[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 183 (Tuesday, November 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE ASIAN PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE COFFMAN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 20, 2018

  Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Asian Pacific 
Development Center, a community based non-profit organization that was 
founded to serve Asian American Pacific Islanders, but now extends its 
services to all immigrant and refugee communities in the Aurora/Denver 
metro area. The Asian Pacific Development Center has done so now for 
nearly four decades.
  The influx of refugees and immigrants from the Asia Pacific region 
into Colorado shortly after the end of the Vietnam War was the impetus 
for the creation of the Asian Pacific Development Center. These new 
arrivals in Colorado faced challenges overcoming language barriers and 
mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and 
depression. To address these challenges, the Asian Pacific Development 
Center was founded in 1980, staffed with social workers, attorneys, 
psychologists and psychiatrists.
  Today the Asian Pacific Development Center does much more. In fact, 
it serves as a ``one-stop'' shop offering compassionate care and an 
array of other services to immigrants and refugees such as English as a 
second language instruction. The Asian Pacific Development Center 
strives to provide all these services in a culturally appropriate 
manner. These support services strengthen the health and wellbeing of 
immigrants who are transitioning into life in Colorado.
  A key factor in the effective delivery of all these services is the 
Asian Pacific Development Center's Executive Director Harry 
Budisidharta. He has done a remarkable job and has become a very well-
respected leader, not only for the Asian Pacific Development Center, 
but of our entire community. I am proud that the Asian Pacific 
Development Center is located in my hometown of Aurora, Colorado.

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