87R16204 TBO-D     By: Vo, Harless, Howard, Thompson of Harris, H.R. No. 538       Shine, et al.       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, People of Asian descent have been an integral part   of Texas' culture and history for more than 150 years; and          WHEREAS, Texas is home to 1.5 million Asian Americans and   Pacific Islanders, and there are more than 150,000 Asian   American-owned businesses across the state that generate $64   million in annual revenue; over 100,000 Texas health care workers   of Asian descent are serving on the frontlines in the battle against   the COVID-19 pandemic; and          WHEREAS, Escalating anti-Asian rhetoric has resulted in   Asian Americans being attacked and scapegoated for the COVID-19   pandemic and has encouraged vandals to target Asian American   businesses and institutions; in San Antonio, a Vietnamese   American-owned noodle shop was vandalized with racist graffiti; in   Austin, a Buddhist temple was desecrated by an intruder; and          WHEREAS, Anti-Asian American hate crimes increased by almost   150 percent over the previous year in America's most populous   cities, and there have been more than 2,800 reported hate incidents   against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from the start of the   pandemic; in San Angelo, a Korean student was assaulted after   standing up for himself to a racist neighbor; in Midland, a Burmese   family of three, including children ages two and six, were   assaulted and stabbed while shopping for groceries; eight people,   including six Asian American women, who were murdered in day spas in   the Atlanta, Georgia, area are the most recent casualties of   anti-Asian bigotry in the United States; and          WHEREAS, Hateful rhetoric and violence against Asian   Americans has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,   and there is much work to be done to ensure their safety and   well-being; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas   Legislature hereby strongly condemn and denounce anti-Asian   bigotry, racism, and all hateful speech and violent action related   to COVID-19; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge federal,   state, and local law enforcement officials to investigate and   document all credible reports of hate crimes, incidents, and   threats against the Asian American community in Texas.