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Andy Kim

19 May, 8 tweets, 4 min read

To my Republican colleagues. Before voting today I ask one last time for you to vote YEA on Jan6commission. I ask you to stop in the Rotunda and remember what it looked like that day. I know I’ll never forget picking up trash with my bare hands as I collapsed on my knees. THREAD

As we walk through the Capitol halls to vote today, I ask you to read the quotes on the wall. There is wisdom in these walls. The Capitol and the Constitution are one and the same. The Capitol is the physical manifestation of the Constitution and it demands our respect. 2/8

I ask you to look down at the floor in Statuary Hall and see the plaque that marks the desk of Abraham Lincoln and reflect on the fact that we work a job that Lincoln himself held. Let us be humbled by the history surrounding us and rise up to his great example. 3/8

I ask that you remember the blood shed that day in the Capitol. Remember that a woman was shot and killed mere feet from where we will be voting. A brave officer was killed protecting us. This is not about politics, it’s about truth. We have no healing unless we have truth.4/8

I ask that you look at this plaque in the Capitol that marks the cornerstone put in place by George Washington. The Capitol is bigger than all of us. What happened on Jan6 is bigger than all of us. We are but mere caretakers of this beautiful building and democracy. 5/8

As you walk through the doors of the House Chamber, remember the broken glass and guns drawn on that day. Those sacred doors where Presidents enter to give the State of the Union were smashed and barricaded. All of us bore witness to that tragic day. Remember what we saw. 6/8

I say this final plea for you to vote YEA on this commission because I want to believe that you love this building as much as I do. We deeply disagree about policies and the nature and state of power in politics. But no one can stand in the rotunda and not feel the awe.7/8

We have responsibility to those before us and those after us to be humble stewards of this building. That fragile preciousness is what we are trying to protect with this commission. To never allow again the desecration of this temple of our democracy. Let truth be truth.END

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More from @AndyKimNJ

Andy Kim

@AndyKimNJ

9 May

While we celebrate #MothersDay let’s also commit to keeping moms safe. I updated words I recently wrote about AAPI moms, many are victims of violence. Attackers target AAPI moms thinking they are vulnerable&weak. What they don’t know is that AAPImoms are strongest among us.THREAD

GRIT: I visited Atlanta last month to talk with children of spa shooting victims. They all said their moms were hardworking. Long hours, careful spending to save for family/retirement. One said mom “worked so hard to have it end that way.” Another said “She’s finally resting”2/10

ENDURANCE:Their powerful reflections hit me hard. When I was young, my mom worked night shift as hospital nurse so she could take care of sister and me during daytime. I asked her once when she had time to sleep. She said simply, “I don’t know.” Moms have superhuman strength.3/10

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Andy Kim

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4 May

My wife wasn’t thrilled when I put this Lego Millennium Falcon on our wedding registry. To not seem completely self-indulgent, I told her I’d wait until we had kids to build it. Today, after 10 patient years, the adventure begins. #MayThe4th #MayThe4thBeWithYou

UPDATE #1: Kids started with Darth Vader and Chewbacca. Then fought epic battles and lost focus. 45 pieces down, 1209 to go. We have built something that looks like a chassis for the falcon. Will keep you posted on progress. This may take another 10 years

UPDATE #2: I heard some noise that woke me up at 630am and came downstairs to find my 5 yr old boy working on the Falcon by himself. He did a couple of big build steps all on his own. I’m a proud dad this morning.

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Andy Kim

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1 May

Today is the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage month, and I ask you (everyone not just AAPIs) to do at least one action. It’s been a tough year for AAPIs. Hear Us, See Us for who we are. I made this #AAPIHeritageMonth guide with ideas to do. Please share. #APAHM (THREAD)

WATCH: I often get asked how to learn about AAPI history. I’ll admit I don’t know as much as I should too. Please set aside time to watch this PBS series on the history of Asian Americans. AAPI history is American history, for all of us to learn(2/20) pbs.org/weta/asian-ame…

READ: There are a lot of good books and people should recommend others. One that is really informative about Asian American history is Erika Lee’s THE MAKING OF ASIAN AMERICA (3/20) amazon.com/Making-Asian-A…

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Andy Kim

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26 Apr

This is India’s moment of need and America must answer the call to help. Biden admin announced strong initial steps. I urge Biden to now authorize release of AstraZeneca vaccine to India and other allies. Alliances are tested in the darkest of days, and we must step up. THREAD

India accounts for nearly half of all new cases globally if you only count the numbers reported (millions in last week) Mass cremations across India tell story of vast underreporting as numbers are undoubtedly higher. It’s a true crisis. 2/9

Today, the Biden Admin announced the U.S. is going to send resources and supplies to India to help with vaccine production, and to deliver oxygen and therapeutics for those suffering. This is the right move. But we can do better and more. 3/9

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Andy Kim

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20 Apr

#GeorgeFloyd was murdered. We knew that the moment we watched the video of his death. Today’s verdict affirms this truth and gives our nation a chance for justice. THREAD

While no verdict could erase the trauma of losing a loved one, I hope that this provides some sense of closure to George Floyd’s family. 2/7

I hope it provides hope for the families of Black men and women who have lost their lives to a broken system; a system that has failed both communities of color and the brave men and women of law enforcement. 3/7

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Andy Kim

@AndyKimNJ

17 Apr

Many told me they struggle with decision to end Afghan war. Don’t want war forever, but feel uncertain. That is normal. Ending war does not end pain from 9/11. I took this GroundZero photo. Had with me working in Kabul and now in my Congressional office. Never forget.(THREAD)

Ending a war should never be easy, especially when it carries out collective trauma. Despite working in Afghanistan in 2011, visiting in 2019, and being on Armed Services/Foreign Affairs Committees, I still struggle too on what to do next. Here are some ways to think through.2/20

ORIGINAL MISSION: When Congress authorized the war, the sole objective identified in authorization (2001 AUMF) states: “in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.” Stop future attacks. 3/20

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