U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), along with U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) and Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), hosted a Commonwealth Coffee on March 15, 2025, in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The gathering took place at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.

During the event, members of Congress delivered remarks and engaged with AANHPI leaders who had traveled from across Virginia to celebrate the community’s cultural heritage and contributions, according to a statement from Senator Kaine’s office.

Virginia House Delegates JJ Singh from House District 26, Kathy Tran from House District 18, and Atoosa Reaser from House District 27 were also present among others. 

“I’m thrilled to be here today celebrating the enormous contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander diasporas in Virginia,” said Senator Warner. “When I look out at this room, I see what makes our Commonwealth great – that we welcome folks from across the globe with the promise that anyone can come here and be an American. My hope is that we continue to make Congress, our business community, our school boards, and everywhere in between look a little more like this brilliant, inspiring room.”

Senator Kaine reflected on Virginia’s demographic transformation and economic progress over the decades.

“It is so nice to welcome you here to celebrate this important month commemorating our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community’s contributions to Virginia and to the nation,” he said. “When I was born, one out of 100 Virginians was born in another country, and we were a poor state.”

Kaine noted that today, nearly one in nine Virginians is foreign-born. “We’re a top quarter per capita income state. We’ve done it through a number of things, but we’ve done it by welcoming talented people from all around the globe,” he added.

Representative Subramanyam, the first South Asian and Hindu American member of Congress from Virginia, spoke to the growth of AANHPI representation in public service.

“Looking out at the crowd today, I can’t help but feel moved by how much our community has grown,” said Subramanyam. “When I started in the Virginia Legislature, I had the opportunity to create our very first Virginia AAPI Caucus (VAAPIC). It’s been wonderful to see the caucus grow so much. While I am the first South Asian member to serve in Congress from Virginia, I know I won’t be the last.”

Representative Scott emphasized the importance of honoring AANHPI heritage and maintaining policies that promote inclusion. “As a member of the Congressional Asian American Pacific American Caucus, and as the only Member of Congress with Filipino ancestry, I am proud to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month during the Month of May,” he said.

He also addressed recent political shifts impacting diversity efforts. “The AANHPI community has contributed so much to the fabric of the United States. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has moved quickly to dismantle many programs designed to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

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