August 19, 2024 Chicago, Illinois – the Democratic National Committee’s AAPI Caucus meeting in Chicago was graced by a truly memorable moment as Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota and Congresswoman Judy Chu celebrated the birthday of Bel Leong-Hong, Chair of the AAPI Caucus.
Governor Walz, who is also a Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, made a surprise appearance at the event. His arrival was met with enthusiastic applause, reflecting the deep respect and admiration the attendees have for Bel Leong-Hong.
In his heartfelt message, Governor Walz praised Bel Leong-Hong for her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership. He highlighted her significant contributions to advocating for the AAPI community and emphasized how her work has been instrumental in shaping policy and fostering inclusivity within the Democratic Party. Governor Walz’s presence added a profound sense of warmth and recognition to the celebration.
Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and the first Chinese-American woman to serve in Congress celebrate with a moving tribute to Bel Leong-Hong. Chu praised Leong-Hong for her exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing the rights and unity of the AAPI community. Her heartfelt remarks resonated deeply with those in attendance and were met with enthusiastic applause.
The celebration reached its peak as Chu, alongside other Congressional colleagues, led the assembly in singing “Happy Birthday” to Bel Leong-Hong. Attendees included Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Congressman Mark Takano, Congressman Ted Lieu, Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, and Congressman Ro Khanna among others. The collective rendition of the birthday song added a joyful and communal touch to the event.
The event also drew participation from key figures in the AAPI community, including Nadia Belkin, National AANHPI Engagement Director at Harris for President, 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 among others.
The birthday celebration for Bel Leong-Hong not only highlighted her crucial role within the Democratic Party but also underscored the unity and solidarity of the AAPI community. This memorable moment will be cherished by all who attended, leaving a lasting impression on the 2024 DNC AAPI Caucus meeting.
