[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 58 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E896-E897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               SPEECH OF

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate, with my 
colleagues, the extraordinary accomplishments of the Asian Pacific 
American (APA) community and to recognize the sacrifices they have 
endured. Their struggle to find a place in America without prejudice 
and repression is a story that all Americans should know, and I am 
pleased that the month of May has been set aside for Asian Pacific 
American Heritage Month.
  I am so proud to represent the 12th Congressional District of 
California because its amazingly diverse population includes a large 
APA community, as well as the largest population of Filipinos outside 
of the Philippines.
  Looking back over our history, it is heartening to see the advances 
that the APA community has made as a whole, in spite of setbacks and 
sometimes horrific treatment in our government's name. One of the most 
compelling stories came to an end earlier this year with the passing of 
my good friend Congressman Robert Matsui, with whom I served for 24 
years. His tragic and unexpected death struck a chord deep in the 
hearts of all those who served with him. His success story is 
quintessentially American, despite the fact that when he was young, the 
U.S. government denied him the freedom bestowed to him under the 
Constitution.
  Mr. Speaker, even though his family had been in the United States for 
two generations, Bob and his family, like 114,000 other Americans of 
Japanese descent, were rounded up and sent to detention camps. The 
courage it took, not only to survive and to prosper from this slap in 
the face to all Americans, but to go on to become part of the 
government in the hope of changing the government's policies and 
working atmosphere is extremely commendable. And change the atmosphere 
he did, passing the Japanese-American Redress Act, which produced an 
official apology from the Federal Government. He became one of the 
highest-ranking Asian Pacific Americans in Congress during the 108th 
while serving as the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign 
Committee. He exemplified the fight for freedom and liberty and he is 
sorely missed. We welcome Bob's wife, and my friend Doris, as she 
begins her Congressional service.
  Many other Congressional colleagues of APA heritage have served our 
country with distinction. Currently there are over 300,000 veterans of 
Asian or Pacific Islander decent, and while many served our country 
with distinction, no unit in the armed forces deserves more credit than 
the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Comprised solely of persons of 
Japanese background, this band of brothers was the most decorated unit 
for its size in U.S. history. My good friend and colleague, Senator 
Daniel Inouye earned the Medal of Honor fighting in the 442nd.
  As a group, the people of the APA communities are fighters, throwing 
off the second class citizenship that was foisted upon them during 
immigration battles throughout the 19th and 20th centuries to become 
among the highest achieving Americans. Half of all members of the APA 
adult community have college degrees, compared with one quarter of the 
adult U.S. population is but one mark of excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, although it is important to recognize the achievements 
made, this month will also allow us to renew our focus on the problems 
that face the APA community, problems like affordable housing, racial 
profiling, language barriers and unfair immigration laws. One of the 
largest problems facing the Asian Pacific Community is the perception 
that the community is thriving without exception. With a record amount 
of those in the APA community going to college, one would tend to think 
that way, but in reality there are large sections of the APA 
populations who have very little education, and who experience 
financial depths that no American should have to face. There remains a 
problem that must be addressed when language barriers contribute to 
leaving one out of ten Asian Pacific Americans in poverty.
  I continue to work with other members of the Congressional Asian 
Pacific American Caucus to create a better environment for Asian 
Pacific Americans in my Congressional District. I wrote H.R. 139, which 
helps to alleviate the nursing shortage seen throughout California and 
the nation by allowing Filipino nurses to use some of the unused 
employment-based immigrant visas. I am an original cosponsor of a bill 
that would authorize grants for institutions of higher education that 
serve disproportionately low income and underserved Asian American and 
Pacific Islander students. During the 108th Congress, I was a cosponsor 
of a bill that would give Filipino Americans residing as legal aliens 
or citizens of the U.S. the same health and pension benefits that all 
other veterans of World War II receive, as well as many other bills 
that support the APA community.
  The Bay Area is lucky to be home to one of the largest populations of 
Asian Pacific Americans in the United States, particularly San 
Francisco and San Mateo County. For centuries it has been one of the 
great gateways to America, just like St. Louis for those coming west. I 
thank San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome and the members of the Board of 
Supervisors for their proclamation officially

[[Page E897]]

dedicating the month of May in San Francisco as Asian Pacific Heritage 
month.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that we have come full circle as a nation in 
our attitudes toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This 
vibrant part of our community offers an array of perspectives that are 
firmly woven into the fabric of America, and I am extremely proud to 
serve as a representative of the community. I invite my colleagues of 
all backgrounds to join me in observing this wonderful month and 
recognizing the contributions that they have made in fighting for 
liberty and freedom for this great nation.

                          ____________________