[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4690-H4692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1845
       RECOGNIZING ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2017, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Soto) for 30 minutes.


                          Honoring Andrew Jeng

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander 
Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Andrew Jeng.
  Horng ``Andrew'' Jeng has been extensively involved with different 
communities and organizations. He is owner of Uptech Computers, the 
President of Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs of Central 
Florida, APAPA; president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Central 
Florida; principal of Kissimmee Chinese School; and president of 
Kiwanis Club of Kissimmee, Florida.
  In the past, Andrew was involved with the Boys & Girls Club; Seniors 
First Inc.; the Asian American Heritage Council; Taiwanese Chamber of 
Commerce; International Association of Chiefs of Police; and American 
veteran groups.
  As the president of Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, 
he supported the business community with facilities and intimate 
knowledge of the community as well as supporting businesses through 
advocating for positive business legislation, hosting network events 
and seminars, and international outreach.
  Andrew received the award of Outstanding Asian American from Orange 
County, Orlando in 2016; and in 2009, the community service of Asian 
American Heritage Council in Orlando, he earned a bachelor's of law 
from Central Police University in Taiwan, and a master's degree of 
computer information from the New York Institute of Technology.
  For that, Mr. Andrew Jeng, we recognize you.


                      Honoring Dr. Sajid Chaudhary

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander 
Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Dr. Sajid Chaudhary.
  Dr. Sajid Chaudhary is an infections disease specialist providing 
healthcare services in the Kissimmee area since 2004. He completed his 
internal medicine training from Brown University and his infectious 
disease fellowship training from the University of Massachusetts.
  Dr. Chaudhary is on faculty at the UCF College of Medicine, teaching 
medical students and resident doctors. Dr. Chaudhary has served, also, 
on the board of Osceola Regional Medical Center, and he is a founding 
board member and served as president of the Association of Pakistani 
Americans of Central Florida.
  He has served as president of the Association of Physicians of 
Pakistani Descent of North America, known as APPNA, and launched 
projects for four mobile clinics to help uninsured people in four 
States in the United States, including Florida.
  Dr. Chaudhary is very active in the community through volunteering 
and most recently helped raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Irma 
and Hurricane Maria in 2017.
  Earlier this year, I joined Dr. Chaudhary in the opening of a free 
healthcare clinic in Kissimmee, in our district, which he was very 
actively involved in establishing.
  For that, Dr. Sajid Chaudhary, we honor you.


                     Honoring Jose Fabricante, Jr.

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander 
Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Jose Fabricante, Jr.
  Jose, ``Joed'' Fabricante, Jr., is currently the president of the 
Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. He has been 
involved with the chamber since 2010 and has taken multiple leadership 
roles within the organization.
  The Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida's mission 
is to provide leadership, support, and encouragement to the Asian 
American business community of Orlando so that the members of that 
organization may prosper and grow.
  Jose currently works for Universal Orlando Resort in the security 
division as an entry-screening sergeant. He has also worked in various 
departments at Universal Orlando Resort and has had an impressive 
career with the company for close to 15 years.
  Jose is also on the board of directors for the Orlando Economic 
Partnership since 2018, this year.

[[Page H4691]]

  His family moved to the United States in 1992 from the Philippines 
and has called Florida home since then.
  For that, Jose Fabricante, Jr., we honor you.


                           Honoring Ricky Ly

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander 
Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Ricky Ly.
  Ricky Ly is an Orlando engineering professional. The son of 
Vietnamese boat refugees, he has proudly served central Florida in the 
community for the past 15 years. In 2018, he was chosen by Orlando 
Weekly as one of the 10 people making Orlando a better place to be.

  As a past co-chair of the Florida Water Environment Association's 
Water Resources, Reuse, and Resiliency Committee, he worked to educate 
fellow water professionals, community leaders, and the public about 
critical water resources and challenges that face our State.
  Mr. Ly currently serves on the board of directors of Second Harvest 
Food Bank. He has been involved with the City of Orlando's Families, 
Parks and Recreation board; the Orlando Mayor's City Academy; Pi Delta 
Psi Fraternity; and a board member for local NPR affiliate WMFE.
  Mr. Ly also leads voting registration campaigns for the local Asian 
American community and was awarded the Golden Hands Award from the 
Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida.
  He recently worked with the local PBS affiliate, WUCF-TV, on the 
documentary series ``Vietnamese Orlando,'' highlighting the history of 
the vibrant Vietnamese American community in Orlando.
  A graduate of the University of Central Florida, he is the cofounder 
of the Asian Pacific American Coalition at UCF and served as a student 
government senator representing the UCF College of Engineering and 
Computer Science.
  He is also the author of the book, ``Food Lovers' Guide to Orlando,'' 
and founder of tastychomps.com, highlighting our local Orlando 
restaurants, markets, and growing food scene.
  In 2017, he was inducted into the Orlando Sentinel Culinary Hall of 
Fame. He is also featured in the Orlando Sentinel's ``Central Florida 
100,'' a weekly opinion column featuring 100 of the most influential 
people in local government, politics, and culture.
  He is most thankful for his parents; his life partner, May Wong; and 
their firstborn daughter, Victoria, who brings their family much joy 
and hope for the future and new dreams for the American Dream.
  For that, Ricky Ly, we honor you.


                         Honoring Valerie Boey

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander 
Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Valerie Boey.
  Valerie Boey is the president of the Asian American Journalist 
Association's Florida chapter. She had been in television news for more 
than 20 years in the Sunshine State and currently works for FOX 35 News 
in Orlando.
  As an award-winning television reporter, Valerie is proud to 
represent her Chinese American heritage on the evening news. In a world 
where crime often dominates headlines, she focuses on faith to help 
those who have been affected.
  Valerie not only mentors Asian journalist students, but also 
journalism students of all backgrounds, as well as young professionals. 
She teaches them to report all sides of a story.
  Valerie encourages her students to be the best they can be, knowing 
hard work pays off, whatever their heritage is, for being different is 
an honor, not an entitlement.
  Valerie assists the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters, applauding 
fellow journalists around the State on their achievements and taking 
part in the college workshop. She also volunteers her time with the 
Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation golf tournament, which benefits 
young music students.
  As a member of the Orange County Asian Committee, Valerie tries to 
bring people of Asian American heritage together, recognizing their 
talents and applauding their efforts to make this community better.
  Valerie's father, Bob, was born in Singapore and grow up in Hong 
Kong. Her mother, Doris, was born in New York. She believes they both 
inspire her to carry on the importance of their Asian culture.
  Valerie is happily married to Jeff Ramsey, who has taught her all 
about his Southern roots and appreciation for barbecue; but she, too, 
has taught him an appreciation for dim sum and the essence of feng 
shui.
  For that, Valerie Boey, we honor you.


                         Honoring Khalid Muneer

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander 
Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Khalid Muneer.
  Born in Pakistan, Khalid's family moved to the United Kingdom in 
1961, where he graduated from the University of Aston in Birmingham.
  After 17 years in investment banking and working in eight countries, 
he moved to Florida and built a successful real estate commercial 
business. At the same time, he devoted his time and passion for civic 
duties to the Asian community.
  Khalid Muneer has been a very active leader in our community in 
central Florida. He was the President of the Asian American Chamber of 
Commerce CFL in 2016, won the International Leadership Foundation Award 
in 2017 for his accomplishments, and was on the top 100 most 
influential people list reported by the Orlando Sentinel. This year, 
Khalid is president of the American Muslim Chamber of Commerce of 
Central Florida.
  Khalid is also a husband, father, grandfather, and has dedicated his 
work to strengthening the Asian American community in central Florida.
  For that, Mr. Khalid Muneer, we honor you.


                           Honoring Neal Abid

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander 
Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Neal Abid.
  Neal Abid is the executive director of the largest nonprofit Arab 
American Community Center in Florida, a trusted resource and advocate 
for the Florida Arabic community.
  Mr. Abid is a passionate, philanthropic outreach provider through the 
AACCFL. Since Mr. Abid's appointment as executive director of the 
AACCFL, he has overseen the expansion of resource offices in Orlando, 
Tampa, and Jacksonville.
  Over the past 4 years, the AACCFL charity services have assisted over 
15,000 community members through its healthcare services, refugee 
assistance programs, and employment services, as well as many other 
services based out of the AACC Orlando headquarters.

  Mr. Abid is the founder of the largest annual community Arab festival 
that attracts over 35,000 attendees, combined, in Orlando, Tampa, and 
Miami, annually.
  Mr. Abid is notably recognized on the national level for his 
leadership role in the community. He is a passionate advocate for 
equality, human rights, women's rights, healthcare equality, and 
political engagement.
  Mr. Abid is an American Palestinian who resides in Orlando with his 
lovely wife and four beautiful children.
  For that, Mr. Neal Abid, we honor you.


                    Honoring Imam Abdul Rahman Patel

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander 
Heritage Month, I would like to recognize Imam Abdul Rahman Patel.
  Imam Abdul Rahman Patel is the head of the Imam Council of Central 
Florida, serving our community for over 20 years. Imam Patel works with 
community leaders, government officials, educators, and the community 
to foster peace, unity, and love.
  He has traveled to over 60 countries and brings his experience and 
understanding of different cultures to light by advocating across 
economic, social, religious, and cultural spheres. His love for the 
entire community is exemplified had his actions.
  He assisted in establishing the first free healthcare clinic in 
Osceola County, in our district, and provided much-needed medication 
and resources to the Victim Service Center of Central Florida, ensuring 
no person in need is turned away due to lack of funds or medication.
  Imam Patel has joined forces with local domestic abuse shelters, 
working to educate the community on domestic violence and providing 
support to local shelters through co-hosting events,

[[Page H4692]]

providing medical services, meals, and support to survivors of domestic 
violence.
  As a Muslim American leader, he started some of the first 
institutions for Islamic education within the United States. For two 
decades, he has been devoted to serving the community. He has also 
hosted and organized community townhall meetings with local government.
  To promote unity, shortly after the Pulse nightclub tragedy in 2016, 
Imam Patel, along with other community leaders, organized an event to 
honor the victims from Osceola County. Since then, he has actively 
worked with other leaders to reach out and express support for central 
Floridians of all backgrounds.
  As a community leader and a father of eight children, Imam Patel has 
championed many causes to inspire togetherness among everyone in 
central Florida, vowing to spread love without limitation.
  For that, Imam Abdul Patel, we honor you.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________