ALBANY – NYGOP Chair Ed Cox released the following statement in recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which begins today:

“Asian Americans’ rich history of service and sacrifice to our Nation is a fundamental part of the American story. We honor this month the many contributions and diverse experiences of the Asian American community, an essential element of America’s cultural tapestry.

“At the same time, we recognize that Asian Americans have increasingly been victims of racially motivated violence, a problem exacerbated by far-left policies of defunding the police and releasing dangerous criminals back onto the streets.

“Additionally, insidious race-based affirmative action policies have led to race quotas on Asian Americans at our nation’s elite institutions to this very day. Any policy that penalizes an applicant for their race is a racist policy. Republicans will not give up the fight for merit-based, race-blind admission and hiring policies until every American has an equal opportunity to pursue the American dream.”

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