[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 74 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4532-H4533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my good friend and 
colleague and neighbor, Congressman Mike Honda, first for his 
leadership on so many issues, and, secondly, for organizing a special 
order tonight to celebrate the contributions of Asian Pacific 
Americans, but also to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
  We have the pleasure of representing the California Bay Area 
together. It is really an honor and a magnificent challenge and an 
exciting part of my district to bring all of our diverse communities 
together, to support many, many issues as minority communities. So the 
Asian Pacific American community is one of those communities that is 
incredibly diverse in my district and also in our Nation, but also 
plays an increasingly important role in the development of our Nation. 
With over 14 million people and 24 ethnic groups, they encompass vast 
histories and rich cultures.
  In many ways, the APA community is seen as a model minority 
community, but the truth is the very same challenges, like access to 
health care and education, that other communities face are also 
obstacles to be overcome by Asian Pacific Americans. For example, 
nearly 2.4 million Asian American and Pacific Islanders are without 
health insurance, and about 13 percent of Asian Pacific American 
children are uninsured. Diseases such as diabetes are on the rise and 
one of the leading causes of mortality among Asian Pacific Americans.
  Congressman Honda and I also cochair the Congressional Out-of-Poverty 
Caucus, along with our colleagues Congressman Joe Baca, Congressman 
G.K. Butterfield, and Congressman John Conyers. We all are working to 
raise awareness of all of these challenges and are working on a plan to 
eradicate poverty in our country.
  As with many minority communities, education plays a key role in 
ensuring that the next generation of APAs are able to break free from 
the cycle of poverty. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 629, 
introduced by a colleague from Oregon, Congressman David Wu. This 
legislation would create institutions of higher education modeled after 
the historically black colleges and universities and our Hispanic 
serving institutions. This would establish a university for the Asian 
Pacific American community.
  Back at home in the Ninth Congressional District of California, my 
constituents and organizations based in my district are really making 
an impact in many of these fields. An organization that I am very proud 
to represent is Asian Health Services. This agency has served thousands 
of people who cannot afford basic services such as health care and 
mental health services. Our Asian community is so diverse that Asian 
Health Services has translators that speak nine different languages. 
When it comes to health care justice, this agency advocates for those 
with no voice by working with elected officials to create policies that 
meet the essential mental health and health care needs.
  I also want to mention the Asian Pacific Environmental Networks. This 
agency is a powerful grassroots organization and has done incredible 
work to provide housing for the waitresses and the security guards and 
the janitors that keep our community working. They have negotiated with 
developers to set aside 465 units of housing for low and extremely low 
income individuals. To further aid this community, the network has 
negotiated 300 entry-level construction career path placements, 
allowing constituents to gather the tools that they need for success.
  This is truly an important time to reflect upon the accomplishments 
and the achievements of the APA community. The United States is strong 
because of its diversity and its immigrants. I am proud to be a member 
of the Asian Pacific American Caucus and our Tri-Caucus which reflects 
the beauty and diversity of our country. Let us rededicate ourselves 
tonight to eradicate the disparities and the discrimination against the 
Asian Pacific American community and to celebrate the great 
contributions.

[[Page H4533]]

  I want to thank Congressman Honda again for his leadership, and for 
making sure that justice prevails for the Asian Pacific American 
community, because his leadership and bringing together the diversity, 
closing the health care gap with regard to minority communities, all of 
the issues that he works on makes this House of Representatives a 
better place.

                          ____________________