[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING THE REVEREND PETER CHEI ON RECEIVING HIS U.S. 
                              CITIZENSHIP

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, it is a great honor and privilege to 
extend congratulations to the Reverend Peter (Yee Chung) Chei as he 
celebrates the granting of his United States citizenship on Friday, 
October 16th, 1998. Reverend Peter Chei has served our nation admirably 
during the thirty-three years he has made his home on our shores, and 
now, as a United States citizen, his continuing commitment to this 
nation has been sealed with the words of the Oath of Allegiance. The 
United States has thereby greatly profited.
  The Reverend Peter Chei has long been held in my highest regard. His 
dedication to the redemptive mission of Christ has been an inspiration 
for many people across the state of Missouri, this country, and the 
world.
  It was my good fortune to meet Reverend Chei when he was still living 
in Hong Kong. His father had escaped with the Chei family to Hong Kong 
after the communists took over the Chinese mainland in 1950. The trials 
faced by the Chei family as they were uprooted from Peter's birthplace 
parallel the trials faced by many of America's first adopted citizens 
escaping religious persecution. Peter Chei's decision to move to the 
United States in 1965 and his decision to become a United States 
citizen are made all the more meaningful by this stark comparison.
  Having arrived in this country, Reverend Chei determined to serve God 
and his adopted country through a life of evangelism. His long history 
of ministerial and community service demonstrates his commitment. 
Reverend Chei has volunteered as Head Start Policy Council President, 
Head Start Parents Association President, Coordinator for the American 
Bible Society, Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer, Coordinator 
for the International Year of Bible Reading, Coordinator for the 1999 
Year of the Bible, and as a member of the Crosswalk Teen Center. The 
Reverend Peter Chei founded Missouri Head Start Parents' Association, 
Singles and Families Educational Seminar, Christians Together in the 
City of Nevada, His Hope House, the Christian Artist Series, Hope for 
America, and Missionary to America. He has taken on all of these extra 
responsibilities while serving faithfully as a minister of music and as 
a pastor.
  I consider it a great blessing to be counted among Reverend Chei's 
friends and it is my distinct honor to salute this patriot on the 
occasion of his swearing in as a citizen of our great country.

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