[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF CAUSE-VISION 21 AND ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2002

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Asian Pacific 
American Heritage Month. The month of May marks the 25th year in which 
we honor the accomplishments and struggles of the Asian Pacific 
American community in this great nation.
  I am proud that the region I represent in Congress is a diverse one 
and is home to many people of Asian Pacific heritage. So many 
constituents have distinguished themselves through their 
accomplishments in education, business, medicine and science, and other 
forms of public and private sector involvement, and through a strong 
successful family life. To commemorate Asian Pacific Heritage Month, I 
would like to highlight the remarkable accomplishments of an 
organization in my Congressional district, committed to supporting and 
inspiring change in the area of civic participation for the Chinese 
American and Asian American communities.
  Cause-Vision 21, established in 1993, is dedicated to advancing the 
political empowerment of the Chinese American and Asian American 
communities through voter education, community outreach and leadership 
development. They have established dynamic and innovative programs 
designed to increases awareness and access to the political process.
  Once such program, the Chinese American Student Internship Coalition 
(CASIC), celebrating its tenth year, provides Chinese American college 
students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the 
political process and a deeper understanding of issues important to the 
Chinese American community. By being placed in a legislative office, 
each student is given an opportunity to become more aware of current 
legislative initiatives being debated in California's State 
Legislature.
  Along with CASIC, Cause-Vision 21 offers a number of community forums 
on a broad range of issues, voter registration drives, and get-out-the-
vote efforts. Due to their efforts, the political awareness of the 
Chinese American community has risen exponentially and the voter 
registration of this group has grown considerably since the 
organization's inception.
  I ask all Members of Congress to join me in honoring Cause-Vision 21, 
an organization striving to ensure that Asian Americans have a strong 
voice in the democratic process. Their efforts on behalf of the 
community have been extraordinary.

                          ____________________