Today was my final vote in the House. As I walk out of the chamber for last time, I wanted to share something almost no one notices. The center aisle, the one the President walks down for SOTU, the aisle that divides the R and D sides, ends at an inscription of “Tolerance.”THREAD
It caught my eye the very first time I stepped into the House chamber when first elected. There is a desk in front of it so you can’t see it on TV. I thought it was a curious choice for such a central location. I’ve thought about it for a long time. Why “tolerance?” 2/11
Tolerance isn’t a particularly inspiring word. In fact it can sound a bit negative. Tolerating noise or bad behavior etc. That’s why political leaders often use “unity.” Why isn’t the word “unity” inscribed in this central location? 3/11
Our most famous motto is E Pluribus Unum. It’s scribed on the ceiling of the capitol dome. I’ve come to believe tolerance is a critical part of how the “Many” become “One”. Tolerance shows a path towards togetherness while still recognizing the challenges of differences.
4/11
It is not that we perfectly blend in a melting pot or assimilate to some singular sense of being American. Tolerance inherently recognizes that differences exist, unity does not. Sometimes the word unity gives the impression of like mindedness, agreement and complete harmony.5/11
I’ve come to like that there’s a grittiness to tolerance. It sets expectations grounded in the reality of plurality. It accepts as a fundamental fact that not everything can be fully agreed upon. That persuasion alone won’t solve our problems. 6/11
Tolerance exists in the space between unity and disunity. It embraces the idea that our belief in freedom is more important than our disagreement or discomfort in how someone else lives their life. 7/11
Tolerance rejects the notion that we are enemies. It means respect for one another despite differences. It rejects separation and segregation and instead embraces co-existence. 8/11
Tolerance is not weakness. It does not mean compromising one’s values nor turning blind eyes to hate. JFK said, “Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.” 9/11
Now societal implementation of tolerance isn’t easy. How do we forge a tolerance that flows in all directions? I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I do think there’s value in the concept and that it should be thought with similar rigor as we do towards unity. 10/11
Now I walk to the other side of the Capitol, to the Senate. I look forward to exploring symbols there. But I take note that the Senate center doors that I enter draw a perfect straight line across the Capitol to the center aisle of the House, and this inscription of Tolerance.END
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This is the most telling photo I’ve seen — Trump/Vance berating a wartime leader fighting against invasion directly in front of a bust of Churchill. It looks like Churchill is seated in the back, watching Trump kill the very US-Europe alliance that Churchill helped forge. THREAD
Why was the Oval Office exchange so humiliating to watch? It’s because every American alive today was born after the Greatest Generation led America’s rise to global leadership. What we saw yesterday was a surrender that could very well lead to American decline. 2/10
What we saw was a retreat from three basic pillars of American leadership: reliability, values, and impact. These are pillars that have been built over generations - from Americans landing on the beaches of Normandy onwards. 3/10
As Trump and Musk gut USAID today, I think back to my first day ever working for the US gov, showing up at the Reagan Building to start at USAID. Shame on them for demonizing Americans who are serving our nation, often in difficult and dangerous places. THREAD
We can have a policy debate about how much to spend internationally or what programs to fund, but their hate and paranoia towards other Americans go much deeper. I’m proud I worked at USAID. 2/8
I worked in USAID/Africa bureau where we helped rehabilitate former child soldiers in Uganda, helped with an emerging famine in Malawi. Trump admin complains about China’s growing influence in Africa but then shuts down one of our best tools to fight this. 3/8
I just talked to the family of Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed on Jan 6. He grew up in NJ, served his nation, but was assaulted and killed. His assailants sentenced to prison until pardoned by Trump. Let us lift up Sicknick’s name and memory: THREAD
Officer Sicknick’s family’s pain today was so deep. That Trump used his first hours in office pardoning so many involved in that attack on the Capitol including the two of the assailants that attacked Officer Sicknick. It was a betrayal. 2/7
Let’s lift up Officer Sicknick’s name. Let’s remind everyone that an officer was attacked and killed that day. Sicknick laid in state in the Capitol Rotunda, honored by our nation as lawmakers from BOTH sides of the aisle, and now those who killed him are free. 3/7
I’ve been asked what it means to be 1st Korean American Senator. On this Korean American day, I want to share a photo of the home where my mom grew up during Korean War. America opened its doors and helped her become a nurse. Last week she stood with me as I was sworn in. THREAD
And it isn’t just my mom’s story. Over 120 yrs since the first Koreans came to America. Now there are 2 million Korean Americans. 24 million Asian Americans. Asian Americans are not monolithic.
I of course do not speak for all, nor is my story and experience reflective of all. 2/10
In fact I’ve struggled with my identity over my life. At times I resisted the label Korean/Asian American and snapped back with “I’m just American.”
I never would have imagined that Korean culture would become hugely popular between BTS, Squid Game, Korean BBQ, K-dramas etc. 3/10
Many in north/central NJ are worried about odor/taste of water coming out of the tap. As a father of two boys, I absolutely understand your worries. I talked with heads of NJ Dept of Environmental Protection and American Water.
Here are 4 key questions I asked: THREAD
IS THE WATER SAFE?
DEP/American Water report that water is well within NJ standards, which are some of the strictest in nation. They test for 100s of kinds of metals/ chemical compounds. Results are either non-detection or very low and far below levels of health concerns. 2/10
DO WE KNOW SOURCE OF ODOR/TASTE?
I completely understand if that explanation of water safety is not totally reassuring to those of you that smell/taste something wrong. You have a right to be concerned. Absolute key is identifying what is the compound that is causing the odor. 3/10