[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 34 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E396-E397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF SAM CHU LIN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 16, 2006

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. A heavy 
heart over the passing of one of the giants of Asian American 
Journalism, and my dear friend: Mr. Sam Chu Lin.
  Sam was a pioneer; not just in the Asian American Community, but in 
the entire field of journalism.
  A reporter par excellence--news anchor--radio announcer--media 
consultant--a conscience, of and for, American journalism for almost 
four decades.
  As one of the first Asian American network reporters in New York 
City, he announced to the Nation on CBS News, the fall of Saigon.
  He interviewed Presidents and world leaders. He covered earthquakes 
and major disasters.
  He reported from China the government crackdown on the democracy 
demonstrators in Tiananmen Square.
  His childhood in Greenville, Mississippi, must have been a seminal 
experience for him; one that forged his commitment to both exposing and 
fighting discrimination wherever he found it. Undoubtedly, he certainly 
witnessed and experienced first-hand racial prejudice that pervaded the 
South in the 40's and 50's. More importantly he saw the devastation 
discrimination did to the dreams of young people of color.
  As a result, his life was one of endless commitment to truth-seeking 
and justice for all Americans--but especially for his brothers and 
sisters in the Asian American Community.
  He believed ``informing and helping others is what makes journalism 
exciting.'' He also believed his beloved career in journalism was an 
opportunity to use his roots for a positive purpose.
  His relentless pursuit of excellence in journalism was legendary. He 
once convinced ABC's Nightline to do a program called ``Asian 
American--When Your Neighbor Looks Like the Enemy.'' After doing so, he 
helped book the guest, checked the script for accuracy, and found 
historical footage for the broadcast. He went on to spend the entire 
next year educating the executive producer about how Asian Americans 
have been unfairly stereotyped because of the campaign fundraising and 
spy scandals.
  The program went on to be the highest rated show in its time slot 
beating out both Jay Leno and David Letterman in the national ratings.
  Sam was a visionary--for that show would be as relevant today as it 
was when it first aired. I have no doubt if Sam were still with us, he 
would be haranguing the current producers to replay it today to show 
Americans just how little we've learned from our history.
  His advocacy on behalf of civil rights and justice for Asian 
Americans continued to the day he died. It was Sam's interview with 
Senator John McCain that enlightened the Senator to the plight of 
citizenship denial for Asian American Civil War Veterans. And it was 
Sam Chu Lin's coverage at the critical junctures of Dr. Wen Ho Lee, 
Captain James Yee and Captain James Wang's careers that kept the Asian 
Pacific civil rights community rallying to their defense.
  He continued to this day investigating, advocating, and agitating on 
behalf of Asian Americans as a media consultant and an independent 
reporter for several newspapers.
  His humbleness belied his accomplishments. He was the recipient of 
awards across the entire spectrum of journalism--from the Associated 
Press and UPI, to the Golden

[[Page E397]]

Mike, National Headliner Award for Best Documentary to name but a few. 
Just this past August he was honored with the Spirit of America Award 
by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance.
  In spite of his accomplishments, he never lost the value of humility 
or the heartfelt treasure of friendship. He was my dear friend and 
mentor. My heart goes out to his wife, Judy, and his sons, Mark and 
Christopher. His absence in my life and in the Asian Community is 
irreplaceable.
  But his body of work will live on and inspire generations of aspiring 
young Asian Americans to dream big dreams, and then go on to realize 
them.
  It has been said that Asian American men are some of America's best 
kept secrets. Sam Chu Lin helped to change that. There is a story of a 
short man who was in the midst of some tall men. One of the taller men 
said to him, ``You must feel pretty small right now.'' The man replied, 
``Yes, I feel like a dime in the midst of nickels.''
  Sam Chu Lin was no dime amongst nickels. He was a silver dollar 
amongst dimes. For in fact, the lifetime body of accomplishments of Sam 
Chu Lin has forever changed the face of American journalism.

                          ____________________