Reps. Chu, Bourdeaux, McBath, Williams and CAPAC Members Applaud Passage of Resolution Condemning the Georgia Spa Shootings

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 245-180 to pass H. Res. 275, a resolution condemning the horrific shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 16, 2021 and reaffirming the House of Representative’s commitment to combating hate, bigotry, and violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The resolution was introduced by Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu and co-led by Reps. Carolyn Bourdeaux, Lucy McBath, and Nikema Williams. Members released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“When a gunman walked into three Asian-owned spas outside Atlanta seeking to kill Asian women, he tore apart 8 families and woke up our nation to the ongoing plague of anti-Asian violence that has terrorized our community for over a year. I travelled to Atlanta after the shootings and met with some of the victims’ families who remembered their daughters, mothers and grandmothers not as victims, but as hard working women who loved their families. These murders were one of the most horrifying examples of the over 6,600 reported incidents of anti-Asian hate we have seen throughout the pandemic, and I’m encouraged that prosecutors are treating it as a hate crime. But with anti-Asian hate continuing to spread, we need to do more. By remembering the lives taken from us by hatred in Georgia and elsewhere, we can continue to build attention about the dangers of anti-Asian hate and bring our country together to stand up for all people, no matter our race, ethnicity, creed, orientation or background.”

Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07):

“I am proud that our bipartisan resolution condemning anti-AAPI hate and the heinous March shootings in Atlanta passed the House of Representatives today. We all have different stories, but together, we are one united nation. An attack on any one individual community is an attack on all communities. While Atlanta continues to mourn for the lives lost, we know that if we stand together, our light can never be dimmed.”

Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06):

“Too often, we have seen hate and discrimination turn to violence and terror. We must reaffirm our commitment to stand against all forms of bigotry. Racism has no place in our communities or in our country. We are all made stronger by the community that surrounds us, who lift us up in times of need, and who make our home the best place to live and raise a family. We again stand with our friends and neighbors in the Asian-American community to denounce hate, and to work together toward a future filled with love, hope, and faith for a brighter world.”

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05):

“Asian American communities in every state are experiencing intensified discrimination and violence, Everyone, no matter their race, ethnicity or gender, has the right to live without fear of violence in their workplace or public spaces. The horrific Atlanta spa shootings struck the heart of the Fifth District and the entire Atlanta community. I will always stand up and condemn all forms of violence and bigotry. I am proud to pass this resolution to stop AAPI hate and honor the victims of the Atlanta spa shootings.”

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair

“The spike in anti-AAPI violence around our city and country over this past year is disturbing and unacceptable. The heinous shootings in Georgia, which led to the tragic loss of eight American lives, must be a wake-up call for all of us to the reality Asian Americans have been facing. By voting to pass H.Res. 275, the House of Representatives clearly stated our condemnation of the heinous and inexcusable acts of gun violence Incidents like these. This is why we must always call out bigotry and hate – wherever and whenever we see it. Our AAPI neighbors have been attacked and harassed because of misinformation and xenophobia that wrongly blamed them for the COVID-19 virus. I stand in solidarity with the AAPI community today and every day. I thank Congresswoman Judy Chu for her leadership on this issue, and for introducing this important resolution.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC First Vice Chair:

“Today the House passed a resolution condemning the Atlanta spa shootings that took the lives of 8 people, including 6 Asian women. This senseless violence took place during a surge in anti-Asian hate incidents and hate crimes that has left the Asian American community living in terror. Last month I was able to join my colleagues in visiting the families of the victims. We have a duty to ensure that no one has to experience the loss of their family member in this manner. We cannot equivocate in our condemnation of this heinous act of gun violence that targeted Asian-owned businesses. I am proud to stand with my colleagues and reaffirm that hate and bigotry have no place in this country – not today and not ever.”

Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), CAPAC Second Vice Chair:

“On March 26th, tragedy struck Atlanta, and every community across America. A shooter targeted three Asian-owned spas in Georgia and unleashed deadly violence, killing 8 people, including 7 women – six who were Asian. This killing spree occurred against a backdrop of a rise in anti-Asian hate in our country and it intensified the fear and horror Asian Americans have felt throughout the pandemic. I visited Atlanta and heard from the community and the families of the victims – they need our support. One way to help the Asian American community heal is by calling this crime what it is – a hate crime – condemning it and reaffirming our commitment to combatting hate and violence against AAPIs. The passage of this resolution will put Congress on the record doing just that.”

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33), CAPAC Whip:

“The eight people murdered in the Atlanta spa shootings should be alive today. This heinous, racially-motivated act of gun violence resulted in the death of six Asian women. The gunman went to an Asian business and shot some Asians. He then drove 27 miles to a second Asian business and shot some more Asians. Then he targeted a third Asian business. I strongly support today’s passage of H. Res. 275, to condemn these horrific shootings and reaffirm our commitment to combating hate and violence against the AAPI community. My prayers are with the families of the victims of this senseless tragedy.”

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10):

“Racially motivated violence must be called out for exactly what it is, and we must stop making excuses for it. As a woman who is Black and Korean, I am acutely aware of how it feels to be erased or ignored. Words matter. Leadership matters. We must all loudly condemn actions and language rooted in fear and bigotry, which is exactly what Chairwoman Chu’s resolution does. The shooting which took eight precious lives, including six Asian women was devastating and my heart goes out to the victims’ families and the entire Atlanta community. As we honor and remember the victims, we must recommit to doing absolutely everything in our power to end gun violence, Stop Asian Hate, and prevent future tragedies.”

Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04):

“Today, my heart is heavy as we vote to condemn the horrific shootings at three Asian-owned spas in Georgia on March 16, 2021. These shootings took place during a surge of anti-Asian hate crimes and a rise in gun violence that has taken more than 7,200 lives in 2021 alone. As we commemorate the eight victims of the Georgia shooting today, we must recommit to rooting out hate and ending gun violence to keep all Americans safe.”

Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35):

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have endured more than a year of hateful violence and xenophobic attacks stemming from the last Administration recklessly scapegoating the AAPI community over COVID-19. Hateful rhetoric is not a victimless crime, and the erosion of decency in our discourse is not easily repaired. I’m proud to stand with CAPAC and lawmakers from across the country today in condemning the horrific shooting in Georgia that claimed eight lives, including six AAPI women. We each have a role to play in rejecting hate in all forms, and this resolution, in tandem with yesterday's passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, will bring us closer to that goal.”