[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6810-6811]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        IN CELEBRATION OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize Asian 
Pacific American Heritage Month.

[[Page 6811]]

  Please join me as we celebrate the outstanding contributions of Asian 
Pacific Americans to our Nation during Asian Pacific American Heritage 
Month. Since 1977, when Congressman Norman Mineta of San Jose, along 
with Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii, introduced a 
joint congressional resolution, we have celebrated Asian Pacific 
American--APA--cultures and traditions each May. They chose May for the 
observance because the first Japanese settlers had come to mainland 
America in May 1843, and the Nation's first transcontinental railroad 
was completed, with the help of Chinese American labor, in May 1869. 
This year, the theme is ``Celebrating Decades of Pride, Partnerships 
and Progress.''
  More than 14 million APAs live in the United States. Nearly 5 million 
APAs live in California, making it home to the largest population of 
Asian Pacific Americans in the Nation. It is no wonder, then, that the 
APA community in California has made tremendous strides by working 
together to bring about positive change and growth. I am so proud of my 
State of California for being a leader on Asian Pacific American 
issues.
  Earlier this year, the California State Legislature's Asian Pacific 
Islander Legislative Caucus held its 6th Annual APA Legislative 
Briefing, ``Partnering for Community Empowerment.'' The conference 
brought together statewide APA community leaders--from organizations 
such as the Asian Pacific Islanders California Action Network, Asian & 
Pacific Islander American Health Forum, and Asian Americans for Civil 
Rights and Equality--to create unique partnerships to advance civil 
rights, education, health care and community development. I commend the 
Asian Pacific Islander Caucus and California's APA community leaders 
for their tireless and innovative efforts to empower Asian Pacific 
Americans in California.
  In addition to reflecting on the many accomplishments of the APA 
community, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month also allows us to 
honor the memory and contributions of notable Asian Pacific Americans. 
This year, sadly, we have lost many APA leaders: Dave Tatsuno, a 
courageous man who secretly documented life in a Japanese American 
internment camp during World War II; Sam Chu Lin, one of the first 
Asian American journalists in the United States; Judge Delbert Wong, 
the first Chinese American judge in the continental United States; and 
Jade Snow Wong, a world-renowned author and ceramicist.
  All four of these APA leaders were undeterred in their efforts to 
make America a better place to live, and they will be missed by all who 
knew them. In remembering the accomplishments of Dave Tatsuno, Sam Chu 
Lin, Judge Delbert Wong, and Jade Snow Wong, I hope that future APAs 
will be inspired to become leaders who will fight for this great Nation 
and for the rights of all Asian Pacific Americans.
  As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May, let 
us remember that Asian Pacific Americans are constantly contributing to 
every aspect of American life, from business and government to sports, 
science, and the arts. As we note their many contributions, let us 
celebrate diversity and recommit ourselves to working together toward a 
better future for us all.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, this month marks the anniversary of two 
milestones in Asian Pacific American history.
  The first-ever Japanese Americans made their home in this country 
starting on May 7, 1843. And in this same month in 1869, the 
Transcontinental Railroad, which had a tremendous impact on settling 
the West, was completed largely due to the hard labor of hundreds of 
Chinese Americans.
  These landmarks in Asian Pacific American history inspired Congress 
in 1977 to pass legislation establishing a week in May as Asian/Pacific 
Heritage Week. In 1990, it was expanded into a month-long observation.
  So this May, in recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, 
I honor the diverse cultures and heritages that make up the Asian and 
Pacific Islander American communities in my own home State of Maryland 
and across the Nation. I recognize the adversity and discrimination so 
many have faced and continue to face in America, and I vow to continue 
to fight to make sure all Asian Pacific Americans receive the equality 
they deserve in all aspects of their lives.
  Asian and Pacific Islander American communities come from all 
different countries of origin from China, Japan, Laos and the 
Philippines to Pakistan, Vietnam, Korea, and many others. They have 
brought with them unique cultural traditions, religions and languages. 
And they make major contributions to all facets of our society from 
small businesses to giant corporations, from the government to the 
front lines of battlefields, schools, athletics, law firms, hospitals, 
and countless other arenas. For centuries, they have helped make 
America what it is today, and they continue to be an integral part of 
the diverse American tapestry.
  That is why I support comprehensive immigration reform and 
accessible, efficient immigration services to keep our borders open to 
the immigrants that continue to make their homes in America and 
contribute to our culture and economy.
  Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a reminder of the 
contributions this community makes to our society all year round. I 
will continue to fight in the Senate for the needs of the millions of 
Asian Pacific Americans that have made their home in this country.

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