August 19, 2024 Chicago, Illinois – Minnesota Governor and Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Committee’s AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Caucus meeting, held in Chicago. His unexpected visit added an electrifying boost to the event, which gathered prominent leaders and supporters from across the country.
The meeting was chaired by Bel Leong-Hong, the 2024 DNC AAPI Caucus Chair. Walz began his speech by expressing gratitude to Leong-Hong and extending birthday wishes. He praised her outstanding work in advancing AAPI issues and commended her leadership and contributions to the community.
Walz also acknowledged Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and the first Chinese-American woman to serve in Congress. He reminisced about their time together in Congress and honored her dedication to the AAPI community. Additionally, he greeted Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, Congressman Mark Takano, and Senator Tammy Duckworth, referring to them as “national treasures.”
In his address, Walz emphasized the strong leadership of Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris. He highlighted Harris’s visionary and effective leadership, sharing insights from recent campaign events, including those in Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Nevada. He particularly noted the large turnout and enthusiasm at these events, with thousands of supporters showing up in cities like Omaha and Las Vegas. In Nevada, the state party director, took the opportunity to recruit 5,000 new volunteers.
Walz quoted Harris, saying, “The mark of a leader is not to beat others down but to lift everyone up.” He underscored that Harris’s kindness should never be mistaken for weakness, affirming her commitment to moving the country forward.
He encouraged attendees to stay motivated and continue their efforts in the remaining 78 days leading up to the election. Walz expressed confidence in the future and inspired everyone to envision a President who truly represents America on Election Day.
The meeting also featured the participation of several key figures, including Nadia Belkin, National AANHPI Engagement Director for the Harris-Walz campaign; Andrew Peng, National AANHPI Spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign; Madalene Mielke, President & CEO of apaics; Christine Chen, Founder and Executive Director of apiavote; Mini Timmaraju, President of the nation’s leading advocacy organization; Tonia Bui, Founder of PWP Strategies; and Dottie Li, Founder and CEO of TransPacific Communications.
Walz’s appearance and remarks not only highlighted the significance of the meeting but also reinforced support for Kamala Harris and energized the campaign for the upcoming election. His speech underscored themes of unity and hope, providing a renewed impetus for the work ahead.
