H.R. No. 538
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, People of Asian descent have been an integral part
of Texas' culture and history for more than 150 years; and
WHEREAS, Texas is home to 1.5 million Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders, and there are more than 150,000 Asian
American-owned businesses across the state that generate $64
million in annual revenue; over 100,000 Texas health care workers
of Asian descent are serving on the frontlines in the battle against
the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Escalating anti-Asian rhetoric has resulted in
Asian Americans being attacked and scapegoated for the COVID-19
pandemic and has encouraged vandals to target Asian American
businesses and institutions; in San Antonio, a Vietnamese
American-owned noodle shop was vandalized with racist graffiti; in
Austin, a Buddhist temple was desecrated by an intruder; and
WHEREAS, Anti-Asian American hate crimes increased by almost
150 percent over the previous year in America's most populous
cities, and there have been more than 2,800 reported hate incidents
against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from the start of the
pandemic; in San Angelo, a Korean student was assaulted after
standing up for himself to a racist neighbor; in Midland, a Burmese
family of three, including children ages two and six, were
assaulted and stabbed while shopping for groceries; eight people,
including six Asian American women, who were murdered in day spas in
the Atlanta, Georgia, area are the most recent casualties of
anti-Asian bigotry in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Hateful rhetoric and violence against Asian
Americans has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,
and there is much work to be done to ensure their safety and
well-being; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby strongly condemn and denounce anti-Asian
bigotry, racism, and all hateful speech and violent action related
to COVID-19; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge federal,
state, and local law enforcement officials to investigate and
document all credible reports of hate crimes, incidents, and
threats against the Asian American community in Texas.
Vo Harless Vo Harless
Vo Harless
Howard Thompson of Harris Howard Thompson of Harris
Howard Thompson of Harris
Shine Allen Shine Allen
Shine Allen
Anchia Bernal Anchia Bernal
Anchia Bernal
Bucy Button Bucy Button
Bucy Button
Dutton Fierro Dutton Fierro
Dutton Fierro
Frullo Gervin-Hawkins Frullo Gervin-Hawkins
Frullo Gervin-Hawkins
Hinojosa A. Johnson of Harris Hinojosa A. Johnson of Harris
Hinojosa A. Johnson of Harris
Kacal Kuempel Kacal Kuempel
Kacal Kuempel
Larson Lopez Larson Lopez
Larson Lopez
Moody Morales of Maverick Moody Morales of Maverick
Moody Morales of Maverick
Ortega Paddie Ortega Paddie
Ortega Paddie
Price Rosenthal Price Rosenthal
Price Rosenthal
Sherman, Sr. Turner of Tarrant Sherman, Sr. Turner of Tarrant
Sherman, Sr. Turner of Tarrant
Wu Wu
Wu
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 538 was adopted by the House on May
14, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Vo Harless
Howard Thompson of Harris
Shine Allen
Anchia Bernal
Bucy Button
Dutton Fierro
Frullo Gervin-Hawkins
Hinojosa A. Johnson of Harris
Kacal Kuempel
Larson Lopez
Moody Morales of Maverick
Ortega Paddie
Price Rosenthal
Sherman, Sr. Turner of Tarrant
Wu