[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 68 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING ASIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2004

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the month 
of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and to pay tribute to 
the 120,000 individuals of Asian descent I represent in California's 
32nd Congressional District. I am fortunate to represent an ethnically 
diverse district that has experienced first hand the economic and 
cultural contributions of the Asian Pacific American community.
  Although less than 4 percent of the U.S. population is Asian, I am 
proud that 19 percent of the congressional district I represent is of 
Asian descent. Some cities in my congressional district have a well-
established Asian Pacific American community. Monterey Park, for 
example, is home to a vibrant Asian American community and has a City 
Council that is majority Asian. Other cities in the congressional 
district I represent, like West Covina, have experienced an increase in 
their Asian population in more recent times. From 1980 to the present, 
West Covina's Asian Pacific American population has grown from 4 
percent to 23 percent.
  Asian Pacific Americans bring diversity to our community and also 
contribute to our economy and to our advancement as a nation. Asian 
Pacific Americans have made vast contributions in the fields of 
medicine, technology, and agriculture that benefit all Americans. 
Furthermore, throughout times of heightened national security, Asian 
Pacific Americans have fought to protect democracy in every war since 
the Civil War. For example, despite the disturbing racism toward 
Japanese Americans during World War II, Japanese Americans volunteered 
to serve in the armed forces as part of the 442nd Infantry Regimental 
Combat Team. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team remains the most 
decorated unit in U.S. military history. Not only did these Japanese 
servicemen show their loyalty to the United States, but they also 
earned more than 18,000 individual decorations in less than 2 years. 
These noble service members deserve our recognition.
  In closing, I would like to commend organizations in California's 
32nd Congressional District that exemplify and promote Asian diversity 
during Asian American Heritage Month.

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