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WASHINGTON, D.C., Apr 5, 2023 — Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) recognize Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Equal Pay Day, the date when AANHPI women’s average earnings catch up to what white, non-Hispanic men made in the previous year. On average, AANHPI women make only 80 cents on the dollar compared to white men, and disaggregated data show significantly wider gaps. To mark AANHPI Equal Pay Day, CAPAC Members issued the following statements:

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28): “It shouldn’t take AANHPI women an average of 16 months to earn what white men make in one year, often for the same work. And when we examine the disaggregated data, many AANHPI women face even wider wage gaps—with Native Hawaiian women only making 61 cents for every dollar, and Bangladeshi and Nepalese American women making less than 50 cents. It is shameful that discriminatory wage gaps on the basis of race and gender persist in our country, and it is vital to women, their families, and to our economy that Congress address these injustices. Today on AANHPI Equal Pay Day, and every day, I will continue to fight for fair and equal wages for all AANHPI women.”--READ MORE

Born in Chennai, India in 1965, Jayapal grew up in India, Indonesia, and Singapore. At the age of 16, she came to the US to attend college, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English and Economics from Georgetown University. Afterwards, she earned her MBA from Northwestern University. Jayapal initially worked as a Wall Street financial analyst after college, but her experience of being an immigrant drew her to community organizing.

Jayapal, who had just become a naturalized citizen at the time, realized America’s perception and treatment of migrants would drastically change following the September 11 attacks of 2001. In its aftermath, immigrants of color – particularly Muslim and Sikh community members – experienced government targeting and hate crimes. In response to the xenophobia, Pramila Jayapal founded OneAmerica (formerly known as Hate Free Zone) in 2001.

One of OneAmerica’s many accomplishments was when they won a ruling that determined that the Bush Administration’s deportations of Somali immigrants were illegal in 2003. Jayapal organized the pro bono legal efforts, and this ruling prevented the deportation of more than 2,700 people around the US. With OneAmerica, Jayapal also launched the largest voter registration drive in Washington state history in 2008 – over 23,000 people! --READ MORE

Washington, D.C. — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates released the following statement regarding the appointment of Glenn D. Magpantay to the United States Commission on Civil Rights:

As a longtime supporter and member of OCA, we are delighted to see the appointment of Mr. Magpantay to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR). With his years of experience as a voting rights advocate, he would be a great addition to the Commission. Amidst the spike of anti-Asian racism, it is essential that a member from the Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) community is present at the table when issues like these are discussed. Thus, we commend U.S. Senate Majority Leader Schumer on the Senate’s choice in appointing Mr. Magpantay to the USCCR.

We congratulate Mr. Magpantay on his appointment, and we look forward to continuing to work together to advocate for the AANHPI community.-- READ MORE