[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. FRANKLIN ODO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2010

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Franklin Odo for 
his 12 years of service as Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific 
American Program. The Asian Pacific American Program assists the 
Smithsonian's 19 museums and research centers with the collection of 
Asian Pacific Americans' artifacts, programs, research, and outreach. 
The program gives Asian Pacific American communities across the Nation 
access to the Smithsonian.
  In addition to being the founding director of the Asian Pacific 
American Program at the Smithsonian Institution, Dr. Odo was the first 
and only Asian Pacific American curator at the National Museum of 
American History. Dr. Odo has dedicated his life to documenting, 
preserving, and presenting the histories of Asian Americans and Pacific 
Islanders. He has written numerous critically acclaimed books on the 
Asian American experience, taught at prestigious universities across 
the Nation, and brought to the Smithsonian cutting edge exhibits on 
Chinese Americans, Native Hawaiians, Korean Americans, Filipino 
Americans, and Japanese Americans.
  As an educator myself, I understand and respect Dr. Odo's work. 
Whether as a professor or a curator, Dr. Odo has made teaching his 
priority. Through his work and vision, Dr. Odo has managed to engage 
thousands of people in the history, culture, and important 
contributions of Asian Pacific Americans. He is able to translate 
scholarly work into publicly accessible formats. Dr. Odo has helped 
many of us tell our story and ensure that these important lessons 
continue to pass on from generation to generation.
  Franklin Odo has been an activist and academic, and will continue to 
be a leader in our community. We hold a debt of gratitude to Dr. Odo 
for his incredible contributions.

                          ____________________