New York, NY (May 22, 2025) –Committee of 100, a nonprofit organization of prominent Chinese Americans, today issued the following statement in strong support of the National Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act.

Today, U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Act, bicameral legislation to promote the teaching of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in schools across the country.

“Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history is marked by tremendous contributions to our nation’s progress, alongside painful experiences of exclusion and discrimination,” said Gary Locke, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Chair of Committee of 100. “It’s essential that students learn the full story—from the challenges to the triumphs. Committee of 100 applauds Representative Meng and Senator Hirono for their leadership on the Teaching AANHPI History Act and strongly encourages Congress to pass this vital legislation.”   

“As a proud Chinese American scholar in higher education, I’ve seen firsthand how the absence of our stories in public school curricula leaves students of all backgrounds with an incomplete understanding of American history,” said Frank H. Wu, President of Queens College in New York, Author of Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White, and a Committee of 100 Member. “Teaching AAPI history isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about accuracy, belonging, and preparing the next generation to lead with empathy, context, and a deeper respect for the diverse threads that make up our nation’s fabric. This is American history.”     

“AAPI communities have helped shaped America from its earliest days to our present world,” said Gordon H. Chang, Olive H. Palmer Professor in Humanities and Professor of History at Stanford University, author of the book Fateful Ties: A History of America’s Preoccupation with China, and a Committee of 100 Member. “Incorporating AAPI history into school curricula acknowledges this truth and plays a vital role in challenging the ignorance that drives discrimination and hate. It’s time our education system reflects the full story of America.”   

Committee of 100 has long been an advocate and voice for the teaching of AAPI history in our schools. In 2022, Committee of 100 published state-by-state research on the status of K-12 AAPI curriculum adoption across the United States, research available for free at the Committee of 100 website here.  In the most recent update from March of this year, only 11 states have statutes that require AAPI studies curriculum.  Additionally, Committee of 100, working with The Asian American Education Project, launched a series of AAPI lesson plans specially designed for Grades 6-9, that examine the multi-faceted Chinese American contributions to U.S. society, historically and presently.

“The Asian American Education Project applauds this bill to have Asian American history in our schools,” said Stewart Kwoh, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of The Asian American Education Project and a Committee of 100 Member. “Over the years, we have trained over 12,000 teachers and developed 150 lesson plans for K-12 grades. The Asian American Education Project stands ready to bring AAPI history to the millions of students who currently do not know who we are as a community.”  

About Committee of 100

Committee of 100 is a nonprofit U.S. leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, healthcare, and the arts focused on public policy engagement, civic engagement, and philanthropy. For over 35 years, Committee of 100 has served as the preeminent organization committed to the dual missions of promoting the full participation of Chinese Americans in all aspects of American life and constructive relations between the United States and Greater China. Visit https://www.committee100.org/ for more info. 

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