[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11045-11047]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      CHI MUI POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 5477) to designate the facility of the United 
States Postal Service located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San 
Gabriel, California, as the ``Chi Mui Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5477

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CHI MUI POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, 
     California, shall be known and designated as the ``Chi Mui 
     Post Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the ``Chi Mui Post Office Building''.

  THE SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina, (Ms. 
Foxx) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Now, Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure to yield 
such time as he might consume to the sponsor of this resolution, 
Representative Adam Schiff from California.
  Mr. SCHIFF. I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding, and I 
want to thank him, Mr. Waxman and the staff on the committee for 
working with me on this legislation.
  I'm proud to stand here today to honor a well-respected and dedicated 
leader from the San Gabriel Valley. Mr. Chi Mui was a beloved member of 
the Asian American community in Southern California, and the mayor of 
the city of San Gabriel, where he dedicated himself to improving the 
quality of life for his neighbors, community and country. I can't think 
of a more fitting tribute to such an exceptional man than naming the 
post office in San Gabriel, the town where he touched so many lives, in 
his honor.
  Chi Mui's story epitomizes the American dream. Born in Toisan, China, 
Chi Mui was a man of humble origins whose early experiences enabled him 
to relate and connect to the Asian community in California.
  After spending many of his early years in Hong Kong, Chi moved with 
his parents to New York City's vibrant Chinatown in 1963, at the age of 
10. Chi spoke Cantonese with his parents, who were a seamstress and a 
cook, but quickly immersed himself in the language of his new home. As 
a new immigrant, he remembered feeling like an outsider on the edge of 
society, and found refuge, his own oasis in the New York Public 
Library, where he broadened his mind and developed a lifelong 
commitment to supporting public libraries.
  His time reading and studying in the library served him well as he 
continued his schooling, graduating cum laude with a bachelor's degree 
in civil engineering from Polytechnic University in New York in 1980. 
After attending New York University, he moved west and began his 
distinguished career in public service.
  In Los Angeles he served as deputy to one of our colleagues, Lucille 
Roybal-Allard, and later to California State Senator, Richard Polanco. 
As their deputy, and in his own time, Chi began working to better the 
lives of immigrants in the region. Chi Mui's immigrant roots and 
experiences gave him a special insight and the wisdom and ability to 
connect with generations of people who came to this country for a 
better life.

[[Page 11046]]

  Chi was a key player in the development of 600 units of affordable 
and senior housing in Los Angeles' Chinatown, and taught citizenship 
classes to help hundreds of legal residents become U.S. citizens. In 
1999 he led an alliance of community leaders, neighborhood groups and 
businesses to save 50 acres of open space known as the ``Cornfield'' in 
downtown Los Angeles. This land became California's first ever urban 
State park, and is now known as the Los Angeles State Historic Park.
  An avid runner and an athlete, he cared deeply about improving 
recreational facilities and opportunities for youth in the urban area 
of Los Angeles, and helped obtain $35 million in State funding in 2001 
for recreational facilities and activities in the new Los Angeles State 
Historic Park.
  Chi also helped expand the capacity of the Alpine Recreation Center, 
which doubled in size due to his efforts. He volunteered his time to 
coach youth at the Alpine Center where he taught teamwork and 
sportsmanship.
  He also founded and co-founded the Los Angeles Chinatown Athletic 
Association Volleyball Club and created a night basketball program for 
at-risk youth. Youth are still benefiting from his legacies. Both 
programs are still going strong today.
  Chi Mui's experience as an immigrant and his close ties to his 
Chinese heritage led him to be active in the Chinese American community 
in the L.A. area. In recognition of his leadership, he was elected 
President of the Los Angeles Chinese American Citizens Alliance twice. 
The Alliance was founded in San Francisco in 1895, and advocates for 
equal political, economic and educational opportunities for Chinese 
Americans.
  Chi believed in working together with everyone, and often brought 
different cultures and races together to work on common problems. While 
he was close with the Chinese American community, he also worked hand 
in hand with the Indochinese and Chinese-Vietnamese communities, and he 
was an important link between the Asian American community in San 
Gabriel and all other residents where he served on the San Gabriel City 
Council.
  Chi Mui was one of only a handful of first-generation Chinese 
Americans to successfully run for office when he was elected to the San 
Gabriel City Council in March of 2003. He made history as the first 
Asian and Chinese American City Council member and mayor since the City 
of San Gabriel's incorporation in 1913.
  Remembering how important library access was to him, Chi was a 
devoted member of the Friends of San Gabriel Public Library, and led 
the effort to open the county public library in San Gabriel on 
Saturdays to provide more services to residents and students without 
increasing costs.
  However, his personal passion on the City Council was the 
``greening'' of the community, and he worked tirelessly to preserve the 
quality of life that San Gabriel residents value. A long-time advocate 
of parks and open space, Chi Mui helped the city obtain funds for the 
master plan and redesign of Vincent Lugo Park, and successfully pushed 
for additional trees and greenery on neighborhood streets.
  For several years, Chi fought a courageous battle with cancer, during 
which he continued his work for the residents of San Gabriel. On April 
27, 2006, at the age of 53, Chi passed away with his wife Betty and a 
few close friends at his side.

                              {time}  1515

  He was greatly loved by the City of San Gabriel, and those who knew 
him saw his commitment to making the city a wonderful community for 
life-long residents and new commerce as well.
  I greatly enjoyed the chance to work with him during his tenure on 
the city council and know I speak for a great many when I say how much 
we all miss him.
  People around the country recently finished celebrating Asian Pacific 
American Heritage Month which ended on Saturday, May 31. Asian 
Americans have touched many lives around the country, and Chi Mui is no 
exception. It is fitting that we pass this legislation, H.R. 5477, 
which will add yet another Asian American name to a very short list of 
post offices honoring this important community.
  Chi Mui will never be forgotten by those who knew him. He had a 
profound effect on the people of southern California and the City of 
San Gabriel. Future generations will recognize his good work in our 
community as we preserve his memory and rename the San Gabriel post 
office in his honor.
  I thank again the gentleman from Illinois.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5477, legislation to 
name the post office in San Gabriel, California, in honor of Chi Mui.
  Today, we honor Chi Mui who passed away from cancer on April 27, 
2006. His accomplishment in serving the citizens of San Gabriel, 
California, as the first Asian and Chinese American council member and 
mayor of San Gabriel was a testament to his lasting dedication and 
friendship to the community.
  The modest beginning of Chi Mui's life did not forecast the dramatic 
and incredible impact he would have on the people of Los Angeles. Born 
in China on October 26, 1952, Mayor Mui was the son of a seamstress and 
a cook. At the age of 10, he moved with his family out of his home in 
China and into New York City where he quickly learned to speak English. 
In 1980, Mayor Mui graduated cum laude with a degree in civil 
engineering from Polytechnic University of New York and subsequently 
moved to southern California.
  Before being elected to the San Gabriel City Council in 2003, Mayor 
Mui wasted no time in devoting his efforts to his new community. He was 
instrumental in developing 600 units of affordable and senior housing 
in Los Angeles's Chinatown and spent his time teaching citizenship 
classes in order to help hundreds of fellow immigrants achieve 
citizenship in their new home.
  A passion for open space, Mayor Mui led the efforts to obtain the 
space and the $35 million necessary to build the first urban state park 
in downtown Los Angeles. Mayor Mui was also a devoted athlete and 
cofounded the Los Angeles Chinatown Athletic Association Volleyball 
Club where he worked as a coach teaching and reinforcing life lessons 
that continue well beyond volleyball.
  In a city where one in two residents is Asian, Mayor Mui played a 
role as liaison between the city government and the Asian community. As 
a city council member, he led the efforts to open the county public 
library in San Gabriel on Saturdays to provide greater access to 
residents without increasing cost.
  His tireless work for the Asian community was recognized when he was 
twice elected President of the Los Angeles Chinese American Citizens 
Alliance.
  Recognizing his ability and devotion to San Gabriel in the Asian 
community, the council appointed him vice-mayor in 2005. In 2006, it 
elevated him to the position of mayor, an invaluable step that linked 
the members of the Asian community.
  With gratitude to his service to the San Gabriel community, I ask all 
Members to join me in supporting H.R. 5477.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I rise to present for our consideration H.R. 5477, 
which names the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
120 South Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, California, as the ``Chi Mui 
Post Office Building.''
  Chi Mui is best known for his commitment to public service as the 
former mayor of the Southern California City of San Gabriel. H.R. 5477 
was first introduced by Representative Adam Schiff on February 21, 
2008, and is supported by over 50 Members of Congress, many of whom 
hail from the

[[Page 11047]]

State of California. The bill before us has been considered by the 
Oversight Committee and was approved by the panel on April 16, 2008, by 
voice vote.
  Regarded as a role model to those interested in pursuing public 
service, Mayor Mui was able to rise from the most humble beginnings to 
become one of Southern California's most respected local leaders and 
social advocates.
  A tireless fighter for immigrant rights and affordable housing, Chi 
Mui's accomplishments and contributions go beyond his service as mayor 
of San Gabriel of California, to include his work on improving 
opportunities for deserving youth and ensuring inclusion and 
integration of Southern California's Asian American population.
  Mr. Speaker, it was only a few short weeks ago that we here in the 
House were celebrating both National Public Service Recognition Week 
and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Mayor Chi Mui's life helped 
to highlight the significance of celebrating both of these 
commemorative celebrations. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me 
in recognizing this extraordinary American citizen by passing H.R. 
5477.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my 
distinguished colleague from the State of Idaho (Mr. Sali).
  Mr. SALI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5477 designating 
this post office in the name of Chi Mui.
  While I rise in support of this resolution, I again rise to urge my 
colleagues to address rising fuel prices. Chi Mui's efforts to improve 
his community are akin to the efforts of America's charitable 
organizations that seek to meet the needs of Americans all across our 
lands. Today, as Americans across this country pay $3.98 per gallon at 
the pump, these prices hit nearly every facet of life, including those 
charities providing care for many Americans in need.
  One Tennessee paper reported today on the effects these prices are 
having on charities, and it says, ``Nonprofit agencies and charities 
that rely on voluntary drivers to help carry out their work say soaring 
gas prices are forcing volunteers to scale back or even stop driving. 
This means there are fewer people to drive cancer patients to treatment 
and fewer people to deliver food to the needy.''
  Congress has a moral obligation to address rising fuel prices by 
immediately lifting the restrictions on America's energy-rich public 
lands to increase exploration for and production of American crude oil 
and natural gas and to do so in an environmentally friendly manner.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of 
H.R. 5477, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this 
resolution, and I yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5477.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________