It’s been an historic couple of days in Delaware for the Asian American Pacific Islander community.

Governor John Carney (D-DE) signed two bills into law Thursday. One makes his state the seventh in the nation to integrate Asian American and Pacific Islander history into k-12 schools along with all other American histories.

The other establishes a statewide Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage and Culture.

The commission was proposed by Y.F. Lou, co-director of Make US Visible Delaware and Devin Jiang, the other co-director and student at the University of Delaware.

“We can’t have a democracy when certain groups don’t have seats at the decision-making table. AAPIs don’t have seats in many rooms. HB 322 will elevate our voices and allow our community to play an important role in the public policymaking process,” said Jiang.

Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend and Representative Bill Bush advanced the bill through the legislature.

“When AAPIs come together, we can address issues of importance to our community, whether in healthcare, business, or education. The list goes on. We’re stronger together,” Jiang said.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up approximately 4% of the state’s population. Indian Americans make up the largest subgroup representing 18,000 of the 54,000 AAPIs in the state, according to APIA Vote.

Delaware is just the seventh state in the nation to mandate AAPI history in its schools.

The others are Illinois, New Jersey, Connectticut, Rhode Island, Florida, and Wisconsin.

“We have invested in a lasting legacy for our future generations to promote a more inclusive and culturally aware society. Now, my children, and countless others, will not feel left out of U.S. history,” said Lou.

by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, Senator Sturgeon, Representative Sophie Phillips, and Representative Bill Bush sponsored the bill.

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