[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10979-10980]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNITION OF ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the designation 
by President Bush that the month of May be known as Asian/Pacific 
American Heritage Month.

[[Page 10980]]

  The more than 13 million Americans who have Asian/Pacific heritage 
have worked diligently to enrich the culture of our Nation and of our 
lives.
  Asian/Pacific Americans are a growing and welcome force in my home 
state of Illinois. Their continuing contributions to our communities, 
whether as large as Chicago, or as medium sized as my hometown of 
Collinsville, are immeasurable.
  Asian/Pacific Americans bring with them a heritage of pride, hard 
work, commitment to family and faith, and a love of freedom that serves 
as an example and reminder for all of us.
  I am proud of the President for his recognition of the Asian/Pacific 
American community and of their overall value to our nation's future. I 
salute the Asian/Pacific American community and join them in 
celebrating their heritage.

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