[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9127]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2001

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Asian Pacific 
American Heritage Month this May 2001. Almost two decades ago, 
President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution declaring the first 
Asian Pacific American Heritage Week as May 4-10, 1979. Then, a decade 
ago, the celebration was extended to the entire month. Finally, Public 
Law 102-450 approved on October 23, 1992, designated May of each year 
as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
  I am proud that the region I represent in Congress is a diverse one 
and is home to many people of Asian Pacific heritage. So many of my 
constituents have distinguished themselves through their 
accomplishments in education, business, medicine and science, and other 
forms of public and private sector involvement, and through a strong 
and successful family life. To commemorate Asian Pacific American 
Heritage Month, I would like to briefly highlight the remarkable 
accomplishments of three distinguished Asian Pacific American civic 
leaders who represent constituents from California's 27th Congressional 
District, which I am proud to serve in the U.S. House of 
Representatives.
  John Chiang has shown a deep and genuine commitment to public service 
as Vice Chair of the California Board of Equalization. Elected as the 
representative of the Fourth District of the Board of Equalization in 
1998, Mr. Chiang has promoted public-private community outreach and 
taxpayer-education initiatives to better serve his more than 8 million 
constituents in Los Angeles County. Mr. Chiang organized the first 
joint Board of Equalization, Franchise Tax Board, and Internal Revenue 
Service seminar for nonprofit organizations and joined with the Los 
Angeles County Assessor's Office to hold a tax seminar for religious 
organizations. He has also organized business and labor forums on 
fighting tax evasion in the ``underground economy'' and sponsored state 
legislative reforms to enhance the California Taxpayers' Bill of 
Rights. John is the son of Judy Chiang, a generous and committed 
community volunteer, and Dr. Mutong Thomas Chiang, a thoughtful and 
dedicated scholar.
  Carol Liu has a long-standing record of community leadership, 
culminating with her election last year as the representative of 
California's 44th Assembly District. Assemblymember Liu's top priority 
is to restore California's public education system to be among the very 
best in the nation. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Ms. 
Liu's work in education included serving as a PTA President, President 
of the Pasadena City College Foundation Board, and Co-Chair of the 
Pasadena City College capital campaign to fund construction of a new 
physical education and sports complex. In addition, Liu sits on the 
Board of Trustees of the U. C. Berkeley Foundation. She also served her 
community as a civic leader, with her election to the La Canada 
Flintridge City Council in 1992, re-election in 1996 and her terms as 
Mayor in 1996 and 1999. Liu has been honored for her contributions to 
the community with the La Canada Flintridge Educational Spirit of 
Outstanding Service Award and the Second Baptist Church Outstanding 
Service Award. In 1998, when I served as a State Senator in California, 
I was proud to designate her as the 21st Senatorial District Woman of 
the Year. Liu is married to Mike Peevey, a businessman and 
entrepreneur, and they are the proud parents of three grown children, 
Jed, Maria, and Darcie, and even prouder grandparents of three 
grandchildren.
  Matthew Y.C. Lin, M.D., is the first Asian American elected to serve 
as a Member of the City Council of the City of San Marino, California. 
Dr. Lin, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, has an extensive record 
of community service. His volunteer activities include leadership 
positions with the San Marino Schools Foundation, Pasadena Symphony, 
Chinese Club of San Marino, United Way of the San Gabriel Valley and 
Luke Christian Medical Mission. He has sought to improve the lives of 
our children through his service at the West San Gabriel Valley Boys 
and Girls Club, Asian Youth Center, and by coaching AYSO soccer and 
serving as assistant coach for the San Marino High School Judo Club. He 
has taken part in voluntary medical missions to aid the victims of 
disasters, responding to the Taiwan earthquake in September 1999 and 
the earthquake in El Salvador in January 200 1. Dr. Lin and his wife, 
Joy, are the proud parents of four adult children, Jenny, George, Tim 
and Jerry.
  I am proud to recognize the community and civic accomplishments of 
Councilman Lin, Assemblywoman Liu and Board of Equalization Member 
Chiang as we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. They are 
truly remarkable leaders who through their service to our communities 
are an inspiration to us all.

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