Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has said Virginia is a leader in inclusive growth of communities in a successful way.
He was speaking to a diversity media gathering along with Fairfax Democrats.
Virginia, which is home to a large population of diverse cultures, has seen Asian, South Asian and African communities grow together.
Herring, who grew up in Loudon county, noted that his own senate district was 20 percent asians, 18 percent Latino, 13.5 percent African-American – a majority in minority.
“That kind of diversity is an asset for us – something to be celebrated,” said Herring, who will seek re-election in 2017.
Northern Virginia is a leader in that kind of inclusive growth of communities .
“I think we can show to the rest of the nation why this kind of diversity is good — economically and culturally.”
Herring’s remarks came as Democrats and Republicans debates over immigration issues heated up ahead of the 2016 presidential election, with some candidates advocating a strict check on immigration, while others advocating a more comprehensive approach that meets U.S. economic growth needs.
The attorney general said “if we are continuing to be a leader in world economy, we’ve got to embrace this demographic transformation.”
He also appreciated the sizable Pakistani-American community for contributing to economic development of Virginia through participation and hard work in many professional fields and businesses.
