[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2010

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate May as Asian 
Pacific American Heritage Month.
  One hundred sixty-seven years ago this May, the first Japanese 
immigrants arrived in the United States in search of a promise of 
freedom and in pursuit of their own American dreams. Since that time, 
Asian Pacific Americans have contributed to the unique fabric of 
American culture in countless ways, becoming leaders in business, 
government, arts, and entertainment. It is entirely fitting that we 
have chosen May to commemorate these significant contributions, and to 
honor the 15.2 million Asian Pacific Americans who continue the legacy 
that their ancestors began in the 1840s.
  During the past several decades, Congress has recognized the 
importance of the Asian Pacific American community to our nation's 
history. In 1977, Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta 
introduced legislation to establish the first ten days of May as Asian 
Pacific American Heritage Week. After similar legislation was 
introduced and passed in the Senate, President Jimmy Carter signed into 
law a joint resolution to establish this annual commemoration. Later, 
in 1990, we celebrated the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. 
Since that time, May has officially become a yearly tribute to the 
Asian Pacific American community.
  While it is important that we continue recognizing these important 
dates--which have raised awareness of the many critical contributions 
of the Asian Pacific American community--we must also look to the work 
being done each day to make certain that the interests of Asian Pacific 
Americans are being considered. Members of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate consistently honor the heritage of this important 
community. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus--known as 
CAPAC--advocates for all Asian Pacific Americans, working to ensure 
their voices are heard at the federal level. Additionally, the 
Presidential Cabinet includes three Asian American dignitaries: Energy 
Secretary Steven Chu, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Veterans 
Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki.
  Building on this active involvement of Asian Pacific Americans in the 
workings of our national government, President Obama has also stepped 
up his own efforts to restore the broad mission of the White House 
Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This vital 
initiative--which I helped to establish while serving in the 
administration of President Bill Clinton--has been successful in 
increasing the participation of Asian Pacific Americans in federal 
programs. By doing so, the Initiative has helped make dramatic 
improvements in the quality of life of underserved Asian Pacific 
Americans.
  Madam Speaker, in recognizing the countless contributions Asian 
Pacific Americans have made to our nation and to our history, I join my 
colleagues this May in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage 
Month.

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