New Jersey Commission Will Advocate For Asian American Residents

NEW JERSEY — A new state commission in New Jersey is being given a tall task: to advocate for one of the largest populations of Asian American and Pacific Islander residents in the nation.

On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed A-5737/S-3763 into law, establishing the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission within the Department of State. The commission is charged with developing policies to address the social and economic needs of the growing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in New Jersey.

Under the new law, the commission will be required to submit an annual report to the governor and the state Legislature.

“As the fastest-growing ethnic group, our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is a key part of the great diversity in our state,” Murphy said.

“While we celebrate the important contributions they make to our society and economy, we also recognize the challenges they encounter to access economic resources and opportunities,” Murphy continued. “With [Monday’s] bill signing, this newly created commission will represent this diverse population and ensure to advocate on behalf of AAPI throughout New Jersey.”

The bill’s primary sponsors, Senators Vin Gopal and Linda Greenstein and Assemblymembers Raj Mukherji, Sterley Stanley and Gordon Johnson, each said the new commission will be a boost to the AAPI community.

Gopal, a founding member of the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, said that one of the commission’s goals will be to raise awareness about the many contributions that AAPI residents have made to New Jersey.

“New Jersey has welcomed immigrants from around the world since its very founding,” Gopal said, adding that the state is home to one of the largest percentage of Asian American and Pacific Islander residents in the nation.

Assemblymembers Mukherji, Stanley and Johnson also expressed high hopes for the commission in a joint statement:

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their diverse culture play a significant role in New Jersey. This commission will ensure representation and access to resources by raising awareness to several challenges facing the AAPI community and focusing on addressing the needs of these communities. Their work will help the state develop ways to recognize the cultures and tackle the social, economic and health needs of the AAPI community.”

Greenstein said that the commission’s work will be more important than ever in the wake of “hate-fueled acts” geared towards the AAPI community that New Jersey has seen over the last year.

“All cultures and ethnicities deserve to be treated fairly and equitably, and my hope with this commission is that we can better educate our residents about AAPI culture and provide this community with various resources to aid them,” Greenstein said.

• See related article: NJ Bias Incidents Against Asians Up 82%, New Data Shows
• See related article: Rutgers Law School Dean Trailblazes For Asian-American Women
• See related article: Millburn-Based Professor Talks About Asian Stereotypes

Send news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.