[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2000

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of my 
colleagues to a special remembrance during May of Asian/Pacific 
American Heritage Month. I would especially like to express 
appreciation and respect for Asian/Pacific Americans and their 
invaluable contributions to our country. Asian/Pacific Americans are an 
integral part of the diversity of this country. Mr. Speaker, the 
greatness of this country rests upon all its members embracing both the 
common bond of freedom and democracy, and equally, the fact that nearly 
all Americans are either immigrants themselves or descendants of 
immigrants, participating in a country and society of remarkable 
history and myriad cultural traditions. The Asian American community 
itself reflects the wonderful diversity of this country. Southeast 
Asians, South Asians, East Asians, and Pacific Islanders are all groups 
which have faced different obstacles and overcome different odds to 
their lives as Americans.
  The term Asian/Pacific American encompasses such a wide range of 
categories that it is doubly ironic that they have faced so many 
stereotypes, damaging assumptions, and injustices, in this country. Mr. 
Speaker, our country witnessed the honorable service of those patriotic 
Japanese American soldiers who fought in World War II, while their 
family members and friends were forced into internment camps. We should 
never forget the loyalty of Hmong veterans, Chinese-Americans who gave 
their lives building railroads across this country, South-Asian 
immigrants denied equal employment opportunities, and those Asian/
Pacific Americans who were the innocent victims of hate crimes.
  Despite the struggle that Asian/Pacific Americans have faced in this 
country, they have been among our nation's finest and greatest 
contributors, scientifically, economically, artistically, and 
politically. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely fortunate to work side-by-side 
with such great Asian/Pacific-Islander contributors as Congressman 
Faleomavaega, Robert Matsui, Patsy Mink, David Wu, and also, Mr. 
Underwood. They are not the only Asian Pacific-Islander leaders of 
note. I am especially privileged to work with such great humanitarians 
as Bill Lann Lee, the Acting Assistant Attorney General of Civil Rights 
and Harold Koh the Assistant Secretary of Democracy, Labor, and Human 
Rights. By appointing more Asian Pacific Americans than any former 
President has, President Clinton has, I hope, only begun what will 
become an increasing trend in political appointments.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a long list of Asian/Pacific Americans who have 
contributed intellectually and culturally to this country. Perhaps some 
of the most inspired and famous of these contributors are Asian/Pacific 
American women. ABC news correspondent Connie Chung has been a 
respected media presence for years. Doris Matsui, who is the current 
Deputy Assistant to the President has long been a prominent public 
service figure. Architect Maya Lin has given America an unforgettable 
monument to the Vietnam War. Writers Iris Chang, Jhumpa Lahiri, winner 
of this year's Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and Janice Mirikatani, the 
current Poet Laureate of San Francisco have gained wide-spread critical 
and popular recognition for their work. Two years ago, Kalpana Chawla 
became the first Indian American astronaut in space. Mr. Speaker, 
Asian/Pacific American women have truly taken the public spotlight with 
their accomplishments and courage.
  On a national level, we are all familiar with the scientific work of 
Dr. David Ho, an innovative researcher who has battled to fight the 
AIDS virus. Throughout the world, Mr. Speaker, we have the privilege of 
being surrounded by breath-taking architecture, and among the most 
amazing buildings are the exquisite structures which reflect the 
visions of I.M. Pei--the magnificent East Wing of the National Gallery 
of Art here in Washington, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in 
Boston, the entrance to the Louvre in Paris, and many others. Across 
the United States, people have been moved by the thoughtful essays of 
Ronald Takaki, the memoir-based fiction of Chang-Rae Lee, and the 
musical inspiration of Zubin Mehta and Yo-Yo Ma. We are all awed by the 
strength and grace of athletes such as Michelle Kwan, former 49er Jesse 
Sapolu, and golfer Tiger Woods.
  Mr. Speaker, I especially wanted to highlight three wonderful Asian/
Pacific American heroes in my home district of San Mateo/San Francisco. 
They are Alice Bulos, an activist for Filipino-American issues, Ann 
Ito, the co-founder of the League of Women Voters, and David Louie a 
premiere reporter seen on the local Channel 7 News. Mr. Speaker, these 
local pioneers are incredible contributors to the cultural vitality of 
the San Francisco Bay Area and an integral part of the active Asian/
Pacific American population which is a hallmark of the Bay Area.
  Mr. Speaker, to individually recognize each of the Asian/Pacific 
Americans who have made outstanding civic and social contributions to 
this society would be an endless task. However, I believe that this 
month we should take the time to understand and realize that every 
Asian/Pacific American in this country has faced varying levels of 
ignorance and harmful bias in this country. It is our duty as Members 
of Congress to fight against any intolerance or prejudice in this 
country and to congratulate the achievements of Asian/Pacific Americans 
which are, in the light of the past and present injustices perpetrated 
against them, especially triumphant. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my 
colleagues to join with me in celebrating the stirring history and the 
breath-taking diversity that Asian/Pacific Americans have given to this 
country.

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