinary group of people

01:25:56from New York,

01:25:58and I'm going to introduce

01:26:00an extraordinary group of people

01:26:02from New York,

01:26:04and I'm going to introduce

01:26:06an extraordinary group of people

01:26:08from New York,

01:26:10and I'm going to introduce

01:26:12an extraordinary group of people

01:26:14from New York,

01:26:16and I'm going to introduce

01:26:18an extraordinary group of people

01:26:20from New York,

01:26:22and I'm going to introduce

01:26:24an extraordinary group of people

01:26:26from New York,

01:26:28and I'm going to introduce

01:26:30an extraordinary group of people

01:26:32from New York,

01:26:34and I'm going to introduce

01:26:36an extraordinary group of people

01:26:38from New York,

01:26:40and I'm going to introduce

01:26:42an extraordinary group of people

01:26:44from New York,

01:26:46and I'm going to introduce

01:26:48an extraordinary group of people

01:26:50from New York,

01:26:52and I'm going to introduce

01:26:54an extraordinary group of people

01:26:56from New York,

01:26:58and I'm going to introduce

01:27:00an extraordinary group of people

01:27:02from New York,

01:27:04New York,

01:27:06New York,

01:27:08New York.

01:27:22Thank you to these amazing ladies.

01:27:24Thank you to these amazing ladies.

01:27:26I can't say their titles,

01:27:28but they're the highest ranking women

01:27:30in our administration, and we're so delighted

01:27:32that we had the opportunity to talk to them.

01:27:35Next, I'd like to bring up Malik Pancholi.

01:27:38Very, very quick introduction.

01:27:44Malik is an award-winning actor, author, and activist.

01:27:48He's a long-time advocate for the Asian American

01:27:51and Pacific Islander LGBTQIA communities,

01:27:56plus community.

01:27:57He's a co-founder of the anti-bullying nonprofit

01:28:02Act to Change organization, and a very, very dear friend.

01:28:05Please come on up, Malik.

01:28:07Malik, thank you.

01:28:10Probably this is the quickest introduction you've ever had.

01:28:14Thank you.

01:28:15Hi, everyone.

01:28:17First of all, thank you so much, Bell,

01:28:20for inviting me to be a part of this.

01:28:21I have been so inspired.

01:28:22You all, Ambassador Tai, if you're still here,

01:28:25this is my first convention as well.

01:28:28How many people are here for the first time?

01:28:31I am exhausted.

01:28:32I am so energized.

01:28:34Listen, I'm going to keep this brief,

01:28:37and hopefully really personal.

01:28:39As an actor, as an author, as an activist,

01:28:43I think of myself as a storyteller.

01:28:46And I know that having our stories in the world

01:28:49fosters belonging.

01:28:51It cements the idea that our story is the American story.

01:28:56I have been immersed in anti-bullying work

01:28:59for Asian-American and Pacific Islander youth

01:29:01for nearly a decade now.

01:29:03I can tell you firsthand that the Trump administration's

01:29:07anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, anti-Asian-American

01:29:10and Pacific Islander rhetoric and policies,

01:29:13they told a story too.

01:29:14That story was that we do not belong, that we are other.

01:29:18And what did we see because of that?

01:29:20We saw a huge uprise in violence, bullying, and hate

01:29:25towards our communities.

01:29:26We are not going back to that.

01:29:28I am now the author of two novels for young readers,

01:29:36The Best at It and Nikhil Out Loud.

01:29:39So I am literally putting our stories into the world.

01:29:43Both of my novels feature South Asian-American

01:29:46LGBTQ teens as lead characters.

01:29:50These are the books that I never had as a kid

01:29:52when I was growing up and I needed so desperately.

01:29:55And my greatest joy is that both of these books

01:29:56are now part of school curriculums

01:29:59all across this country.

01:30:01Thank you, thank you.

01:30:02But they have also been banned in many parts of this country

01:30:08simply for featuring LGBTQ AAPI characters as lead characters.

01:30:15Recently, a school board in Pennsylvania

01:30:18voted nine to zero to cancel my visit

01:30:23to a school in their district.

01:30:26Thank you.

01:30:27That meeting was recorded.

01:30:31It caught them saying, he's a homosexual.

01:30:35We don't want his lifestyle in our school.

01:30:38And this is verbatim.

01:30:41He talks about anti-bullying, empathy, and inclusion.

01:30:46And that's what's concerning.

01:30:50You can imagine where these board members lay politically.

01:30:53One of them was Moms for Liberty.

01:30:56But here's my takeaway for all of you.

01:30:59When that community heard these words,

01:31:021,000 people showed up to the next school board meeting.

01:31:06And after six emotional hours, they

01:31:09forced that board to reverse its decision.

01:31:11It was a narrow margin of victory, five to four.

01:31:17But they did it.

01:31:18These were some of the same people

01:31:20who had voted this school board into place in the first place.

01:31:23But when they were an informed electorate,

01:31:27they made their voices heard.

01:31:29So here's my takeaway.

01:31:31We are the margin of victory in this election.

01:31:34We can inform our friends and our family

01:31:38about what is at stake in this election,

01:31:40not only for the presidency, but at the state and local level

01:31:44as well.

01:31:45Vice President Harris has spoken out

01:31:47against the banning of books.

01:31:49She believes our stories belong in schools.

01:31:52She is fighting for women's rights, for AAPI rights,

01:31:56for LGBTQ rights.

01:31:57A Harris-Waltz presidency ensures

01:31:59that our story continues to be the American story.

01:32:05Thank you all for letting me be here today.

01:32:07Thank you, Doc.

01:32:08Thank you.

01:32:11Thank you.

01:32:13Thank you all.

01:32:14And thank you all for your patience and your endurance.

01:32:18Next, I would like to bring up Irene Natividad and the panel

01:32:23on money.

01:32:25Irene is the, I shouldn't have to read her bio, but quickly,

01:32:32is a recognized leader for women in the United States

01:32:38and globally, chair of the Globe Women Research

01:32:41and Education Institute.

01:32:42Most importantly, she's my friend.

01:32:44There you go.

01:32:45Bye.

01:32:46Bye.

01:32:47Bye.

01:32:48We need to vote.

01:32:49We need to be your friends.

01:32:52Thank you, Bill.

01:32:53Thank you.

01:32:54Wonderful.

01:32:55Wonderful program.

01:32:56Thank you.

01:32:58When we talk money, the room empties.

01:33:03Please, everybody, take your seat while they are making

01:33:07themselves comfortable at the table.

01:33:10Let me just say, this is my 10th convention.

01:33:15My first one was in 1984, which was the first time

01:33:23that the Asia Pacific Caucus had a presence at the convention

01:33:31that we fought for.

01:33:34Geraldine Ferraro said hello to 30 of us who formed

01:33:40the caucus at that time for which I served as vice chair.

01:33:44This now has grown thanks to Mabel.

01:33:48Not all of you are in this room, but for those

01:33:51of you who are in this room, thank you.

01:33:53You are the ones who make the votes happen

01:33:57and you are the ones who make the money happen.

01:34:00But today, I want to introduce to you and to hear from

01:34:06the three organized and probably the largest

01:34:10political action committees that have made

01:34:14our financial presence happen.

01:34:18And you say, well, why is that important?

01:34:20Because money is the mother's milk of politics.

01:34:24And if you think you're going to run for office

01:34:27or get the vote out or print messages without money,

01:34:31then you're not in the right place.

01:34:34So, let me begin.

01:34:37From the farthest right, I have Albert Shin,

01:34:41who is the chairman of Asian American Action Fund,

01:34:46who is now over 30 years old.

01:34:49I mean, people don't realize that.

01:34:5130 years old.

01:34:52He is from Texas and he also, in his other life,

01:34:57does business development for Verizon.

01:35:00Next to him, somebody many of you also probably know well,

01:35:04Shekhar.

01:35:05We only say Shekhar.

01:35:06Forget the rest.

01:35:09He is the founder and chairman of Impact.

01:35:14And he has worked...

01:35:18Sorry.

01:35:19Hungover.

01:35:25Shekhar is the head of the Multi-Layered Victory Fund

01:35:30that many of you have heard from.

01:35:33He is CEO of his own company.

01:35:36He heads up an investment fund.

01:35:40His biggest passion is affordable housing,

01:35:45to which he has dedicated himself.

01:35:48And then next to him is Deepak Raj,

01:35:52who is the founder and chair of Impact.

01:35:56Yes.

01:35:57He also heads up this other council.

01:36:04It is the Center for Economic Policy at Columbia University,

01:36:09which he and his wife founded together.

01:36:13So, please welcome this group.

01:36:16First, would you welcome them, please?

01:36:24And each, in turn, will tell you briefly,

01:36:27gentlemen, say what is unique about each of your

01:36:30political action committees.

01:36:32And we'll begin with Al at the end.

01:37:02There is going to be an amendment,

01:37:04such as the 13th of May.

01:37:06You did hear from Ben Flanagan earlier,

01:37:08who is in Colorado.

01:37:10We're also going to have a vote.

01:37:11We can't think of a lot of evidence.

01:37:13It's been, there is a trend, and backing.

01:37:15So, these are the issues that we want to consider

01:37:18within the Congress, and actually move forward.

01:37:21And we're going to support that.

01:37:23That is part of the agenda.

01:37:27We have a board member throughout the country,

01:37:30some are on the Republican side,

01:37:32some are on the Democratic side.

01:37:34Some are actually in Hawaii, Washington State,

01:37:38Ohio, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and so on.

01:37:48But, Senator Elyse, you know,

01:37:50what's wonderful about this, what we have,

01:37:53is none of these tend to go down the path

01:37:57of not doing something that looks like this.

01:38:00This is something you don't know.

01:38:03And so, if your answer is,

01:38:05you haven't given it enough thought,

01:38:07here you go.

01:38:09The next step, the reason for that,

01:38:12I'm a big fan of the AAPI,

01:38:15a big fan of the AARC team,

01:38:17and I think there's a complex in the sense

01:38:20that it's a simple fact, it seems,

01:38:22that the country goes to 10 days

01:38:25to get an election,

01:38:27and it depends on the candidate,

01:38:29who runs for the team,

01:38:31you know, it might be four,

01:38:33but it depends on the candidate,

01:38:35and it can't be at home,

01:38:36depending upon which district you're in.

01:38:40Nine years ago,

01:38:41one of the inspirations for me,

01:38:43was because the theory was,

01:38:46that in the United States,

01:38:48while we were, I think it was,

01:38:50growing at a facility,

01:38:52and doing well in the profession,

01:38:54when I was actually involved

01:38:56in a political,

01:38:57and the simple truth was,

01:38:59that in 2016,

01:39:00versus the general population

01:39:02of the United States,

01:39:03AAPI was only at 49% of registered voters,

01:39:07and as well as more than 50%.

01:39:09That was a 15 point gap

01:39:10for all of us,

01:39:11not the official,

01:39:12at the end of the year.

01:39:14That gap has narrowed six points,

01:39:17in 2020,

01:39:18because of the great organizing work

01:39:20of the guys in Donald Trump,

01:39:23the fact that we woke up our community

01:39:25to the threat,

01:39:26we woke up our community to the hate,

01:39:28we woke up our community to the fact

01:39:30that government makes a difference in their lives,

01:39:33and it can make a difference

01:39:34in the children's and grandchildren's lives.

01:39:37We are spending our energy this cycle,

01:39:41specifically working for,

01:39:43if we have a box ticket,

01:39:45and against Donald Trump,

01:39:47between Michigan and Georgia,

01:39:49and our focus is on,

01:39:51therefore,

01:39:52if you look at total AAPI,

01:39:54for each of the seven states

01:39:56that matter,

01:39:57that is our state,

01:39:58it's about 1.75 million,

01:40:01that's about 1.43 million

01:40:03that's already registered,

01:40:05and roughly 200,000

01:40:07that are eligible to vote

01:40:08that are not registered.

01:40:10If we were to increase our numbers,

01:40:13that we're already growing nationally

01:40:15by a million and a half,

01:40:16each of the states that matter,

01:40:18we can actually increase our vote

01:40:20by 250,000

01:40:21from 2020 to 2024.

01:40:24What does that mean?

01:40:26We should know that Biden won

01:40:28six of those seven states

01:40:29by a margin of 280,000.

01:40:32He should only have won

01:40:33three of those states,

01:40:34Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia,

01:40:37by a grand total of 45,000 states.

01:40:40We have more allegations alone

01:40:44that represent a margin of victory.

01:40:46We have enough AAPIs

01:40:48that people often don't realize

01:40:50that we can defend.

01:40:52Bottom line, I'd like to say,

01:40:54and I'm very blunt,

01:40:55we are no longer the margin of victory.

01:40:57We are the reason for victory.

01:41:00Thank you.

01:41:05Thank you, Fisher.

01:41:06Good luck.

01:41:07Thank you, Fisher.

01:41:08So,

01:41:09I co-founded this band

01:41:11about two and a half years ago.

01:41:15And,

01:41:18obviously,

01:41:19there's a gap

01:41:20between

01:41:23my views and

01:41:24having my students

01:41:25or my co-founders

01:41:27have their views.

01:41:29The reason why there's a gap

01:41:31in the

01:41:34success of communities

01:41:35that have

01:41:36wonderful representation

01:41:38in the public.

01:41:40And,

01:41:41how do we fix that gap?

01:41:44And,

01:41:45I've talked to many, many people.

01:41:46Many, many people have heard from today.

01:41:48They were very concerned.

01:41:49They have tried this.

01:41:50They have tried this.

01:41:51And,

01:41:52we have sent them.

01:41:53I've sent people off.

01:41:54I've sent people off.

01:41:55I've sent people off.

01:41:56I've sent people off.

01:41:57I've sent people off.

01:41:58I've sent people off.

01:41:59I've sent people off.

01:42:00I've sent people off.

01:42:01I've sent people off.

01:42:02I've sent people off.

01:42:03I've sent people off.

01:42:04I've sent people off.

01:42:05I've sent people off.

01:42:06I've sent people off.

01:42:07I've sent people off.

01:42:08I've sent people off.

01:42:09I've sent people off.

01:42:10I've sent people off.

01:42:11I've sent people off.

01:42:12I've sent people off.

01:42:13I've sent people off.

01:42:14I've sent people off.

01:42:15I've sent people off.

01:42:16I've sent people off.

01:42:17I've sent people off.

01:42:18I've sent people off.

01:42:19I've sent people off.

01:42:20I've sent people off.

01:42:21I've sent people off.

01:42:22I've sent people off.

01:42:23I've sent people off.

01:42:24I've sent people off.

01:42:25I've sent people off.

01:42:26I've sent people off.

01:42:27I've sent people off.

01:42:28I've sent people off.

01:42:29I've sent people off.

01:42:30I've sent people off.

01:42:31I've sent people off.

01:42:32I've sent people off.

01:42:33I've sent people off.

01:42:34I've sent people off.

01:42:35I've sent people off.

01:42:36I've sent people off.

01:42:37I've sent people off.

01:42:38I've sent people off.

01:42:39I've sent people off.

01:42:40I've sent people off.

01:42:41I've sent people off.

01:42:42I've sent people off.

01:42:43I've sent people off.

01:42:44I've sent people off.

01:42:45I've sent people off.

01:42:46I've sent people off.

01:42:47I've sent people off.

01:42:48I've sent people off.

01:42:49I've sent people off.

01:42:50I've sent people off.

01:42:51I've sent people off.

01:42:52I've sent people off.

01:42:53I've sent people off.

01:42:54I've sent people off.

01:42:55I've sent people off.

01:42:56I've sent people off.

01:42:57I've sent people off.

01:42:58I've sent people off.

01:42:59I've sent people off.

01:43:00I've sent people off.

01:43:01I've sent people off.

01:43:02I've sent people off.

01:43:03I've sent people off.

01:43:04I've sent people off.

01:43:05I've sent people off.

01:43:06I've sent people off.

01:43:07I've sent people off.

01:43:08I've sent people off.

01:43:09I've sent people off.

01:43:10I've sent people off.

01:43:11I've sent people off.

01:43:12I've sent people off.

01:43:13I've sent people off.

01:43:14I've sent people off.

01:43:15I've sent people off.

01:43:16I've sent people off.

01:43:17I've sent people off.

01:43:18I've sent people off.

01:43:19I've sent people off.

01:43:20I've sent people off.

01:43:21I've sent people off.

01:43:22I've sent people off.

01:43:23I've sent people off.

01:43:24I've sent people off.

01:43:25I've sent people off.

01:43:26I've sent people off.

01:43:27I've sent people off.

01:43:28I've sent people off.

01:43:29I've sent people off.

01:43:30I've sent people off.

01:43:31I've sent people off.

01:43:32I've sent people off.

01:43:33I've sent people off.

01:43:34I've sent people off.

01:43:35I've sent people off.

01:43:36I've sent people off.

01:43:37I've sent people off.

01:43:38I've sent people off.

01:43:39I've sent people off.

01:43:40I've sent people off.

01:43:41I've sent people off.

01:43:42I've sent people off.

01:43:43I've sent people off.

01:43:44I've sent people off.

01:43:45I've sent people off.

01:43:46I've sent people off.

01:43:47I've sent people off.

01:43:48I've sent people off.

01:43:49I've sent people off.

01:43:50I've sent people off.

01:43:51I've sent people off.

01:43:52I've sent people off.

01:43:53I've sent people off.

01:43:54I've sent people off.

01:43:55I've sent people off.

01:43:56I've sent people off.

01:43:57I've sent people off.

01:43:58I've sent people off.

01:43:59I've sent people off.

01:44:00I've sent people off.

01:44:01I've sent people off.

01:44:02I've sent people off.

01:44:03I've sent people off.

01:44:04I've sent people off.

01:44:05I've sent people off.

01:44:06I've sent people off.

01:44:07I've sent people off.

01:44:08I've sent people off.

01:44:09I've sent people off.

01:44:10I've sent people off.

01:44:11I've sent people off.

01:44:12I've sent people off.

01:44:13I've sent people off.

01:44:14I've sent people off.

01:44:15I've sent people off.

01:44:16I've sent people off.

01:44:17I've sent people off.

01:44:18I've sent people off.

01:44:19I've sent people off.

01:44:20I've sent people off.

01:44:21I've sent people off.

01:44:22I've sent people off.

01:44:23I've sent people off.

01:44:24I've sent people off.

01:44:25I've sent people off.

01:44:26I've sent people off.

01:44:27I've sent people off.

01:44:28I've sent people off.

01:44:29I've sent people off.

01:44:30I've sent people off.

01:44:31I've sent people off.

01:44:32I've sent people off.

01:44:33I've sent people off.

01:44:34I've sent people off.

01:44:35I've sent people off.

01:44:36I've sent people off.

01:44:37I've sent people off.

01:44:38I've sent people off.

01:44:39I've sent people off.

01:44:40I've sent people off.

01:44:41I've sent people off.

01:44:42I've sent people off.

01:44:43I've sent people off.

01:44:44I've sent people off.

01:44:45I've sent people off.

01:44:46I've sent people off.

01:44:47I've sent people off.

01:44:48I've sent people off.

01:44:49I've sent people off.

01:44:50I've sent people off.

01:44:51I've sent people off.

01:44:52I've sent people off.

01:44:53I've sent people off.

01:44:54I've sent people off.

01:44:55I've sent people off.

01:44:56I've sent people off.

01:44:57I've sent people off.

01:44:58I've sent people off.

01:44:59I've sent people off.

01:45:00I've sent people off.

01:45:01I've sent people off.

01:45:02I've sent people off.

01:45:03I've sent people off.

01:45:04I've sent people off.

01:45:05I've sent people off.

01:45:06I've sent people off.

01:45:07I've sent people off.

01:45:08I've sent people off.

01:45:09I've sent people off.

01:45:10I've sent people off.

01:45:11I've sent people off.

01:45:12I've sent people off.

01:45:13I've sent people off.

01:45:14I've sent people off.

01:45:15I've sent people off.

01:45:16I've sent people off.

01:45:17I've sent people off.

01:45:18I've sent people off.

01:45:19I've sent people off.

01:45:20I've sent people off.

01:45:21I've sent people off.

01:45:22I've sent people off.

01:45:23I've sent people off.

01:45:24I've sent people off.

01:45:25I've sent people off.

01:45:26I've sent people off.

01:45:27I've sent people off.

01:45:28I've sent people off.

01:45:29I've sent people off.

01:45:30I've sent people off.

01:45:31I've sent people off.

01:45:32I've sent people off.

01:45:33I've sent people off.

01:45:34I've sent people off.

01:45:35I've sent people off.

01:45:36I've sent people off.

01:45:37I've sent people off.

01:45:38I've sent people off.

01:45:39I've sent people off.

01:45:40I've sent people off.

01:45:41I've sent people off.

01:45:42I've sent people off.

01:45:43I've sent people off.

01:45:44I've sent people off.

01:45:45I've sent people off.

01:45:46I've sent people off.

01:45:47I've sent people off.

01:45:48I've sent people off.

01:45:49I've sent people off.

01:45:50I've sent people off.

01:45:51I've sent people off.

01:45:52I've sent people off.

01:45:53I've sent people off.

01:45:54I've sent people off.

01:45:55I've sent people off.

01:45:56I've sent people off.

01:45:57I've sent people off.

01:45:58I've sent people off.

01:45:59I've sent people off.

01:46:00I've sent people off.

01:46:01I've sent people off.

01:46:02I've sent people off.

01:46:03I've sent people off.

01:46:04I've sent people off.

01:46:05I've sent people off.

01:46:06I've sent people off.

01:46:07I've sent people off.

01:46:08I've sent people off.

01:46:09I've sent people off.

01:46:10I've sent people off.

01:46:11I've sent people off.

01:46:12I've sent people off.

01:46:13I've sent people off.

01:46:14I've sent people off.

01:46:15I've sent people off.

01:46:16I've sent people off.

01:46:17I've sent people off.

01:46:18I've sent people off.

01:46:19I've sent people off.

01:46:20I've sent people off.

01:46:21I've sent people off.

01:46:22I've sent people off.

01:46:23I've sent people off.

01:46:24I've sent people off.

01:46:25I've sent people off.

01:46:26I've sent people off.

01:46:27I've sent people off.

01:46:28I've sent people off.

01:46:29I've sent people off.

01:46:30I've sent people off.

01:46:31I've sent people off.

01:46:32I've sent people off.

01:46:33I've sent people off.

01:46:34I've sent people off.

01:46:35I've sent people off.

01:46:36I've sent people off.

01:46:37I've sent people off.

01:46:38I've sent people off.

01:46:39I've sent people off.

01:46:40I've sent people off.

01:46:41I've sent people off.

01:46:42I've sent people off.

01:46:43I've sent people off.

01:46:44I've sent people off.

01:46:45I've sent people off.

01:46:46I've sent people off.

01:46:47I've sent people off.

01:46:48I've sent people off.

01:46:49I've sent people off.

01:46:50I've sent people off.

01:46:51I've sent people off.

01:46:52I've sent people off.

01:46:53I've sent people off.

01:46:54I've sent people off.

01:46:55I've sent people off.

01:46:56I've sent people off.

01:46:57I've sent people off.

01:46:58I've sent people off.

01:46:59I've sent people off.

01:47:00I've sent people off.

01:47:01I've sent people off.

01:47:02I've sent people off.

01:47:03I've sent people off.

01:47:04I've sent people off.

01:47:05I've sent people off.

01:47:06I've sent people off.

01:47:07I've sent people off.

01:47:08I've sent people off.

01:47:09I've sent people off.

01:47:10I've sent people off.

01:47:11I've sent people off.

01:47:12I've sent people off.

01:47:13I've sent people off.

01:47:14I've sent people off.

01:47:15I've sent people off.

01:47:16I've sent people off.

01:47:17I've sent people off.

01:47:18I've sent people off.

01:47:19I've sent people off.

01:47:20I've sent people off.

01:47:21I've sent people off.

01:47:22I've sent people off.

01:47:23I've sent people off.

01:47:24I've sent people off.

01:47:25I've sent people off.

01:47:26I've sent people off.

01:47:27I've sent people off.

01:47:28I've sent people off.

01:47:29I've sent people off.

01:47:30I've sent people off.

01:47:31I've sent people off.

01:47:32I've sent people off.

01:47:33I've sent people off.

01:47:34I've sent people off.

01:47:35I've sent people off.

01:47:36I've sent people off.

01:47:37I've sent people off.

01:47:38I've sent people off.

01:47:39I've sent people off.

01:47:40I've sent people off.

01:47:41I've sent people off.

01:47:42I've sent people off.

01:47:43I've sent people off.

01:47:44I've sent people off.

01:47:45I've sent people off.

01:47:46I've sent people off.

01:47:47I've sent people off.

01:47:48I've sent people off.

01:47:49I've sent people off.

01:47:50I've sent people off.

01:47:51I've sent people off.

01:47:52I've sent people off.

01:47:53I've sent people off.

01:47:54I've sent people off.

01:47:55I've sent people off.

01:47:56I've sent people off.

01:47:57I've sent people off.

01:47:58I've sent people off.

01:47:59I've sent people off.

01:48:00I've sent people off.

01:48:01I've sent people off.

01:48:02I've sent people off.

01:48:03I've sent people off.

01:48:04I've sent people off.

01:48:05I've sent people off.

01:48:06I've sent people off.

01:48:07I've sent people off.

01:48:08I've sent people off.

01:48:09I've sent people off.

01:48:10I've sent people off.

01:48:11I've sent people off.

01:48:12I've sent people off.

01:48:13I've sent people off.

01:48:14I've sent people off.

01:48:15I've sent people off.

01:48:16I've sent people off.

01:48:17I've sent people off.

01:48:18I've sent people off.

01:48:19I've sent people off.

01:48:20I've sent people off.

01:48:21I've sent people off.

01:48:22I've sent people off.

01:48:23I've sent people off.

01:48:24I've sent people off.

01:48:25I've sent people off.

01:48:26I've sent people off.

01:48:27I've sent people off.

01:48:28I've sent people off.

01:48:29I've sent people off.

01:48:30I've sent people off.

01:48:31I've sent people off.

01:48:32I've sent people off.

01:48:33I've sent people off.

01:48:34I've sent people off.

01:48:35I've sent people off.

01:48:36I've sent people off.

01:48:37I've sent people off.

01:48:38I've sent people off.

01:48:39I've sent people off.

01:48:40I've sent people off.

01:48:41I've sent people off.

01:48:42I've sent people off.

01:48:43I've sent people off.

01:48:44I've sent people off.

01:48:45I've sent people off.

01:48:46I've sent people off.

01:48:47I've sent people off.

01:48:48I've sent people off.

01:48:49I've sent people off.

01:48:50I've sent people off.

01:48:51I've sent people off.

01:48:52I've sent people off.

01:48:53I've sent people off.

01:48:54I've sent people off.

01:48:55I've sent people off.

01:48:56I've sent people off.

01:48:57I've sent people off.

01:48:58I've sent people off.

01:48:59I've sent people off.

01:49:00I've sent people off.

01:49:01I've sent people off.

01:49:02I've sent people off.

01:49:03I've sent people off.

01:49:04I've sent people off.

01:49:05I've sent people off.

01:49:06I've sent people off.

01:49:07I've sent people off.

01:49:08I've sent people off.

01:49:09I've sent people off.

01:49:10I've sent people off.

01:49:11I've sent people off.

01:49:12I've sent people off.

01:49:13I've sent people off.

01:49:14I've sent people off.

01:49:15I've sent people off.

01:49:16I've sent people off.

01:49:17I've sent people off.

01:49:18I've sent people off.

01:49:19I've sent people off.

01:49:20I've sent people off.

01:49:21I've sent people off.

01:49:22I've sent people off.

01:49:23I've sent people off.

01:49:24I've sent people off.

01:49:25I've sent people off.

01:49:26I've sent people off.

01:49:27I've sent people off.

01:49:28I've sent people off.

01:49:29I've sent people off.

01:49:30I've sent people off.

01:49:31I've sent people off.

01:49:32I've sent people off.

01:49:33I've sent people off.

01:49:34I've sent people off.

01:49:35I've sent people off.

01:49:36I've sent people off.

01:49:37I've sent people off.

01:49:38I've sent people off.

01:49:39I've sent people off.

01:49:40I've sent people off.

01:49:41I've sent people off.

01:49:42I've sent people off.

01:49:43I've sent people off.

01:49:44I've sent people off.

01:49:45I've sent people off.

01:49:46I've sent people off.

01:49:47I've sent people off.

01:49:48I've sent people off.

01:49:49I've sent people off.

01:49:50I've sent people off.

01:49:51I've sent people off.

01:49:52I've sent people off.

01:49:53I've sent people off.

01:49:54I've sent people off.

01:49:55I've sent people off.

01:49:56I've sent people off.

01:49:57I've sent people off.

01:49:58I've sent people off.

01:49:59I've sent people off.

01:50:00I've sent people off.

01:50:01I've sent people off.

01:50:02I've sent people off.

01:50:03I've sent people off.

01:50:04I've sent people off.

01:50:05I've sent people off.

01:50:06I've sent people off.

01:50:07I've sent people off.

01:50:08I've sent people off.

01:50:09I've sent people off.

01:50:10I've sent people off.

01:50:11I've sent people off.

01:50:12I've sent people off.

01:50:13I've sent people off.

01:50:14I've sent people off.

01:50:15I've sent people off.

01:50:16I've sent people off.

01:50:17I've sent people off.

01:50:18I've sent people off.

01:50:19I've sent people off.

01:50:20I've sent people off.

01:50:21I've sent people off.

01:50:22I've sent people off.

01:50:23I've sent people off.

01:50:24I've sent people off.

01:50:25I've sent people off.

01:50:26I've sent people off.

01:50:27I've sent people off.

01:50:28I've sent people off.

01:50:29I've sent people off.

01:50:30I've sent people off.

01:50:31I've sent people off.

01:50:32I've sent people off.

01:50:33I've sent people off.

01:50:34I've sent people off.

01:50:35I've sent people off.

01:50:36I've sent people off.

01:50:37I've sent people off.

01:50:38I've sent people off.

01:50:39I've sent people off.

01:50:40I've sent people off.

01:50:41I've sent people off.

01:50:42I've sent people off.

01:50:43I've sent people off.

01:50:44I've sent people off.

01:50:45I've sent people off.

01:50:46I've sent people off.

01:50:47I've sent people off.

01:50:48I've sent people off.

01:50:49I've sent people off.

01:50:50I've sent people off.

01:50:51I've sent people off.

01:50:52I've sent people off.

01:50:53I've sent people off.

01:50:54I've sent people off.

01:50:55I've sent people off.

01:50:56I've sent people off.

01:50:57I've sent people off.

01:50:58I've sent people off.

01:50:59I've sent people off.

01:51:00I've sent people off.

01:51:01I've sent people off.

01:51:02I've sent people off.

01:51:03I've sent people off.

01:51:04I've sent people off.

01:51:05I've sent people off.

01:51:06I've sent people off.

01:51:07I've sent people off.

01:51:08I've sent people off.

01:51:09I've sent people off.

01:51:10I've sent people off.

01:51:11I've sent people off.

01:51:12I've sent people off.

01:51:13I've sent people off.

01:51:14I've sent people off.

01:51:15I've sent people off.

01:51:16I've sent people off.

01:51:17I've sent people off.

01:51:18I've sent people off.

01:51:19I've sent people off.

01:51:20I've sent people off.

01:51:21I've sent people off.

01:51:22I've sent people off.

01:51:23I've sent people off.

01:51:24I've sent people off.

01:51:25I've sent people off.

01:51:26I've sent people off.

01:51:27I've sent people off.

01:51:28I've sent people off.

01:51:29I've sent people off.

01:51:30I've sent people off.

01:51:31I've sent people off.

01:51:32I've sent people off.

01:51:33I've sent people off.

01:51:34I've sent people off.

01:51:35I've sent people off.

01:51:36I've sent people off.

01:51:37I've sent people off.

01:51:38I've sent people off.

01:51:39I've sent people off.

01:51:40I've sent people off.

01:51:41I've sent people off.

01:51:42I've sent people off.

01:51:43I've sent people off.

01:51:44I've sent people off.

01:51:45I've sent people off.

01:51:46I've sent people off.

01:51:47I've sent people off.

01:51:48I've sent people off.

01:51:49I've sent people off.

01:51:50I've sent people off.

01:51:51I've sent people off.

01:51:52I've sent people off.

01:51:53I've sent people off.

01:51:54I've sent people off.

01:51:55I've sent people off.

01:51:56I've sent people off.

01:51:57I've sent people off.

01:51:58I've sent people off.

01:51:59I've sent people off.

01:52:00I've sent people off.

01:52:01I've sent people off.

01:52:02I've sent people off.

01:52:03I've sent people off.

01:52:04I've sent people off.

01:52:05I've sent people off.

01:52:06I've sent people off.

01:52:07I've sent people off.

01:52:08I've sent people off.

01:52:09I've sent people off.

01:52:10I've sent people off.

01:52:11I've sent people off.

01:52:12I've sent people off.

01:52:13I've sent people off.

01:52:14I've sent people off.

01:52:15I've sent people off.

01:52:16I've sent people off.

01:52:17I've sent people off.

01:52:18I've sent people off.

01:52:19I've sent people off.

01:52:20I've sent people off.

01:52:21I've sent people off.

01:52:22I've sent people off.

01:52:23I've sent people off.

01:52:24I've sent people off.

01:52:25I've sent people off.

01:52:26I've sent people off.

01:52:27I've sent people off.

01:52:28I've sent people off.

01:52:29I've sent people off.

01:52:30I've sent people off.

01:52:31I've sent people off.

01:52:32I've sent people off.

01:52:33I've sent people off.

01:52:34I've sent people off.

01:52:35I've sent people off.

01:52:36I've sent people off.

01:52:37I've sent people off.

01:52:38I've sent people off.

01:52:39I've sent people off.

01:52:40I've sent people off.

01:52:41I've sent people off.

01:52:42I've sent people off.

01:52:43I've sent people off.

01:52:44I've sent people off.

01:52:45I've sent people off.

01:52:46I've sent people off.

01:52:47I've sent people off.

01:52:48I've sent people off.

01:52:49I've sent people off.

01:52:50I've sent people off.

01:52:51I've sent people off.

01:52:52I've sent people off.

01:52:53I've sent people off.

01:52:54I've sent people off.

01:52:55I've sent people off.

01:52:56I've sent people off.

01:52:57I've sent people off.

01:52:58I've sent people off.

01:52:59I've sent people off.

01:53:00I've sent people off.

01:53:01I've sent people off.

01:53:02I've sent people off.

01:53:03I've sent people off.

01:53:04I've sent people off.

01:53:05I've sent people off.

01:53:06I've sent people off.

01:53:07I've sent people off.

01:53:08I've sent people off.

01:53:09I've sent people off.

01:53:10I've sent people off.

01:53:11I've sent people off.

01:53:12I've sent people off.

01:53:13I've sent people off.

01:53:14I've sent people off.

01:53:15I've sent people off.

01:53:16I've sent people off.

01:53:17I've sent people off.

01:53:18I've sent people off.

01:53:19I've sent people off.

01:53:20I've sent people off.

01:53:21I've sent people off.

01:53:22I've sent people off.

01:53:23I've sent people off.

01:53:24I've sent people off.

01:53:25I've sent people off.

01:53:26I've sent people off.

01:53:27I've sent people off.

01:53:28I've sent people off.

01:53:29I've sent people off.

01:53:30I've sent people off.

01:53:31I've sent people off.

01:53:32I've sent people off.

01:53:33I've sent people off.

01:53:34I've sent people off.

01:53:35I've sent people off.

01:53:36I've sent people off.

01:53:37I've sent people off.

01:53:38I've sent people off.

01:53:39I've sent people off.

01:53:40I've sent people off.

01:53:41I've sent people off.

01:53:42I've sent people off.

01:53:43I've sent people off.

01:53:44I've sent people off.

01:53:45I've sent people off.

01:53:46I've sent people off.

01:53:47I've sent people off.

01:53:48I've sent people off.

01:53:49I've sent people off.

01:53:50I've sent people off.

01:53:51I've sent people off.

01:53:52I've sent people off.

01:53:53I've sent people off.

01:53:54Thank you.

01:53:55Thank you.

01:53:56Thank you.

01:53:57Thank you.

01:53:58Thank you.

01:53:59Thank you.

01:54:00Thank you so much.

01:54:01Thank you so much.

01:54:02Okay.

01:54:03Well, thank you all very much.

01:54:05At this time, I'd like to bring up Roger Lau, Alex Wong, and

01:54:16Thank you all very much.

01:54:17At this time, I'd like to bring up Roger Lau,

01:54:23Alex Wong, Nadia Belkins.

01:54:31I don't, yeah.

01:54:38We were going to do a,

01:54:43a slight shift just now.

01:54:45I was gonna do a panel,

01:54:46but we're running a little bit over time,

01:54:50so I'm going to, at this point,

01:54:52I'd like to introduce Roger Lau.

01:54:55I could take a whole day introducing him,

01:54:57but let me just tell you that he is

01:55:00the Deputy Executive Director for the DNC.

01:55:05That means he's the number two person

01:55:09in the entire Democratic National Committee,

01:55:12the highest ranking Asian American,

01:55:16the highest ranking Asian American on the staff of the DNC.

01:55:20But the reason I wanted to make that point

01:55:23is that representation matters, absolutely matters.

01:55:27I have been working, being a volunteer,

01:55:31a super volunteer of the DNC since 2001,

01:55:35when I was first appointed.

01:55:38And ever since I became a chair,

01:55:41one of the things that I ask

01:55:43every time that we have a change in administration,

01:55:46if you will, is three things.

01:55:50I want people, I want money,

01:55:54and I want communications, money for our media.

01:56:01And throughout the years, the answer that I get,

01:56:05yes, Bill, sure.

01:56:07And I start jumping up and down, and I get some,

01:56:10but not a whole lot.

01:56:12It isn't until this man came along

01:56:16that he heard us, because he knows us.

01:56:20He knows our issues.

01:56:23And most importantly, I want to share with you,

01:56:25I really want to do a brag on him.

01:56:30Ever since he came on board,

01:56:32we had more than 35 Asian American on the staff.

01:56:37I think it's actually increased.

01:56:39Yes, it's increased.

01:56:43And what he does is he does it,

01:56:45it's intentionally, but it is in such a natural way

01:56:50that says, but of course, it's talents.

01:56:53But guess what, we're represented.

01:56:56It is this man, and I love him.

01:56:58Love you too.

01:56:59Okay.

01:56:59Yeah.

01:57:00Yeah.

01:57:01Well, I'm just gonna be brief,

01:57:03because I know we're over time,

01:57:04but just a shout out to Ma Bell.

01:57:06She is the highest ranking Asian American

01:57:08in the DNC, and all the work that we do,

01:57:12we're standing on your shoulders.

01:57:14So thank you, Bell.

01:57:16But as Bell has said, representation matters,

01:57:19and it matters for a variety of reasons.

01:57:21Bell, I'm proud to let you know

01:57:23that number is way more than 35.

01:57:24Yeah, yeah.

01:57:26So between the DNC, Wilmington, HFP,

01:57:29in the states and the convention,

01:57:31I think we have over 120 or so Asian Americans

01:57:33across every single department, up and down,

01:57:36department heads, advanced scheduling,

01:57:39policy, communications, everywhere.

01:57:42Also, shout out to Verness from our communications team,

01:57:43who's filming right now, over at the DNC.

01:57:47The first time I came to the DNC, we had one.

01:57:50Is that right?

01:57:51Yeah, one.

01:57:51But that matters.

01:57:53That matters not only because, number one,

01:57:55we have really talented people in our community

01:57:57that wanna contribute to the DNC and the democratic cause,

01:58:03but having people who have that lens

01:58:04in a variety of positions helps us become better,

01:58:07helps us make sure we're serving the community better

01:58:09and the party better.

01:58:11There are two people who are the tip of the spear

01:58:13that I wanna make sure that we shout out.

01:58:14Alex Wan is our API director at the DNC.

01:58:17And Nadia's leading our effort overall with HFP.

01:58:24She came on with Biden.

01:58:26She created an organization, nonprofit,

01:58:29not for nonprofit, what is that, SuperPAC, or?

01:58:3151C4, Asian Power Network, right, yeah.

01:58:35And formed the organization, headed it up,

01:58:37and decided to come over to the campaign,

01:58:39and we could not be more proud.

01:58:40And the reason why all that matters,

01:58:43the work that we do with our community,

01:58:45it can't just be incidental, right?

01:58:48It has to be intentional.

01:58:49And every single day, they make sure

01:58:50every single department within the campaign

01:58:52does this work intentionally.

01:58:53So I wanna make sure that you guys,

01:58:55the best thing you could do to be helpful,

01:58:56take their calls.

01:58:57When they text you, return them.

01:58:59They're the ones who are leading the way,

01:59:00and I'm following, too.

01:59:02So thank you for all you do.

01:59:03Thank you.

01:59:04Thank you.

01:59:05Thank you.

01:59:06Thank you.

01:59:07Thank you.

01:59:08Okay, so I know a lot of the electors

01:59:12had already had to leave because of other commitments,

01:59:15but I wanted intentionally to do a roll call

01:59:20of all of the elected members.

01:59:25And I'm gonna bring my senator, Clarence Lamb,

01:59:30from Maryland, and Representative Long Tran from Georgia.

01:59:36Please, take it away.

01:59:37Take it away.

01:59:42All right, we're gonna roll call the elected officials

01:59:44and ask them to come up to the front

01:59:45because we would not have a AAPI event without photos.

01:59:48So we're gonna go through this very quickly.

01:59:52We have, and you've heard from some of these folks,

01:59:54the Honorable Chantelle Wong,

01:59:56the Honorable Nani Coloretti,

01:59:58the Honorable Raj Punjabi.

02:00:01We also have Assemblymember Grace Lee

02:00:07from the state of New York.

02:00:08We have Mike Lin, Mike Yin, rather,

02:00:12the Minority Floor Leader from Wyoming.

02:00:15We have Mr. Otto Lee, Santa Clara County Supervisor.

02:00:19Ai-Wen Chu, New York State Senator.

02:00:21Jay Chowdhury, the North Carolina State Senator.

02:00:25Jerome Lee, Standing Committee of Massachusetts.

02:00:27Tyler Dos Santos Tam, Honolulu City Council.

02:00:32Cal Lee, from the Green Bay School Board in Wisconsin.

02:00:38And I'll hand it over to Representative Long Tran.

02:00:43All right, we've got Qian Zheng

02:00:45from the Board of Directors of Portland Community College.

02:00:49Lisa Cao from County Legislator, Dutchess County.

02:00:54Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston.

02:00:56Sarah Freeman, Executive Committee of EC Mayors.

02:01:02Inka Mosca, Assemblywoman of Nevada.

02:01:06Zui Nguyen, Assemblyman of Nevada.

02:01:10Kevin Thomas, State Senator of Nevada.

02:01:13Cham Nguyen, State Representative of Massachusetts.

02:01:18Kenny Nguyen, Council Member of Broomfield, Colorado.

02:01:23Thuy Dao Jensen, School Board, Brentwood, California.

02:01:29Khadijah Goss, Congressional District One, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

02:01:37Ty Panserga, Mayor of Boynton, Florida.

02:01:41And Frank Aurelio Yokayama,

02:01:47Council Member of Cerritos, California.

02:01:49Please come up.

02:01:52Thank you.

02:02:06If there's anyone that we missed that's elected,

02:02:09please come up, please join us.

02:02:13We also have Luz Bay, Representative of New Hampshire.

02:02:22Thank you.

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