[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2003

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I 
rise today to express my support for Asian Pacific American Heritage 
Month. Made possible through an act of the United States Congress in 
1978, Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was then expanded into a 
month long celebration in 1992. The month of May was appropriately 
chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to 
the United States and the completion of the transcontinental railroad. 
As we celebrate the 25th year, this May is an excellent opportunity for 
all Americans to celebrate, honor and reflect on the many 
accomplishments and contributions of the Asian Pacific American 
community.
  From the transcontinental railroad to the halls of Congress, Asian 
Pacific Americans have played a major role in the development of our 
nation with an increasing presence in the Federal government. I would 
like to acknowledge the many accomplished leaders of Asian descent 
currently serving our country. In the President's Cabinet alone, we 
have two prominent leaders, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and 
Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, the first Asian Pacific 
American to serve in the President's Cabinet. Congressman Bob Matsui, 
Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is the first 
Asian Pacific American to serve in the House Democratic leadership. 
Washington Governor Gary Locke, Chair of the Democratic Governors 
Association, is the first Asian Pacific American to deliver the 
Democratic response to the President's State of the Union Address.
  And of course, one cannot have a discussion about leadership within 
the Asian Pacific American community without reflecting on the career 
and accomplishments of my dear friend, the late Congresswoman Patsy 
Mink. We must continue on in this tradition by encouraging more Asian 
Pacific Americans to forge ahead in non-traditional sectors as my 
friend Patsy Mink did. Patsy was a true trailblazer. She was the first 
Asian Pacific American woman to practice law in Hawaii and the first 
woman of color elected to Congress. The APA community has come far from 
its humble beginnings, but there is still much work we need to do.
  While APAs as a whole have flourished in the United States, there are 
still challenges facing certain segments of the community. Recent 
immigrants and refugees are still working to achieve the American 
dream. My district is home to Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander 
populations whose challenges include post-war stress and inadequate job 
skills. I urge my colleagues not to forget those who are struggling to 
overcome language and cultural barriers, as well as discrimination.

  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce legislation that will ensure the 
Asian Pacific American community continues to thrive. In the 108th 
Congress, I have introduced the following bills:
   H.R. 1984, the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act, provides 
veteran benefits to the Filipino veterans who fought side by side with 
American soldiers during World War II. In addition to providing 
desperately needed health care to veterans, this bill calls for home 
loan assistance for U.S. based Filipino veterans, educational 
assistance for U.S. and Philippine based dependents, vocational 
rehabilitation, and employment services, job counseling, training, and 
placement services for U.S. based veterans.
   H.R. 1486 urges the Secretary of Education to commission a 
study to examine ways to increase the graduation rate for Native 
American and Native Hawaiian secondary school students, as well as for 
students residing in American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
Guam.
   H.R. 1983, the Amerasian Justice Act, will amend the 
Immigration and Nationality Act to facilitate the immigration to the 
United States of children born in the Philippines or Japan who were 
fathered by United States citizens. There are now more than 50,000 
Amerasian children in the Philippines and 6,000 Amerasian children in 
Japan burdened by social stigma and psychological stress which affect 
viable opportunities for employment, education or family life.
   H. Con. Res. 83 honors the victims of the Cambodian genocide 
that took place between 1975 and 1979, and pays tribute to the 
survivors who made their way to the United States. It also expresses 
the sense of Congress's commitment to pursue justice for the victims.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a district that reflects 
America's greatest strength--our rich cultural diversity. As we 
commemorate May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we must 
celebrate the culture, traditions and achievements of Asian Pacific 
Americans, but we must also reflect on how to meet the challenges that 
will face the community in years to come.

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