HJ718: Commending the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C., Area, Inc.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 718
Offered February 2, 2021
Commending the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C., Area, Inc.
Patron-- Keam

WHEREAS, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C., Area, Inc., (APABA-DC) is the oldest and largest association of Asian American and Pacific Islander attorneys, judges, law professors, and other members of the legal profession in the Washington, D.C., area; and

WHEREAS, since its founding in 1981 by pioneering attorneys, including Virginia residents, the membership of APABA-DC has grown into a network of thousands of lawyers, law professors, judges, law students, and other interested individuals; and

WHEREAS, APABA-DC encourages and promotes the professional growth and advancement of its members by providing substantive professional development and educational programs, mentoring and networking opportunities, and opportunities to develop leadership and public speaking skills; and

WHEREAS, APABA-DC cultivates an understanding of issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community at large by being a voice for the AAPI legal community in the Washington, D.C., area and by serving as a resource for federal, state, and local agencies; elected officials and their staff; and public service organizations involved with the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts; and

WHEREAS, APABA-DC promotes the involvement of its members in the community by providing opportunities for service and leadership and by encouraging cooperation with and between other state and local bar organizations and community groups; and

WHEREAS, APABA-DC has worked to address anti-Asian discrimination locally and nationally, initiated calls to address racial injustice, and made support resources available to its members; and

WHEREAS, APABA-DC has urged lawyers to remain focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion as it faces significant challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C., Area, Inc., for its 40 years of service; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C., Area, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the organization’s commitment to Asian Pacific Americans in the legal community.