[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 9, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H6427-H6429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING PRINTING OF ``ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICANS IN 
                               CONGRESS''

  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 130) authorizing printing of the 
book entitled ``Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress.''
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 130

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICANS IN CONGRESS.

       (a) In General.--The book entitled ``Asian and Pacific 
     Islander Americans in Congress'', prepared by the Library of 
     Congress under the direction of the Joint Committee on 
     Printing, shall be printed as a House document.
       (b) Specifications.--The House document described in 
     subsection (a) shall include illustrations and shall be in 
     the style, form, manner, and binding as directed by the Joint 
     Committee on Printing.
       (c) Number of Copies.--In addition to the usual number of 
     copies, there shall be printed the lesser of--
       (1) 30,700 copies of the document described in subsection 
     (a), of which--
       (A) 25,000 shall be for the use of the Committee on House 
     Administration of the House of Representatives; and
       (B) 5,700 shall be for the use of the Committee on Rules 
     and Administration of the Senate; or
       (2) such number of copies of the document described in 
     subsection (a) as does not exceed a total production and 
     printing cost of $220,000, which copies shall be for the use 
     of the Committee on House Administration of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration 
     of the Senate in the same proportions as described in 
     paragraph (1).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Ney) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney).
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, again it is my pleasure to be here today to speak on 
behalf of this resolution authorizing the printing of this rich history 
of the Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress. It is also 
timely, as we now have eight Members of Asian and Pacific Islander 
descent serving in both the House and the Senate in the 107th Congress. 
Thirty-two Asian Pacific Americans have served in the United States 
Congress from 1903 to the present, including 13 Resident Commissioners 
from the Philippine Islands elected to the United States Congress from 
1907 to 1946. Currently six serve as Members to the House of 
Representatives and two serve as U.S. Senators.
  The first Asian American elected to Congress was Dalip Singh Saund, a 
Democrat from California. Saund was a Punjabi Sihk who immigrated to 
the United States from India and fought for Asian Americans to have the 
right to be naturalized. This led the way for his election to the 
United States House of Representatives in 1954 and opened the door to 
other Asian Americans. Members who followed in office reflected the 
vibrant diversity of the Asian and Pacific Islander population in 
California and Hawaii.
  The first Senator from Hawaii, Hiram Fong, was elected in 1959. 
Daniel Inouye, who was also elected in 1959 was Hawaii's first Member 
of the House. He has the distinction of having the longest 
Congressional service from any Asian American, spanning until

[[Page H6428]]

the present, as he now serves as a Senator. Two Asian Pacific Islander 
Members have been women, the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink) and 
Representative Patricia Saiki, who is also from Hawaii.
  Overall, a grand total of 32 Asian Pacific Islanders have served with 
distinction. We have reason to be proud of the many achievements they 
have brought to Congress and their service here.
  This is why the printing of this history is necessary. This book, 
``Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress,'' memorializes, by 
detailed account, the invaluable legacy that Asian Pacific Americans 
have left in their many years as Members of Congress.
  There is no doubt, that as individual Members, these Asian Pacific 
Americans have in different and invaluable ways, made important 
contributions to their country. As a whole, they have made a difference 
to Congress as an institution, to the positive side, and to the many 
issues which they have advocated before our Nation.
  I wanted to thank in particular the sponsor of this resolution, the 
gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) with whom I proudly serve. I would 
like to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the ranking 
member of the Committee on House Administration and his staff; and the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), who joins me here today. 
Additionally, I want to thank all who have supported this resolution 
and who have worked hard to bring it to the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am delighted to support this concurrent resolution, introduced by 
the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood). Let me just preface my 
comments by saying that I think it is proper today as a Hispanic Member 
of Congress from New York that we both honor our flag and honor the 
contribution of different Members because one thing September 11 and 
the aftermath has taught us in New York and throughout this country is 
that we are people that come from different communities from throughout 
the world, but we know how to come together as Americans.
  Today no one should misunderstand out of a time of coming together 
that we single out different groups because it was their contributions 
that also helped us become the Nation we are today.
  The new book authorized by this resolution will document the service 
of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress.
  From 1903 to the present, no fewer than 33 distinguished Asian and 
Pacific Islander Americans have walked these halls. Nine are serving 
their States and district with distinction today. These Members have 
hailed from such diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds as Chamorro, 
Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian, and Samoan.
  Of the 33 distinguished Members whose careers would be chronicled in 
this book, some are well known, such as the senior Senator from Hawaii, 
a bona fide war hero and Medal of Honor winner, and our Secretary of 
Transportation, Norman Mineta.
  Others are less well known, such as Representative Dalip Saund of 
California. An Indian American, Mr. Saund came to California in 1920 to 
attend college. Within a year of acquiring American citizenship, he was 
elected to a local judgeship. Just 6 years later, he won the first of 
three elections to this House, and served from 1957 to 1963.
  Mr. Speaker, these and other distinguished Asian and Pacific Islander 
Americans have played a critical role in the history of this 
institution. That role should be appropriately chronicled.
  This resolution will bring that about, gathering in one volume useful 
historical information for teachers, students, and others, describing 
the careers of the Asian and Pacific Islander Americans who have served 
in Congress to date.
  I am confident that this volume, like its predecessor volumes, 
``Black Americans in Congress,'' ``Hispanic Americans in Congress,'' 
and ``Women in Congress,'' will quickly become a tremendous resource, 
inspiring young people to seek careers in public service that may one 
day bring them to the halls of Congress.
  I greatly appreciate the foresight of the gentleman from Guam (Mr. 
Underwood) for introducing the resolution and the work of the 
distinguished chairman to bring it to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a yes vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I support H. Con. 
Res. 130, to authorize the printing of a book entitled ``Asian and 
Pacific Islander Americans in Congress'' to recognize the contributions 
and achievements of Asian and Pacific American members of Congress.
  Since 1903 thirty-three Asian and Pacific American men and women have 
served the American people in Congress as members of the House and 
Senate. Today, I am proud to serve alongside nine such Members who 
continued to break down ethnic barriers while representing America's 
ever growing diversity.
  In honor of this well deserved recognition, Mr. Speaker, I would like 
to call your attention to one particular former Member, our current 
Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta. The Honorable Mineta's 
career has been one of historic firsts.
  Norman Mineta's distinguished career has been marked by great 
achievements not only in his field of expertise, transportation, but as 
an Asian American in civil rights. Norman and his family were among the 
120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry forced from their homes and 
businesses into internment camps during World War II. Forty years later 
Mineta served as the driving force behind the passage of H.R. 442, the 
Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which officially apologized for and 
redressed the injustices endured by the Japanese Americans during World 
War II.
  Norman, like so many Asian Pacific Americans, has dedicated his life 
to public service. After graduating from the University of California 
at Berkeley, Mineta joined the Army and served as an intelligence 
officer in Japan and Korea. Norman entered politics in 1967, serving on 
the San Jose City Council until 1971 when he was elected Mayor. Norman 
Mineta was the First Asian Pacific American mayor of a major U.S. city. 
In 1975, Mineta was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where 
he represented the heart of California's Silicon Valley until 1995. 
Norman Mineta was known in this chamber for his commitment to the 
people of his district, for bipartisan consensus building, and for his 
policy achievements in transportation, technology, trade and the 
environment.
  After a brief turn in the private sector as a vice-president at 
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Mineta again answered the call of public 
service when he was appointed by President Clinton as Secretary of 
Commerce. Norman Mineta became the first Asian Pacific American to 
serve the cabinet. As a new administration came into office this year, 
Norman was again called into service by President Bush who appointed 
him as the Secretary of Transportation. Norman Mineta made another 
first as the first Secretary of Transportation to have previously 
served in a cabinet position.
  Throughout his career, Norman Mineta has never forgotten his 
commitment to the Asian Pacific American community. In 1994 he founded 
the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and served as its first 
chairman. The caucus is committed to advancing and promoting issues of 
concern to Asian Pacific Americans (APA) and ensuring that the concerns 
and needs of the APA community are met. The Caucus also works to 
educate other Members of Congress and the public about the history, 
contributions, and concerns of Asian Pacific Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the publication of ``Asian and Pacific 
Islander Americans in Congress'' in honor of our colleagues who, like 
Norman Mineta, have made history serving our country with pride.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of 
H. Con. Res. 130 which would authorize the printing of the book 
entitled, ``Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress.''
  This book will provide not only statistical information on Asians and 
Pacific Islanders who have served, and are serving our great Nation as 
Members of Congress. More importantly, this book expresses the deep 
conviction and belief that Asian and Pacific Islanders have in 
upholding and strengthening the freedom and democracy we all cherish 
and, indeed, need to protect.
  Our diverse population is the texture of the American fabric. Our 
racial differences bring to it the quality and value of a society that 
is able to embrace ethnic equality. We are, assuredly, a Nation of 
opportunities for all.
  The Asian and Pacific Islanders are proud of the 33 Members who have 
served in Congress from 1903 to present. Their contributions come from 
a broad range of cultures and experiences. Many served in our armed 
forces. Many have educated our children as

[[Page H6429]]

teachers. It seems fitting to recognize these individuals in a book 
dedicated to their contributions.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my gratitude to 
the House Administration Committee Chairman Bob Ney and Ranking Member 
Steny Hoyer for their exemplary leadership in moving House Concurrent 
Resolution 130 to the floor today. I would also like to take the 
opportunity to extend my appreciation to fellow colleagues from the 
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus for their support and co-
sponsorship of this resolution.
  The passage of this resolution would authorize the Library of 
Congress to print a book entitled ``Asian and Pacific Islander 
Americans in Congress'' for the first time. This book would chronicle 
the histories of all Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander 
descent from 1903 to the present and would complement the collection of 
historical references published by the Library of Congress which 
commemorate the histories of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and 
Women Members of Congress.
  In the history of Congress, there have been 33 Members who have 
served our nation, including 13 Members who were Resident Commissioners 
from the Philippines during the time it was a U.S. Territory. Benito Y 
Tuason Legarda and Pablo Ocampo were the first Filipinos elected as 
Resident Commissioners in the 60th Congress in 1907.
  Among the pioneers was Delegate Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, the first 
Pacific Islander in Congress who represented the Territory of Hawaii 
from 1903 to 1923. He also had the distinction of being a Native 
Hawaiian prince and member of the Hawaiian royal family.
  The first Asian American in Congress was Congressman Dalip Singh 
Saund from Imperial Valley, California. Congressman Saund was born in 
Amristar, India, and immigrated to the United States in 1920 to attend 
college. He later became a U.S. citizen and was elected to serve on the 
judicial branch in California before his election to the U.S. House of 
Representatives in 1957, where he served three consecutive terms.
  The first Delegate from Guam and Chamorro in Congress was Antonio B. 
Won Pat, who served six consecutive terms in Congress after winning his 
seat in 1973. Nearly a decade later, Delegate Fofo Isoefe Fiti Sunia 
became the first American Samoan in Congress in 1981.
  There have been many other pioneering Members of Congress, who broke 
through stereotypical barriers and stand with us today, including 
Senator Daniel K. Inouye who was elected in 1959 as Hawaii's first 
Representative to the U.S. House of Representatives and Congresswoman 
Patsy Mink who has the distinction of having been the first Asian 
American woman in Congress. Another important pioneer is former 
Congressman Norman Mineta, who helped to establish the annual 
commemoration of Asian Pacific American Heritage month in May and 
founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Today, Mr. 
Mineta continues to serve our nation as its Secretary of 
Transportation. His leadership in the Department of Transportation in 
the aftermath of the tragic attacks on our nation has been steadfast 
and strong. The security of our transportation systems have been 
reinforced and are now stronger than ever.

  As our country continues to heal from the terrorists attacks on 
September 11, 2001, which took the lives of more than 6,000 men, women, 
and children in New York City, Pennsylvania, and in our backyard at the 
Pentagon, we also must consider the backlash that has ensued against 
South Asian Americans in our country. In the week following the tragic 
attack, 645 Americans of Asian and Arab descent experienced incidents 
of the hate crimes against them. It is my hope that the production of 
this book will help to educate all Americans and pay tribute to the 
contributions that Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have achieved 
as Members of Congress. These Members have been teachers, lawyers, and 
public officials before serving in Congress. Some have endured and 
overcome the backlash of internment and racial profiling experienced 
during World War II. Some have served with our Nation's military with 
distinction and have become highly decorated war heroes. However, one 
fact remains among all of these 33 individuals, each one has embraced 
the ideals of our Constitution and our flag, and has fortified the 
fabric of our great Nation.
  The 107th Congress has 9 Members of Asian and Pacific Islander 
heritage, including three Members from Hawaii, two Members from 
California, one Member from Virginia, one Member from Oregon, and 
delegates from Guam and American Samoa. As members of the Congressional 
Asian Pacific American Caucus, one of our goals is to inform other 
Members about the history and contributions of Asian and Pacific 
Islander Americans. This concurrent resolution authorizing the printing 
of this book will not only enable us to meet the goal but also educate 
the general public on the diversity that exists in Congress. ``Asian 
and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress'' will follow in the same 
tradition as ``Hispanic Americans in Congress'', ``Black Americans in 
Congress'', and ``Women in Congress,'' which is also distributed to 
school libraries across the Nation.
  Indeed Asian and Pacific Islanders are a diverse constellation of 
people from 40 major subpopulations including indigenous populations of 
Chamorros, Native Hawaiians, and Samoans and immigrant populations from 
India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Cambodia, 
Vietnam, Laos and other countries in Asia. Like the histories of Native 
Americans and Alaskan Natives, the histories of indigenous Pacific 
Islanders predates the history of the founding of our country, which 
has been historically populated by immigrants from Europe, Asia, South 
American and all points abroad.
  Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have united with all Americans 
in condemning the terrorist actions. Members of these communities have 
lost family and friends from these horrendous attacks and are still 
mourning their loss. Yet these Americans have been victimized by hate 
crimes, committed by other Americans. As we fight terrorism at home and 
abroad, we must also address the bigotry and discrimination that 
threatens to tear apart our Nation from within. As Americans, we must 
continue to teach tolerance to future generations and value our 
nation's diversity. The passage H. Con. Res. 130 is an important step 
toward reaching that noble goal.
  Once again I would like to thank my colleagues, Mr. Ney and Mr. 
Hoyer, for their leadership in moving this important resolution to the 
House floor and urge all Members to support the final passage of H. 
Con. Res. 130 in Congress.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 130.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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