[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E981-E982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2008

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support H. Res. 
1153, a resolution celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. 
As an Executive Board member of the Congressional Asian Pacific 
American Caucus (CAPAC), and as the Representative for a district that 
is 12 percent Asian American, I understand how important it is to 
recognize the Asian Pacific American (APA) community for their valuable 
contributions to our Nation's history and development.
  Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was celebrated for the first 
time in May of 1990,

[[Page E982]]

and it became an annually observed event in 1992 under the 102nd 
Congress. Legislators chose the month of May in honor of some 
noteworthy historical events that happened during this time. May 7, 
1843 was the date on which the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the 
United States. May 10, 1869 marks the completion of the first 
transcontinental railroad, an incredible undertaking that was made 
possible due to the hard work and sacrifices of thousands of Chinese 
immigrants.
  By celebrating APA Heritage Month, we recognize the Asian Pacific 
American community for all that they have accomplished and endured. 
This great Nation draws its strength from the diversity of cultures and 
ideas that it was built upon, and it could not be what it is today 
without their contributions.

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