[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5216-S5217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of Asian 
Pacific American Heritage Month. It is a time to recognize the 
immeasurable contributions in service, commerce, and cultural diversity 
made by Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who continue to 
strengthen our great Nation's character and influence.
  I believe that the United States draws its strength from a proud 
history of immigration.
  The Asian Pacific American community is an essential part of that 
tradition and it boasts an extremely vibrant and diverse population.
  Places such as Chinatown, Korea Town, Little Tokyo, Little Saigon, 
and Filipino Town only enhance the richness of the American urban 
landscape.
  Today, more than 14 million Asian Pacific Americans live in the 
United States.
  I am proud to come from the State that has the highest population of 
Asian Pacific Americans, nearly 5 million.
  In particular, Los Angeles County is home to the country's single 
largest Asian community, with 1.4 million individuals.
  California owes a great deal to the tradition of Asian Pacific 
Americans who have made their home in the Golden State since the 1800s.
  To help honor that legacy, last year, Congress authorized the Angel 
Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation Act. Known as 
the ``Ellis Island of the West,'' over 1 million immigrants, including 
175,000 Chinese immigrants, passed through its gateways to establish 
new lives on the west coast. Now, this location can continue to provide 
us with a vital link to our Nation's history and culture.
  Let me take a moment to pay tribute to the visionaries who helped to 
create the Asian Pacific Heritage Month: Secretary of Transportation 
Norman Mineta; U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye; Former U.S. Senator Spark 
Masunaga; and Former Congressman Frank Horton.
  Thanks to the leadership of these fine individuals, a joint 
resolution established Asian Pacific American Heritage Week in 1978, 
initially designating the first 10 days of May as the annual time of 
recognition. That was later expanded to a month-long celebration in 
1992.
  The month of May holds special significance for the Asian Pacific 
American community. It coincides with two important milestones: The 
arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 
1843; and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 
1869 thanks in large part to the contributions of thousands of Chinese 
workers. This year, the theme chosen to represent this year's Heritage 
Month is ``Dreams and Challenges of Asian Pacific Americans.'' It is 
designed to recognize the struggle of Asian Americans and Pacific 
Islanders who continue to stand firm against adversity in the pursuit 
of the American dream.
  Sadly, the Asian Pacific American community understands all too well 
this struggle.
  Their story has been entangled with several dark chapters of 
America's history.
  It began in the 1800s, when people of Asian Pacific ancestry were 
prohibited from owning property, voting, testifying in court, or 
attending school.
  This story of persecution regrettably continued throughout much of 
the 19th and 20th centuries: the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which 
prohibited the immigration of Chinese to the United States; a 1913 
California law, which prohibited immigrant aliens from owning land; the 
repatriation of Filipino immigrants in 1935; and the mandatory 
internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This particular 
story remains a blight on the conscience of this great Nation.
  Nevertheless, the Asian Pacific American community found a way to 
endure and persevere over these injustices and indignities.
  In so doing, they to create a tradition of triumph over adversity 
that personifies the best of this Nation's character.
  But our Nation cannot afford to overlook their sacrifice and 
struggle.
  For this reason, I am proud that in the 109th Congress, Tule Lake--
the largest internment camp of the 10 that existed--was designated as a 
National Historic Landmark. This will help future generations 
acknowledge and understand the painful legacy of the Japanese Americans 
who endured the shame of the forced internment camps used during the 
bleak days of World War II.
  I would also like to take a moment to commend the 300,000 Asian 
Pacific American veterans who established the practice of military 
service for the thousands of Asian Pacific American men and women 
currently serving in our Armed Forces.
  One such individual is my distinguished colleague, U.S. Senator 
Daniel Inouye of Hawaii.
  Even though his loyalties to our Nation and that of many other 
Japanese Americans--were falsely and wrongly questioned during World 
War II, Senator Inouye proudly participated in our Nation's most highly 
decorated unit, the Army's 442nd ``Go for Broke'' regiment combat team.
  Since then, Senator Inouye has continued to serve this country as a 
devoted public servant and exemplary citizen.
  His story of boldness and aspiration is not unique. Throughout the 
decades, countless numbers of Asian Pacific Americans have worked 
tirelessly to build better lives for themselves and their families.
  But although many Asian Americans have achieved success, we cannot 
forget the hardships of the Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander 
communities that were forced out of their homelands and who are now 
struggling to prosper here in America.
  According to the 2000 Census, Southeast Asian Americans have the 
lowest percentage of education, with most possessing less than a high 
school education. They also have the lowest proficiency of English and 
one of the highest rates of receiving public assistance.
  We cannot allow these individuals to be ignored or overlooked. I will 
do everything I can to help this community prosper.
  In closing, as we reflect on many individual stories of achievement 
and success during this month of May, we are steadily inspired by the 
standards Asian Pacific Americans set in our schools, in the business 
world, and our neighborhoods. I am confident that their dynamic 
initiative and entrepreneurship will only continue to inspire us to 
greatness in the years to come.

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