[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING OLDER AMERICANS DURING THE ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2012

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize and celebrate the achievements of Asian and Pacific Americans 
and their invaluable contributions to the American family.
  It is a privilege to represent an extremely diverse district in 
Orange County, where many Asian Pacific Americans call home. As a 
Member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I am 
a proud co-sponsor of House Resolution 621, recognizing May as Asian 
Pacific American Heritage Month. It is also a time to honor the rich 
traditions and immense contributions Asian and Pacific Islander 
Americans have made to our nation.
  May is also Older Americans Month, a time where we recognize older 
adults and show our appreciation for their guiding wisdom and 
commitment to our communities. I would like to take this opportunity to 
acknowledge three extraordinary APIA community members from Orange 
County for their distinguished contributions that have enhanced the 
moral fabric of my district, the state of California, and our country.
  Arts and music play an instrumental role in preserving and promoting 
the Vietnamese American culture. I would like to honor Mr. Tu Cong 
Phung, a renowned musician. Composer Phung arrived in the United States 
in 1980, as a boat refugee from Vietnam. His romantic music captures 
the essence of love that has become an integral part of Vietnamese 
music-lovers across for over 50 years.
  Mr. Minh Tam Nguyen is a businessman, educator, and a veteran. Mr. 
Nguyen and his family immigrated to America in 1975 and began serving 
the community as a social worker in California. Mr. Nguyen founded 
Tam's Beauty Salon and Tam's Beauty Colleges and has educated over 
25,000 students during his career and is proud to serve the Orange 
County immigrant community.

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