Recognizing National Dumpling Day

Floor Speech

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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor National Dumpling Day. National Dumpling Day was inaugurated back in 2015 in Brooklyn, NY and is now celebrated across America every year on September 26.

Dumplings made their humble beginnings in Ancient China, almost 1,800 years ago, where they were known as jiaozi. In America, dumplings were introduced in the mid-1800s by Chinese laborers building the transcontinental railroad. From Korean mandu and Chinese soup dumplings, to the Indian samosa and Tibetan momo, dumplings have become a world delicacy and bear tremendous cultural significance in our Asian Pacific American communities. Today, families come together across our country to the table to wrap, cook and enjoy this delightful treasure.

In the 7th Congressional District of New York, we are proud to have CJ TMI Foods, a part of CJ America, as one of the country's largest dumpling manufacturers and the founder of National Dumpling Day. Since 1989, CJ TMI Foods has been a minority-owned business, creating fresh and tasty dumplings and noodles. The company has grown exponentially over the years by expanding into new facilities and employing over 400 people. I admire their trailblazing mission of connecting and inspiring individuals of all cultural identities through exposure to Asian food.

Dumplings are more than just delicious comfort food, they are a bonding experience among many of our families. I ask my colleagues in the 116th Congress to join me in celebrating National Dumpling Day and recognizing the value these ubiquitous and delicious pockets of dough carry, unifying neighbors and sparking joy.

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