[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 80 (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E948]]
          COMMEMORATING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2008

  Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, this May, all Americans take time to 
commemorate Asian Pacific Heritage Month. As a proud member of the 
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I honor and celebrate the 
culture, achievements and valuable contributions of Asian Pacific 
Americans.
  This May marks thirty years since the first ten days of May were 
designated Asian Pacific Heritage Week. This was extended to a full 
month once it became quite clear that a week would not be nearly enough 
time to do justice to the abundant contributions Asian Pacific 
Americans have made to our Nation, without which we could never have 
reached the heights we have today.
  Asian Pacific Americans are one of the most diverse, talented and 
successful ethnic groups in America today. There are nearly 16 million 
Asian Pacific Americans who call America home, representing more than 5 
percent of the U.S. population.
  In my district, they are without question the fastest growing ethnic 
group. In Fort Bend and Harris counties, the growth of Asian Pacific 
Americans has been dramatic. In many cases the growth of Asian Pacific 
Americans has been more than three times the growth of the overall 
population. Fort Bend now has the largest percentage of Asian Americans 
of any county in Texas. In particular, in Sugar Land and my home, 
Stafford, Asian Pacific Americans make up more than 20 percent of the 
overall population.
  However, population growth is only part of the story. As the grandson 
of immigrants, I know true assimilation means preserving tradition 
while achieving success. I am in awe at how quickly the Asian Pacific-
American community has mastered both. Asian Pacific Americans have 
quickly taken hold of many of the most prominent civic, industry, 
philanthropic and research-based positions in the Houston area.
  I would specifically like to honor the trailblazing Asian Pacific 
American elected officials in my district. Natalie Ong, M.J. Khan, 
Thomas Abraham, Daniel Wong, Neeta Sane, Ken Mathew, Sonal Bhuchar, and 
Natasha Kamrani have broken barriers and shattered stereotypes and 
opened the door for a future generation of Asian Pacific American 
leaders.
  With values of hard work, discipline, community and family, it's no 
wonder that Asian Pacific Americans are one of the fastest-growing, 
best-educated and highest-earning ethnic groups in the U.S. From the 
medical professionals who care for us, the educators who teach us and 
the titans of industry large and small, Asian Pacific-Americans are one 
of the most indispensable parts of our Nation's ever-growing national 
tapestry. Asian Pacific-Americans are authentic Americans, and proof 
that the American dream continues to thrive.
  I am very proud of my friendship with the Asian Pacific-American 
community. I remain committed to working with my friends to create and 
promote policies that help the community and its needs. I will continue 
to seize every opportunity to recognize the valuable contributions 
Asian Pacific-Americans make to our community and to the nation.

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