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.