H. Res. 908 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 17, 2020. 

Whereas 23 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders 

account for 7 percent of the Nation’s population in the 

United States; 

Whereas over 2 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are working on the frontlines of this COVID–19 pandemic in health care, law enforcement, first responders, 

transportation, supermarkets, and other service industries; 

Whereas the use of anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric related to COVID–19, such as the ‘‘Chinese Virus’’, 

‘‘Wuhan Virus’’, and ‘‘Kung-flu’’ have perpetuated antiAsian stigma; 

Whereas since January 2020, there has been a dramatic increase in reports of hate crimes and incidents against 

those of Asian descent; 

Whereas according to a recent study, there were over 400 

cases related to COVID–19 anti-Asian discrimination between February 9, 2020, and March 7, 2020; 

Whereas the increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has resulted 

in Asian Americans being harassed, assaulted, and 

scapegoated for the COVID–19 pandemic; 
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•HRES 908 EH 

Whereas in March 2020, anti-Asian violence includes: a 

woman wearing a mask was kicked and punched at a 

New York City subway station; two children and two 

adults were stabbed at a wholesale grocery in Midland, 

Texas; a couple was assaulted and robbed by a group of 

attackers in Philadelphia; and a 16-year-old boy was sent 

to the hospital after being attacked by bullies in Los Angeles, California; 

Whereas the increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has also resulted in Asian-American businesses being targeted for 

vandalism; 

Whereas there are approximately 2 million Asian Americanowned businesses that generate over $700 billion in annual revenue and employ nearly 4.5 million workers; 

Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) and the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize that naming COVID–19 by its geographic location 

or linking it to a specific ethnicity perpetuates stigma; 

Whereas in 2015, the WHO issued guidance calling on media 

outlets, scientists, and national authorities to avoid naming infectious diseases for locations to avoid stigmatizing 

groups of people; 

Whereas, on February 27, 2020, the Secretary of Health and 

Human Services stated ‘‘ethnicity is not what causes the 

novel coronavirus’’ and that it is inappropriate and inaccurate to call COVID–19 the ‘‘Chinese virus’’; 

Whereas, on February 28, 2020, Dr. Mitch Wolfe, the Chief 

Medical Officer of the CDC said, ‘‘Stigma is the enemy 

of public health’’; 
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•HRES 908 EH 

Whereas, on March 10, 2020, Dr. Robert Redfield, the Director of the CDC, testified that use of the term ‘‘Chinese 

coronavirus’’ is wrong and inappropriate; and 

Whereas the Secretary General of the United Nations called 

for international solidarity and an end to any ill-founded 

discrimination of the outbreak’s victims: Now, therefore, 

be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) calls on all public officials to condemn and denounce any and all anti-Asian sentiment in any form; 

(2) recognizes that the health and safety of all 

Americans, no matter their background, must be of utmost priority; 

(3) condemns all manifestations of expressions of 

racism, xenophobia, discrimination, anti-Asian sentiment, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance; 

(4) calls on Federal law enforcement officials, working with State and local officials— 

(A) to expeditiously investigate and document 

all credible reports of hate crimes and incidents and 

threats against the Asian-American community in 

the United States; 

(B) to collect data to document the rise of 

incidences of hate crimes due to COVID–19; and 

(C) to hold the perpetrators of those crimes, 

incidents, or threats accountable and bring such 

perpetrators to justice; and 
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•HRES 908 EH 

(5) recommits United States leadership in building 

more inclusive, diverse, and tolerant societies— 

(A) to prioritize language access and inclusivity 

in communication practices; and 

(B) to combat misinformation and discrimination that put Asian Americans at risk. 

Attest: 

Clerk.