[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 21, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H3153-H3154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Watts of Oklahoma). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Davis] is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me the 
time to speak. I would also like to thank my colleague, Representative 
Patsy Mink, for providing me with the opportunity to join her and 
others honoring Asian Pacific Americans in this country during the 
month of May. I join with my colleagues to celebrate this month and 
look forward to the day when we can have APA heritage month every day 
of the year.
  I take great pride in honoring the memory and the courage of all 
those brave Asian Pacific immigrants residing in the Chicago 
metropolitan area as well around the country. I look forward to working 
with the generations that have followed. As a result of their countless 
sacrifices and dreams for a better life--for them and their children--I 
have the opportunity to celebrate the many achievements of Asian 
Pacific Americans in virtually every facet of life today.
  I commend the Asian Pacific Americans in this country for their 
contributions to the arts, sciences, education, military, and 
government.
  From the Chinese who first came here for the California gold rush and 
later played a critically important role in building the 
transcontinental railroad in the mid-1800's. To the all Japanese-
American 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regiment Combat Team in 
World War II who became the most decorated unit in U.S. military 
history receiving over 18,000 individual decorations, including more 
than 9,000 Purple Hearts--in less than a year. They earned this honor 
despite being designated for internment in American concentration camps 
on the West coast during World War II. To the Asian-American war 
veterans who fought heroically for our Nation through many conflicts in 
the 20th century, including Filipinos, who, alongside soldiers from 
Maywood, IL, survived the Bataan Death March in the Philippines during 
World War II. To Hiram Fong, from Hawaii, who became the first Asian-
American elected to the U.S. Senate in 1959. To Maya Lin, designer of 
the Vietnam and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorials. To Dr. David Ho, an 
American of Chinese descent, who was recently named Time magazine's 
1996 Man of the Year Award for his breakthrough research that led to 
the development of the most effective treatments now available for the 
HIV virus, and finally to Gov. Gary Locke, an American of Chinese 
descent who was recently elected Governor of the State of Washington, 
becoming the first Asian-American elected Governor in the continental 
United States.
  Again, I salute the community and its many accomplishments. However, 
I also join with you in your struggles. I understand that the anti-
immigrant debate has plagued the community; the effects of welfare 
reform are being experienced today by many of the elderly poor; anti-
Asian violence is on the rise; the lack of good jobs has forced many 
Asian immigrant women into working in sweatshops; and the whole debate 
on campaign finance reform has targeted and portrayed the Asian Pacific 
American community in a very negative light--oftentimes questioning 
their loyalty to this country. I recognize that the attack on the 
immigrant community has come swiftly and severely in many forms, 
including providing an entree for the attack on much-needed affirmative 
action programs.
  Today, the Asian Pacific American community forms a vibrant and 
diverse group growing faster than any other minority group in America. 
Many members are economically successful Americans and distinguished in 
their own areas and others are newer immigrants facing very different 
circumstances. This creates a new host of issues that need to be 
addressed.
  Back home the State of Illinois ranks fifth in terms of States with 
the largest number of Asian Pacific Americans residing in that State. 
Cook County is home to the majority of these residents. Furthermore, 
the Seventh Congressional District is approximately 5 percent Asian 
Pacific American--largely consisting of those residents of the 
Chinatown area.
  I am proud to represent this area and join with my colleagues in the 
Asian Pacific American caucus today in celebrating these fine Americans 
in the Seventh Congressional District and beyond.

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