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 Island-
ers are working on the frontlines of this COVID–19 pan-
demic in health care, law enforcement, first responders, 
transportation, supermarkets, and other service indus-
tries; 
Whereas the use of anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric re-
lated to COVID–19, such as the ‘‘Chinese Virus’’, 
‘‘Wuhan Virus’’, and ‘‘Kung-flu’’ have perpetuated anti- 
Asian stigma; 
Whereas since January 2020, there has been a dramatic in-
crease 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 be-
tween 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;
•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 An-
geles, California; 
Whereas the increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has also re-
sulted in Asian-American businesses being targeted for 
vandalism; 
Whereas there are approximately 2 million Asian American- 
owned businesses that generate over $700 billion in an-
nual revenue and employ nearly 4.5 million workers; 
Whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) and the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recog-
nize 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 nam-
ing 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 inac-
curate 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’’;
•HRES 908 EH 
Whereas, on March 10, 2020, Dr. Robert Redfield, the Direc-
tor 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 de-
nounce 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 ut-
most priority; 
(3) condemns all manifestations of expressions of 
racism, xenophobia, discrimination, anti-Asian senti-
ment, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance; 
(4) calls on Federal law enforcement officials, work-
ing 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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(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 discrimina-
tion that put Asian Americans at risk. 
Attest: 
Clerk.