For more than a century and a half, Asian Pacific Americans have been integral to the fabric of American society. Our great nation affords an opportunity to all people - regardless of color or race - to fulfill their true potential; it also has had its share of dark moments: cruelty and discrimination against Asian Pacific Americans that was more often than not condoned by our government and overlooked by our fellow citizens.

The Asian Pacific American community is extremely diverse in our ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, religion, culture, sexual orientation, economic status, and political affiliation. This diversity in makeup and perspectives, however, is a strength as we unite to promote the well-being of our community and struggle against injustice that affects not only Asian Pacific Americans, but all Americans.

Therefore, be it resolved that the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans adopts the following policy principles:

• NCAPA supports efforts to recognize the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to American society, to promote understanding and appreciation of APA cultures, traditions, customs and heritage, and to promote multiracial, multi-ethnic, and multicultural unity and coalitions.
• NCAPA encourages Asian Pacific Americans to actively participate in the civic and political process by naturalizing, registering, voting, and seeking public office.
• NCAPA supports the appointment of qualified Asian Pacific Americans to positions in federal, state, and local governments.
• NCAPA supports policies and programs to redress past societal injustices to Asian Pacific Americans and to others.
• NCAPA supports policies and programs to advance the rights and welfare of groups that have been unfairly marginalized in the American society, including, among others, women, the elderly, children, and the disabled.
• NCAPA supports policies and programs to ensure equal educational, employment, and economic opportunities for Asian Pacific Americans and all others who face discrimination, including policies and programs that promote diversity.
• NCAPA supports policies and programs to ensure equal access to health care and welfare programs for Asian Pacific Americans and all others who face discrimination.
• NCAPA supports immigrant rights, including the family preference categories that have allowed many Asian Pacific Americans to immigrate to the United States, and safety net benefits for immigrants.
• NCAPA supports the inclusion of the Asian Pacific Islander categories in all government and private data collection efforts, including statistics and analyses concerning population, health, education, crime, and income.
• NCAPA condemns the economic exploitation of immigrant workers.
• NCAPA condemns hate crimes against Asian Pacific Americans and others, and supports efforts to prevent, prosecute, and collect data on such heinous crimes.
• NCAPA condemns stereotyping and scapegoating of Asian Pacific Americans, especially racial stereotypes that negatively characterize Asian Pacific Americans as "foreigners."