The Los Angeles Post

Congresswoman Judy Chu Highlights AANHPI Progress and Challenges at Committee of 100 Gala

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LOS ANGELES (LAPost) — U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress, delivered a rousing keynote speech at the Committee of 100’s 2025 Annual Gala in Los Angeles on April 25, celebrating AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) political advancement while urging vigilance against persistent discrimination.

U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu attended the dinner and delivered a keynote speech (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Chu, representing California’s 28th District, opened by praising C100’s role as a critical advocacy partner and noted the symbolic significance of the organization hosting its gala in Los Angeles for the first time in nearly a decade. She drew parallels between the resilience of her constituents rebuilding after the devastating Eaton Fire and the broader AANHPI community’s fight for equity.

From Exclusion to Empowerment
Reflecting on historical injustices, Chu cited the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and Japanese American incarceration during WWII as examples of systemic racism that went unchallenged due to lack of representation. “Today, we have 25 AANHPI members of Congress and 81 in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC),” she declared, highlighting legislative wins such as:

  • Passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and AAPI Museum Study Act

  • Termination of the China Initiative, which targeted Chinese scientists

  • Blocking xenophobic housing restrictions reminiscent of 19th-century “alien land laws”

Data, Visibility, and the “Margin of Victory”
Chu emphasized the importance of disaggregated AANHPI data in federal programs to ensure equitable services, noting that Chinese languages are now the third most spoken in the U.S. With 25 million AANHPIs and 14 million eligible voters, she asserted, “We’ve gone from being marginalized to the margin of victory,” influencing swing states and key districts nationwide.

A Call to Action
The congresswoman closed by urging continued advocacy against anti-Asian hate, protection of DEI initiatives, and expanded language access. “Our wins in Congress depend on partnerships with all of you—nonprofits, businesses, and advocates,” she said, praising C100’s leadership.

As the lights rose, the audience gave Chu a standing ovation, underscoring her message of unity and perseverance.

By Richard Ren, Senior Journalist | LAPost.us