[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 56 (Wednesday, May 10, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E783-E784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PRAISING ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of Asian/Pacific 
Americans and their innumerable contributions to our Nation. The fabric 
of American society has benefited from the talent, dedication and 
enthusiasm of Asian/Pacific Americans. The month of May is designated 
as a time when we all can appreciate and observe diversity in America 
by highlighting the contributions of Asian/Pacific Americans.
  In June 1977, Representative Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. 
Mineta of California introduced a House Resolution that called upon the 
President to designate the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific 
Heritage Week. Subsequently, Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga 
introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both House and Senate Bills

[[Page E784]]

were passed. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two 
important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history. The arrival in 
the United States of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843 and 
contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the 
transcontinental railroad, completed on May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress 
expanded the observance for the entirety of May.
  Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated with community 
festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities 
for students. This year's theme is ``Freedom for All--A Nation We Call 
Our Own.''
  Mr. Speaker, Asian/Pacific Americans are leaders in public service, 
business, government, science, law, education, athletics, the arts, and 
many other areas. Their love of family, community, and hard work has 
helped to uphold our Nation for many generations. Asian/Pacific 
American entrepreneurs are helping to strengthen our economy and our 
communities through their hard work and ingenuity, and they inspire a 
new generation of American innovation through their example. More than 
14 million Americans of Asian or Pacific Island Heritage contribute to 
the vitality, success, and prosperity of our Nation.

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