[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 21, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H5301-H5302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ASIAN AND PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentlewoman from Hawaii [Mrs. Mink] is recognized during 
morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity this 
morning to acknowledge a celebration that has been ongoing throughout 
the month of May, which is the month in which we celebrate Asian and 
Pacific American Heritage Month. This is a part of the permanent law 
which former Congressman Frank Horton was successful earlier in 
establishing recognition for a week each year. On his last year of 
service he was successful in having the whole month designated as Asian 
and Pacific American Heritage Month.
  Just this past week we had the opportunity of celebrating the Asian 
and Pacific American Institute banquet, at which President Clinton 
spoke and highlighted the importance of the Asian continent as well as 
the Pacific communities. In so doing he emphasized the importance of 
active participation of Asian Pacific-Americans in the United States 
and in all of their various activities, professionally, academically, 
in business and commerce, in international trade, and, in particular, 
in the Federal agencies and in the Federal Government and here in the 
Congress in both the House and the Senate.
  The March 1994 population of Asian Pacific-Americans is estimated at 
nearly 9 million, and we account for about 3 percent of America's 
population. It is a growing number, probably the fastest growing ethnic 
group in the country.
  So we take great delight in recognizing the achievements of our 
constituencies throughout the United States, their academic excellence 
and achievements spread over a wide variety of subject areas, most 
notably in math and science, where Asian and Pacific-Americans excel 
with great prominence.
  The history of Asian and Pacific Members of Congress is noteworthy. 
There have been 17 Asian Pacific-Americans elected to Congress fom 1903 
to the present time. They included Chinese, Chamorro, Asian Indian, 
Japanese, Korean, native Hawaiian, and Samoan.
  The first Asian Pacific Member of Congress came from Hawaii. We was a 
native Hawaiian, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, who represented the 
territory of Hawaii as a nonvoting delegate from 1903 to 1922. He was 
responsible for the enactment of our Hawaiian Homestead Act, which is a 
basic land tenure program which has made it possible for many native 
Hawaiians to acquire land to build their homes and raise their 
families.

[[Page H5302]]

  The first voting Asian and Pacific-American Member of Congress was 
Dalip Singh Saund of California, an immigrant from India who served in 
the House from 1957 to 1963.
  The first Asian Pacific-American Senator was Senator Hiram Leong Fong 
from Hawaii, who served from 1959 to 1976.
  Currently we have nine sitting Members of both the House and the 
Senate that make up our congressional Asian Pacific Caucus, which was 
formed on May 16, 1994, to establish an effort in the Congress to cause 
other Members of Congress perhaps to be more sensitive and aware of 
Asian and Pacific-American issues within their own constituencies.
  The caucus idea came about from former Congressman Norm Mineta, and 
he is to be congratulated for having put in the effort to organize this 
caucus.
  The Member of the House of Representatives who has the most Asian and 
Pacific Members is Congressman Neil Abercrombie from the First District 
in Hawaii, and his constituency is about 66.5 percent Asian Pacific. In 
my own case, the second district, I have about 57 percent Asian 
Pacific. The gentlewoman from California [Ms. Pelosi] has the next 
highest at 27.8 percent.
  The other participant of our caucus who has been instrumental in 
leading the fight on all of the Asian Pacific issues throughout his 
entire tenure is the gentleman from California [Mr. Matsui]. The other 
Members, the gentleman from American Samoa, Mr. Faleomavaega, the 
gentleman from Guam, Mr. Underwood, Senator Inouye, Senator Akaka, and 
Senator Murray, all constitute the original membership of our caucus. 
Recently we added 10 additional Members.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit the following material for the Record:

Remarks of Congressman Neil Abercrombie in Celebration of Asian Pacific 
                 American Heritage Month, May 21, 1996

       Now, more than ever, the need to recognize America's rich 
     and diverse cultures is crystal clear. America is at a 
     crossroads and a few would rather forget that this is a 
     nation built by immigrants whose ancestral roots trace back 
     to every corner of the earth.
       Asian Pacific American Heritage Month gives us the 
     opportunity to acknowledge one of the great communities of 
     this country. Across this nation, over 7.3 million Asian and 
     Pacific Islanders make America their home. Asian and Pacific 
     Islanders have made notable contributions in industry, 
     education, science and government. Along with other immigrant 
     groups, Asian and Pacific Americans helped to strengthen the 
     fabric of American society.
       Against the backdrop of America's multicultural society, 
     the push for ``English-Only'' and other anti-immigrant 
     measures are indefensible and are an affront to the heart of 
     this nation. During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and 
     every month of every year, let us not forget what we so often 
     take for granted: America has been made great by the 
     collective contributions of every group who has settled in 
     this country. The distinguished contributions of Asian 
     Pacific Americans are a superb example.


                   congressional asian pacific caucus

       The Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus was formed on May 
     16, 1994 to establish an organized effort within the Congress 
     to advocate for the needs of Asian Pacific Americans.

    Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Executive Committee:

       Neil Abercrombie (HI-1)--66.5%.
       Patsy T. Mink (HI-2)--57.0%.
       Nancy Pelosi (CA-8)--27.8%.
       Robert Matsui (CA-5)--13.9%.
       Eni Faleomavaega (AS)--?.
       Robert Underwood (GU)--?.
       Sen. Daniel Inouye (HI)--55.6% (State of Hawaii).
       Sen. Daniel Akaka (HI)--55.6% (State of Hawaii).
       Sen. Patty Murray (WA)--5.7% (State of Washington).

           New Member of Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus:

       Tom Lantos (CA-12)--25.6%.
       Matthew Martinez (CA-31)--22.8%.
       Xavier Becerra (CA-30)--21.2%.
       Zoe Lofgren (CA-16)--21.1%.
       Nydia Velazquez (NY-12)--19.6%.
       Pete Stark (CA-13)--19.4%.
       Ronald Dellums (CA-9)--15.6%.
       Bob Filner (CA-50)--14.8%.
       Anna Eshoo (CA-14)--12.2%.
       Lucille Roybal Allard (CA)--4.0%.


                    notable asian pacific americans

       Asian Pacific Americans have made significant contributions 
     to the United States and the world in a variety of ways. In 
     the arts, academia, business, sports, politics, Asians have 
     reached the top of their field:
       I.M. Pei, the internationally renowned architect.
       Samuel C.C. Ting who won the Nobel Prize in physics.
       Ellison Onizuka, one of the seven astronauts of the 
     Challenger.
       Christie Yamaguchi, the young figure skating Olympic 
     champion.
       Vivienne Tam, fashion designer who built a $10 million 
     business.
       Amy Tan, Author.
       Elaine Chao, head of the United Way.
       Robert Nakasone, CEO of Toys R Us.
       Brigadier General John L. Fugh, Former Judge Advocate 
     General of the Army.
       Chang Lin Tien, Chancellor, University of California--
     Berkley.


                   asian pacific members of congress

       Seventeen Asian Pacific Americans have been elected to 
     Congress from 1903 to the present. Their ancestry has 
     included Chinese, Chamorro, Asian Indian, Japanese, Korean, 
     Native Hawaiian, and Samoan.
       The First Asian Pacific Member of Congress was Prince Jonah 
     Kuhio Kalanianole (Native Hawaiian) who represented the 
     Territory of Hawaii as a non-voting delegate from 1903 to 
     1922. The first voting Asian Pacific American Member of 
     Congress was Dalip Singh Saund (D-CA), an immigrant from 
     India who served in the House from 1957 to 1963.
       The first Asian Pacific American Senator was Hiram Leong 
     Fong (R-HI), who served from 1959 to 1976. Senator Fong was 
     also the first American of Chinese ancestry elected to the 
     Congress.
       Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink was the first Asian Pacific 
     woman to serve in the House, serving from 1964 to 1976, and 
     from 1990 to present.
       There have been only two Asian Pacific American women in 
     the Congress--Patsy T. Mink (D-HI) and Patricia Saiki (R-HI).

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