[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 76 (Thursday, May 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE SERVICE AND RETIREMENT OF MR. SHIRO FLOYD MORI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. COLLEEN HANABUSA

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2018

  Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Shiro Floyd 
Mori, former president and CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute 
for Congressional Studies (APAICS), and wish him well as he retires 
from a distinguished career in public service.
   Born in Murray, Utah, outside of Salt Lake City on May 30, 1939, 
Floyd is the son of Japanese immigrants from Kagoshima. He graduated 
from Jordan High School and served for six months on active duty in the 
United States Army Reserves at Fort Ord, California. After starting 
college at the University of Southern California (USC), Floyd 
interrupted his studies and served a two-year mission to Hawaii for the 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He earned his bachelor's 
degree in economics and Asian studies, as well as a master's degree in 
economics and political science, from Brigham Young University (BYU). 
Since then, Floyd has attended fellowship programs at Stanford 
University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
   After college, Floyd began his career by teaching economics at 
Chabot College in Hayward, California, for ten years. In 1972, Floyd 
was elected onto the City Council of Pleasanton, California, before 
becoming mayor. In 1975, he was one of the first two Japanese Americans 
elected onto the California State Assembly. Floyd eventually became 
director of the Office of International Trade in California, an 
international business consultant, and president of Mori-Silva 
International.
   There is no doubt that Floyd has had a truly distinguished career. 
Today, however, I rise to recognize his extraordinary lifelong 
contributions to Asian Pacific Islander communities in the United 
States. Besides his outstanding work with APAICS, Floyd held numerous 
local and national positions for the Japanese American Citizens League 
(JACL), including as president and vice president. He served on the 
executive council of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human 
Rights, the diversity council for Comcast, and as chair of the National 
Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA).
   Floyd's many awards for his community service include the 
Outstanding Citizen Achievement Award from OCA National, Coalition 
Building Award from the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, 
Voices of Courage Award from the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, the 
Distinguished Citizenship and Patriotism Award from the Pan Pacific 
American Leaders and Mentors, Community Leadership Award from the Asian 
Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, and the Order of 
the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette Award from the Japanese 
government.
   In March, Floyd retired from his position as president and CEO of 
the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies 
(APAICS). For five years, Floyd has led APAICS to achieve significant 
growth in activity, public support, and sponsorship. The APAICS we see 
today is more visible, well-connected, diverse, and ambitious because 
of Floyd's leadership.
   Floyd's lifelong service reminds us all of how important it is that 
we continue to cherish and advance diversity across our country. 
Through his tireless efforts as a leader of the Asian Pacific Islander 
community, Floyd has enriched the lives of countless Americans of all 
backgrounds. He has inspired future generations to build upon the 
important work he achieved.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
celebrating Floyd's accomplishments and years of service and wishing 
Floyd the very best in a prosperous retirement and all his future 
endeavors.

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