[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 65 (Thursday, April 30, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
millions of Asian Pacific Islander Americans for their significant 
contributions and service to strengthen this great Nation, and to join 
the Nation in celebrating Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage 
Month.
  This month-long tribute would not be complete without recognizing the 
visionaries who founded Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month: 
U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, former U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga, former 
Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, and former U.S. 
Representative Frank Horton. As a result of their steadfast leadership, 
a joint resolution established Asian Pacific Island American Heritage 
Week in 1978, and the celebration was later expanded to an entire month 
in 1992.
  This celebration takes place in May to mark the first Japanese 
immigrants' arrival in America in 1842, as well as the completion of 
the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869--which would not have been 
finished without the hard work and dedication of Chinese laborers.
  Today, our Nation faces its trials and tribulations as it sees harsh 
economic times. People throughout the country are losing their homes 
and their jobs and we must come together as a community and remain 
strong and dignified. The Asian Pacific Islander American community 
constitutes one of the fastest growing minority communities in the 
United States, with over 13 million Asian Pacific Islander Americans in 
the country. Despite these economic hardships, members of the Asian 
Pacific Islander American community have continued to take positions of 
leadership and have worked hard to secure a brighter future for all.
  Asian Pacific Islander Americans are making great strides both in the 
private and public sectors. Members of the Asian Pacific Islander 
American community have been named to key appointments in President 
Barack Obama's administration and at other levels of government. As 
Asian Pacific Islander Americans advance to positions of power and 
leadership, we can ensure that the voice of the community is being 
heard.
  While we celebrate the many accomplishments and the promising future 
of the Asian Pacific Islander American community, we must not forget 
the history of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in this country. The 
Angel Island Immigration Station has a significant place in Asian 
Pacific Islander American history. Declared a National Historic 
Landmark in 1997, Angel Island served as the entry point in the West 
for over 1 million immigrants from 1910-1940. This includes 
approximately 175,000 Chinese immigrants who were detained at Angel 
Island before they were granted entry to San Francisco. Along with 
Representative Lynn Woolsey, I sponsored the Angel Island Immigration 
Station Restoration and Preservation Act, which passed in both the 
House and the Senate in 2005, authorizing $15 million of federal funds 
for the Angel Island Immigration Station Preservation Project. After 
3\1/2\ years since it was closed for restoration, Angel Island reopened 
this February and will educate the public about the immigration 
experience and the significance that it holds for many immigrant 
families today.
  After the recent passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment 
Act of 2009, benefits were finally granted to long-time Filipino 
veterans of World War II. The act recognizes the service of these 
veterans and includes a provision which allocates $198 million to the 
Filipino veterans for their defense of the Philippines, a commonwealth 
under the United States during World War II. We must praise and commend 
these brave soldiers for the sacrifices they made during their service 
in the Armed Forces.
  The idea of family is important to Americans and continues to be at 
the center of the Asian Pacific Islander American value system. It is 
imperative that we do what we can to keep families united to ensure 
that immigrants and children receive the support to sustain a 
livelihood in the United States.
  I have continued to support immigration initiatives, such as 
comprehensive immigration reform and have supported family 
reunification. I authored legislation to reform the treatment of 
unaccompanied immigrant children who are in Federal immigration 
custody. The bill gives unaccompanied minors access to pro bono legal 
counsel and requires family reunification whenever possible.
  We must recognize that the Asian Pacific Islander American community 
is diverse, not only in language, culture and foods, but in education 
and socio-economic levels as well. That is why it is so important to 
provide talented students who have clearly embraced the American dream 
the incentive to take the path toward being a responsible, contributing 
member in our civic society.
  I have cosponsored the DREAM Act of 2009 to give undocumented high 
school students who wish to attend college or serve in the Armed Forces 
an opportunity to adjust to a lawful status and pursue these goals. If 
it becomes law, the DREAM Act would help Asian Pacific Islander 
Americans and others triumph over adversity.
  As future generations of Asian Pacific Islander Americans continue to 
strive for excellence in our educational system, economy, and 
communities, I am pleased to honor and distinguish the many triumphs 
and accomplishments of the Asian Pacific Islander American community 
and their role in shaping our Nation's identity.

                          ____________________