Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ROBERT J. KARABINCHAK
District 18 (Middlesex)
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Supports Chinese and other Asian American communities and international partners during coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution supporting Chinese and other Asian American communities and international partners during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic.
Whereas, The 2019 novel coronavirus, known as “COVID-19,” was first reported in Wuhan, China in December of 2019; and
Whereas, The COVID-19 outbreak has infected tens of thousands of people in China and worldwide; and
Whereas, COVID-19 has also infected many citizens of the United States including New Jersey; and
Whereas, With the spread of COVID-19, there are unfortunately many reports of racism and discrimination against Chinese and Asian communities in the United States and around the world; and
Whereas, There are reports of harassment against those who are of Asian descent, with incidents where people are subjected to verbal insults and actively avoided in public; and
Whereas, Fear and misinformation around this disease has led to blanket discrimination against the Asian American community and emboldened racist sentiments in this State; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, there has been a steep decline in business for Asian American owned shops and restaurants; and
Whereas, The General Assembly, municipalities, and various organizations have sought to dispel misinformation. However, as COVID-19 has spread globally, discrimination against Chinese and other Asian American communities will unfortunately likely continue; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House expresses its support and empathy for Chinese and other Asian American communities during the COVID-19 epidemic and recommits itself to fighting discrimination and racism in all forms.
2. This House stands in solidarity with the people of China and other countries around the world who are suffering from COVID-19.
3. New Jersey public health experts and public health experts from the federal, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should join the World Health Organization in efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in China and here at home.
4. The federal government
is encouraged to continue to work together with the World Health Organization
and other countries on the goal of preventing COVID-19 from taking more lives.
5. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution supports Chinese and other Asian American communities and international partners during the COVID-19 epidemic.
The 2019 novel coronavirus, known as “COVID-19,” was first reported in Wuhan, China in December of 2019. The COVID-19 outbreak has infected tens of thousands of people in China and worldwide. COVID-19 has also infected many citizens of the United States including New Jersey.
With the spread of COVID-19, there are unfortunately many reports of racism and discrimination against Chinese and Asian communities in the United States and around the world. There are reports of harassment against those who are of Asian descent, with incidents where people are subjected to verbal insults and actively avoided in the public. Fear and misinformation around this disease has led to blanket discrimination against the Asian community, and emboldened racist sentiments in this State.
In New Jersey, there has been a steep decline in business for Asian American owned shops and restaurants. The General Assembly, municipalities, and various organizations have sought to dispel misinformation. However, as COVID-19 has spread globally, discrimination against Chinese and other Asian American communities will unfortunately likely continue.
The General Assembly expresses its support and empathy for Chinese and other Asian American communities during the COVID-19 epidemic and recommits itself to fighting discrimination and racism in all forms.