[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 89 (Monday, June 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1425-E1426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING ASIAN/PACIFIC-AMERICAN HERITAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 8, 2009

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Res. 435, celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I thank 
Chairman Towns and my California Delegation colleague, Congressman 
Honda for their work in bringing this resolution to the floor today.
  This is a very exciting time for the Asian American Pacific Islander 
(AAPI) community and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues 
in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and with the Obama 
Administration to advance the AAPI objectives.
  The 37th Congressional District of California, which I am privileged 
to represent, is home to one of the largest Asian constituencies in the 
nation, including large representations of Filipinos, Samoans and 
Cambodians. My district is home to the largest Cambodian population in 
the United States, and the second largest Cambodian population outside 
of Cambodia. Because of the diversity of my district and in our nation, 
I am a proud member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
  This year's theme for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is 
``Lighting the Past, Present, and Future.'' The past is filled with 
rich cultural, economic, and technological contributions from the Asian 
community. The month of May was chosen to celebrate Asian Pacific 
American Heritage for two significant reasons. On May 7, 1843, the 
first Japanese immigrants arrived to our country and on May 10, 1860, 
the first transcontinental railroad was completed. The transcontinental 
railroad transformed our nation and could not have been completed 
without the inclusion of Chinese immigrants.
  Here in Congress, Dalip Singh Saund was the first Asian American 
elected in 1957 and less than a decade later, Patsy Mink became the 
first Asian American woman elected to Congress. Both overcame adversity 
to pave the way for all minorities, including a distinguished American 
and Medal of Honor winner, Senator Daniel Inouye, who has served in the 
other body for nearly a half century. Today, we have seven Members of 
Congress of Asian descent and 25 Members of Congress, including myself, 
in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
  The AAPI theme, the ``present'' demonstrates the great progress we 
have made as a country. Despite the challenges and adversity that Asian 
Pacific Americans have experienced, many have forged ahead and made 
significant contributions. History was made when this nation elected a 
President with such significant personal ties to the Asian Pacific 
community. President Obama spent his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia. 
One of President Obama's first guests to the Oval Office was the Prime 
Minister, Taro Aso of Japan. Further, President Obama appointed three 
Asian Americans to his cabinet: Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu; 
Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke; and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
Eric Shinseki.

[[Page E1426]]

  I have much hope for the future because Asian Pacific Americans and 
all Americans are working together hand in hand with others to ensure 
equality and advancement not only of their community, but all 
communities.
  Madam Speaker, let me again thank Congressman Honda, Chair of the 
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, for his leadership in 
introducing this resolution. I look forward to celebrating the 
accomplishments of Asian Pacific Americans this year and for years to 
come.

                          ____________________