[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2000

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Asian Pacific 
American Heritage Month. It's important that we recognize the rich 
cultural heritage of the Asian and Pacific Islander American community 
and all that they have contributed to America and American values.
  All too often, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans are subject to 
prejudice and acts of violence. We must resolve to repair the damage 
done from past abuses and recognize and promote equality in every walk 
of life and in every way possible.
  I introduced H. Con. Res. 111 to condemn acts of prejudice against 
Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and support political and civic 
participation by Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. I'm also proud 
to be a co-sponsor of legislation and a signatory on several letters 
that recognize the rich heritage of Asian and Pacific Americans and 
condemn past wrongs.
  I ask my fellow colleagues to join me in supporting the following 
bills and letters:
  I'm proud to be a signatory of Representative Matsui's open letter in 
support of the President's initiative aimed at preserving WWII-era 
Japanese American Internment Camps in order to educate future 
generations about lessons learned from this stain on our nation's 
history.
  I'm proud to be a co-sponsor of the Wartime Parity and Justice Act 
which would grant relief to Japanese Latin Americans who were abducted 
and unlawfully interned in the United States but who were not included 
in the settlement agreement signed into law by the Civil Liberties Act 
of 1988.
  I call for the leadership of the Congress to move forward without 
delay on the nomination of Bill Lann Lee as the Assistant Attorney 
General for Civil Rights and I pay tribute to the efforts of the 
Administration to act on Bill Lann Lee's appointment.
  The President has appointed more Asian Pacific Americans to 
Administration positions and the Federal bench than any other 
President. In June 1999, the Clinton-Gore Administration issued an 
Executive Order dedicated to improving the lives of Asian Pacific 
Americans, the first of its kind ever issued. President Clinton has 
also proposed $698 million for civil rights enforcement this year--a 13 
percent increase--to prosecute criminal civil rights cases, including 
hate crimes and police misconduct.
  Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have suffered unfounded and 
demagogic accusations of disloyalty throughout the history of the 
United States. We should, instead, recognize the rich cultural heritage 
of the Asian and Pacific Islander American community and all they have 
contributed to America and American values.
  We must never forget the strength our country has gained from the 
inspiration, the hard work, the loyalty and the leadership of Asian and 
Pacific Americans and all they contribute to the strength of our 
nation.

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