[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 193 (Tuesday, November 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING CHRISTOPHER KUI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 2017

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding 
leadership and achievements of Mr. Christopher Kui, Executive Director 
of Asian American for Equality (AAFE) on the occasion of his retirement 
after 31 years of public service. AAFE is a non-profit organization 
dedicated to social justice and community development. It was founded 
in 1974 in New York City's Chinatown community in response to a local 
developer's refusal to hire Asian-American workers for the federally 
financed towering apartment complex known today as Confucius Plaza.
  Chris immigrated to New York from Hong Kong at the young age of 10. 
As a newcomer, he witnessed early in life the injustice and 
discrimination faced by the Asian immigrant community in the areas of 
housing, education, employment practices and more. This experience 
helped shaped his life and career path. In 1986, he joined AAFE where 
he helped strengthen the organization's approach to advocacy and 
community development. In 1991, he assumed the position of Executive 
Director where he has served for the last twenty-five years. His 
vision, leadership and comprehensive approach to community planning has 
been extraordinary and has served as a model for other organizations. 
In this capacity, Chris successfully raised more than $100 million to 
build more than 800 housing units for low-income and homeless families 
and individuals. In his efforts to promote homeownership opportunities, 
he secured $378 million in mortgage financing.
  In addition to his leadership role at AAFE, Chris is also the founder 
and board chair of Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (REDC). 
REDC is an AAFE-affiliate that provides counseling to small businesses 
and has loaned more than $44 million to over one-thousand businesses 
during the past ten years. During Hurricane Sandy, it assisted 200 
small businesses and awarded a citywide total of $3.5 million dollars 
in loans and grants.
  There is no doubt that Chris has been responsible for AAFE's growth 
and success. His breadth of knowledge, understanding of social policy, 
small business and housing have greatly contributed to the public and 
private partnerships that have fueled job creation and community 
development in Manhattan's Chinatown community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing 
Christopher Kui for his 31 years of exemplary service and dedication to 
the Asian-American and diverse immigrant communities of New York City. 
My district is enriched by his vision and lasting legacy. I wish him a 
healthy and enjoyable retirement.

                          ____________________