Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, December 14, Assemblymember Grace Lee joined a select delegation of Assemblymembers to attend in Action: Building a Better New York, an event held at the White House in Washington D.C. At this event, Assemblymember Lee engaged in insightful discussions on federal initiatives impacting New York State. Other prominent Asian American leaders in attendance included State Senator Iwen Chu and APAPA New York Chapter President Michelle Wang (王曉薇).

This event was held as part of a White House series showcasing local elected officials and community leaders actively working to create opportunities and enhance the lives of their constituents. The event highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's investments and positive impacts in communities across New York, and emphasized the crucial role played at the local level by Assemblymember Lee and her colleagues to execute federal policies.

“I am honored to have been invited to the White House to engage in conversations about initiatives that impact New York,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee. “This event was an important opportunity for me to make my constituents’ voices heard; as one of the only Asian American leaders invited, it also gave me a chance to represent the needs of Asian American New Yorkers. Open communication with our partners in the federal government is critical, as it fosters collaboration and enables us to work together and provide better resources for our communities. I had many important discussions to further my work to uplift New Yorkers.”

During her visit to Washington D.C., Assemblymember Lee also met with prominent federal leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Dan Goldman, and Rep. Grace Meng. These discussions focused on Assemblymember Lee's work in her district, including her recent introduction of the Hate Crimes Modernization Act, legislation that strengthens New York law to ensure the perpetrators of hate crimes are held accountable for their actions. This upcoming year, Assemblymember Lee plans to work with members of the federal government to further initiatives to uplift residents in her Lower Manhattan district.