In a recent visit to Arcadia High School (AHS) on Oct. 3, Congresswoman Judy Chu delivered a message about the importance of civic engagement and the upcoming election, emphasizing that we are just over a month away from what she described as “the most important election of our time.” Chu urged students to vote and encourage their friends and family to do the same, stressing the impact this election will have on the country’s future.
When asked about California’s $68 billion budget deficit and the upcoming vote on the $358 million bond Measure AS in Arcadia, Chu emphasized the importance of the bond measure, stating, “Fixing our school facilities is crucial. We must address the dangers of asbestos and lead paint, as these hazards endanger lives. Arcadia’s schools haven’t been renovated since the 1950s. I encourage all parents to vote ‘yes’ on Measure AS.”
She also highlighted her support for educational programs like Head Start, Title I funding, and student loan aid. Threats to these programs are posed by initiatives like Project 2025, which could dismantle the Department of Education.
The stark choice voters face is whether or not to continue protecting individual rights and democratic institutions or revert to a Trump administration that she believes would be more harmful than before.
“Project 2025 outlines drastic changes, including the dismissal of civil servants based on loyalty to Trump and potential revenge tactics against critics,” she warned.
Chu, the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress, shared her personal journey to political office, recounting how she never believed it was possible for someone like her to be a member of Congress. However, when a group of Monterey Park residents tried to push an “English-only” initiative that sought to make it the city’s official language, Chu, who was a local council-member at the time, joined a coalition to fight against the resolution.
Her path eventually led her to Congress, where she has campaigned on critical issues, including the Monterey Park shooting that occurred on the eve of Lunar New Year in Jan. of 2023. Addressing AHS students, Chu described the community’s shock and her efforts to support the affected businesses, while advocating for legislation aimed at reducing gun violence in non-English speaking communities. She also advocated for environmental issues, particularly her 20-year campaign for the San Gabriel Mountains to be designated as a national monument, which has led to increased funding and resources for preservation efforts.
In 2011, she was elected as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and has played a pivotal role in combating rising anti-Asian hate and xenophobia that intensified during the pandemic, notably advocating for the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to protect the rights of Asian Americans. In light of the struggle for reproductive rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, she continues to lead efforts in Congress to restore these protections.
Chu’s visit served as a reminder of the impact young voices and individuals can have in shaping their communities, the importance of staying informed and engaged in the democratic process, and the crucial need for more young voices in the political spectrum.
