Washington, D.C. – January 7, 2025 – On the evening of January 7, 2025, the Capital Turnaround in Washington, D.C. hosted the APAICS (Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies) Ceremonial Swearing-In & Welcome Reception, which celebrated the inauguration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) members of the 119th Congress. The event brought together prominent political, community, and business leaders to mark this historic moment.
The celebration featured vibrant cultural performances, including a Polynesian-inspired dance by Tepua Hio Hio, a powerful Taiko drum performance by Mark H. Taiko Connection, and a delightful culinary experience with dishes curated by chefs Tim Ma and Seng Luangrath, offering guests a unique blend of visual and gastronomic pleasures.
As the event began, CBS News journalist Shanelle Kaul served as the emcee and announced the start of the ceremony. One by one, the newly sworn-in members of Congress entered the venue, each arrival met with applause, underscoring the gravity of the occasion.
The first to enter was Ted Lieu of California’s 36th District, followed by Grace Meng of New York’s 6th District, who was appointed as the new Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Other distinguished members included Mark Takano of California’s 39th District, Jill Tokuda of Hawaii’s 2nd District, Ami Bera of California’s 6th District, Judy Chu of California’s 32nd District, Ed Case of Hawaii’s 1st District, Pramila Jayapal of Washington’s 7th District, Jimmy Panetta of California’s 19th District, Marilyn Strickland of Washington’s 10th District, Dan Goldman of New York’s 10th District, Dave Min of California’s 47th District, Derek Tran of California’s 45th District, Bobby Scott of Virginia’s 3rd District, and Andy Kim, the Senator from New Jersey. Their collective presence, representing diverse geographic areas and backgrounds, highlighted the growing influence of the AAPI community within the halls of Congress.
Madalene Mielke, President and CEO of APAICS, reflected on the significant milestones for the AANHPI community in U.S. politics. She noted the record number of 12 Pacific Islander women in Congress, the election of Andy Kim as the first Korean-American U.S. Senator, and the rise of Derek Tran, the first Vietnamese-American representative for a district with the largest Vietnamese-American population. Mielke emphasized that the number of AAPI members in Congress—three Senators and 22 Representatives—signifies a major leap forward in the community’s political representation.
During the evening, Wells Fargo’s Executive Vice President, who oversees the company’s Asia business, commended the APAICS leadership and congratulated the newly-elected members of Congress. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the continued growth and advancement of the AAPI community.
Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader (NY-8), delivered a rousing speech, praising the contributions of CAPAC to U.S. society and the role of AAPI communities in shaping the American Dream. He also committed to ensuring that the Democratic Party will steadfastly defend the rights of AAPIs and continue the fight against anti-Asian hate and discrimination in the new term.
Ted Lieu, Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and Representative from California’s 36th District, used humor to connect with the audience before expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support for CAPAC. He highlighted the success of CAPAC in expanding its membership, despite challenging election environments, and expressed his optimism for the future of AAPI representation in Congress.
The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Sri Srinivasan, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. As members of Congress took the oath, they pledged to uphold the Constitution and serve the nation with loyalty, a moment that was marked by applause and flashing cameras.
Newly appointed APAICS Board Chair Jason Chan thanked outgoing leaders, such as Judy Chu and Susan Jane Davis, for their contributions. He also expressed appreciation for Madalene Mielke and the APAICS team, praising their leadership in advancing the AAPI agenda and creating more opportunities for the community in public service.
Grace Meng, newly-elected CAPAC Chair, concluded the speeches by reflecting on her journey from being a newcomer to Congress to assuming the leadership of CAPAC. She expressed her determination to unite CAPAC members, protect the rights of the AAPI community, and ensure that AAPIs play an increasingly prominent role in shaping national policies.
The event was graced by prominent leaders such as Bel Leong-Hong, Chair of the DNC AAPI Caucus, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Chen Difan, Executive Director of APIAVote, and Deedee Yan, Public Affairs Liaison for the National Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (National ACE). These figures came together to celebrate the growing role of AAPIs in U.S. politics and offer their support for the community’s continued progress.
In an interview, Madalene Mielke remarked, “Tonight, we celebrate the historic swearing-in of AAPI members to the U.S. House and Senate. This is another crucial step forward in our community’s growing presence on the national stage.” She also shared APAICS’ upcoming initiatives, including the 31st Annual Awards Gala and Legislative Summit scheduled for May 12-13, 2025.
Reflecting on the event, Ted Lieu expressed his pride in witnessing AAPI representation in Congress reach unprecedented levels. He also expressed gratitude to the sponsors and supporters of APAICS for making such progress possible.
Congressman Mark Takano, representing California’s 39th District, shared his pride in being part of this historic moment. He highlighted the need for continued efforts to increase AAPI representation and push for policy reforms that will benefit AAPI communities across the nation.
Bel Leong-Hong, DNC AAPI Caucus Chair, extended her Lunar New Year greetings in Cantonese and Mandarin, adding to the festive spirit of the event: “Happy Lunar New Year! May the Year of the Dragon bring prosperity and good fortune.”
Former Governor Martin O’Malley emphasized the rapid growth of the AAPI community and its potential to become the largest immigrant group in the U.S. He expressed his excitement about running for DNC Chair and showed his support for the community’s political power.
Jason Chan, newly appointed APAICS Board Chair, spoke about his long-standing involvement with the organization and his pride in being part of its success in advocating for AAPI representation and leadership in public office.
Sarah Lin from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) shared her excitement at witnessing the historic representation of AAPI members in the 119th Congress. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of such a meaningful and impactful event.
This remarkable event not only celebrated the rising influence of Asian Americans in U.S. politics but also laid a strong foundation for continued collaboration and progress. With AAPI communities’ political power growing, all attendees left with a sense of hope and optimism for a future where Asian Americans will play an even more pivotal role in advancing national policy and social justice.
