[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13296-13297]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2003

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I 
rise today to express my support for Asian Pacific American Heritage 
Month. Made possible through an act of the United States Congress in 
1978, Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was then expanded into a 
month long celebration in 1992. The month of May was appropriately 
chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to 
the United States and the completion of the transcontinental railroad. 
As we celebrate the 25th year, this May is an excellent opportunity for 
all Americans to celebrate, honor and reflect on the many 
accomplishments and contributions of the Asian Pacific American 
community.
  From the transcontinental railroad to the halls of Congress, Asian 
Pacific Americans have played a major role in the development of our 
nation with an increasing presence in the Federal government. I would 
like to acknowledge the many accomplished leaders of Asian descent 
currently serving our country. In the President's Cabinet alone, we 
have two prominent leaders, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and 
Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, the first Asian Pacific 
American to serve in the President's Cabinet. Congressman Bob Matsui, 
Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is the first 
Asian Pacific American to serve in the House Democratic leadership. 
Washington Governor Gary Locke, Chair of the Democratic Governors 
Association, is the first Asian Pacific American to deliver the 
Democratic response to the President's State of the Union Address.
  And of course, one cannot have a discussion about leadership within 
the Asian Pacific American community without reflecting on the career 
and accomplishments of my dear friend, the late Congresswoman Patsy 
Mink.

[[Page 13297]]

We must continue on in this tradition by encouraging more Asian Pacific 
Americans to forge ahead in non-traditional sectors as my friend Patsy 
Mink did. Patsy was a true trailblazer. She was the first Asian Pacific 
American woman to practice law in Hawaii and the first woman of color 
elected to Congress. The APA community has come far from its humble 
beginnings, but there is still much work we need to do.
  While APAs as a whole have flourished in the United States, there are 
still challenges facing certain segments of the community. Recent 
immigrants and refugees are still working to achieve the American 
dream. My district is home to Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander 
populations whose challenges include post-war stress and inadequate job 
skills. I urge my colleagues not to forget those who are struggling to 
overcome language and cultural barriers, as well as discrimination.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce legislation that will ensure the 
Asian Pacific American community continues to thrive. In the 108th 
Congress, I have introduced the following bills:
  H.R. 1984, the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act, provides veteran 
benefits to the Filipino veterans who fought side by side with American 
soldiers during World War II. In addition to providing desperately 
needed health care to veterans, this bill calls for home loan 
assistance for U.S. based Filipino veterans, educational assistance for 
U.S. and Philippine based dependents, vocational rehabilitation, and 
employment services, job counseling, training, and placement services 
for U.S. based veterans.
  H.R. 1486 urges the Secretary of Education to commission a study to 
examine ways to increase the graduation rate for Native American and 
Native Hawaiian secondary school students, as well as for students 
residing in American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.
  H.R. 1983, the Amerasian Justice Act, will amend the Immigration and 
Nationality Act to facilitate the immigration to the United States of 
children born in the Philippines or Japan who were fathered by United 
States citizens. There are now more than 50,000 Amerasian children in 
the Philippines and 6,000 Amerasian children in Japan burdened by 
social stigma and psychological stress which affect viable 
opportunities for employment, education or family life.
  H. Con. Res. 83 honors the victims of the Cambodian genocide that 
took place between 1975 and 1979, and pays tribute to the survivors who 
made their way to the United States. It also expresses the sense of 
Congress's commitment to pursue justice for the victims.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a district that reflects 
America's greatest strength--our rich cultural diversity. As we 
commemorate May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we must 
celebrate the culture, traditions and achievements of Asian Pacific 
Americans, but we must also reflect on how to meet the challenges that 
will face the community in years to come.

                          ____________________