HOUSE RESOLUTION 20

(By Delegates Young, Barach, Boggs, Diserio, Doyle, Fleischauer, Fluharty, Garcia, Griffith, Hansen, Hornbuckle, Lovejoy, Pethtel, Pushkin, Rowe, Skaff, Thompson, Walker, Williams and Zukoff  )

[Introduced March 29, 2021]

Condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19.

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 anti-Asian stigma leading to harassment, assault, and scapegoating; and

Whereas, There has been a dramatic increase in reports of hate crimes and incidents against those of Asian descent since the start of the COVID–19 outbreak that has continued throughout the pandemic; and

Whereas, According to a recent report by Stop AAPI Hate, there are nearly 3,795 reported cases of anti-Asian discrimination related to COVID–19 between March 19, 2020, to February 28, 2021, with reported cases in every state; and

Whereas, The persistent discrimination, violence, vandalism, and hate crimes against Asians in the United States are placing Asian individuals and their families, communities, and businesses at risk; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the West Virginia House of Delegates condemns and denounces all forms of anti-Asian sentiment and all acts of racism, xenophobia, intolerance, discrimination, hate crimes, and hate speech against Asian Americans and Asian individuals in West Virginia and the United States; and, be it

Further Resolved, That this body asserts West Virginia’s commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, equality, and compassion, not only the United States but also for the people of other nations, global alliances, and unions to ensure that all members of the Asian community, regardless of their background, spoken language, or religious beliefs, are treated with dignity and equity; and, be it

Further Resolved, That we encourage Asian Americans and all West Virginians who experience hate crimes to report such incidents to local law enforcement, the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, and the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division; and, be it

Further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the West Virginia Attorney General, and the Executive Director of the West Virginia Human Rights Commission.