[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 44, 
and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the concurrent resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 44) recognizing the 
     contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to our Nation.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. WARNER. I ask unanimous consent the concurrent resolution be 
agreed to, and the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid on the table, with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 44), was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
       Whereas at the direction of Congress in 1978, the President 
     proclaimed the week beginning May 4, 1979, as Asian Pacific 
     American Heritage Week, providing the people of the United 
     States with an opportunity to recognize the achievements, 
     contributions, history, and concerns of Asian Pacific 
     Americans;
       Whereas the seven day period starting May 4 was designated 
     Asian Pacific Heritage Week as it marks two historical 
     dates--May 7, 1843, when the first Japanese immigrants 
     arrived in the United States, and May 10, 1869, Golden Spike 
     Day, when, with substantial contributions from Chinese 
     immigrants, the first transcontinental railroad was 
     completed;
       Whereas the 102nd Congress by law designated that the month 
     of May be annually observed as Asian Pacific American 
     Heritage Month;
       Whereas according to the U.S. Census Bureau an estimated 
     12.5 million United States residents trace their ethnic 
     heritage, in full or in part, to Asia and the Pacific 
     Islands;
       Whereas Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can list 
     innovative contributions to all aspects of life in the United 
     States ranging from the first transcontinental railroad to 
     the Internet;
       Whereas in the mid-1700's Filipino sailors formed the first 
     Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the bayous 
     of Louisiana;
       Whereas Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have added to 
     the vast cultural wealth of our Nation; and
       Whereas Americans of Asian Pacific heritage, who include 
     immigrant and indigenous populations, have honorably served 
     to defend the United States in times of armed conflict from 
     the Civil War to the present: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes that the United States draws its strength 
     from its diversity, including contributions made by Asian 
     Americans and Pacific Islanders;
       (2) recognizes that the Asian American and Pacific Islander 
     community is a thriving and integral part of American society 
     and culture;
       (3) supports the goals of Asian Pacific Heritage Month; and
       (4) recognizes the prodigious contributions of Asian 
     Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States.

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