[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12639-12640]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2009

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
  As a cosponsor of H. Res. 435, which celebrates Asian Pacific 
American Heritage Month, I would like to first thank Congressman Honda 
for leading the Democratic Caucus in recognizing the important 
contributions the Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) community 
has made to our nation.

[[Page 12640]]

  As Representative of the 47th Congressional District of California, I 
have the honor of representing one of the most diverse communities in 
the United States. I have witnessed firsthand the rich culture and 
contributions the APIA community bring to my district in Orange County, 
CA.
  In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of Asian and 
Pacific Islander Americans become leaders in academia, arts, 
government, the military, and the private sector. They contribute to 
all aspects of American life, and in doing so they enrich the lives of 
all Americans and make this country stronger.
  I especially commend President Obama for his leadership in reaching 
out to the Asian and Pacific Islander American community. This year 
marks a special occasion, as it is the first time the Presidential 
Branch has appointed a record number of Asian-Americans to the Cabinet, 
including the Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu; Secretary of Commerce, 
Gary Locke; and Secretary of Veterans Affair, Eric Shinseki. Their 
hard-work and sacrifice have made a significant impact on America and 
opened doors for future generations of Asian Pacific Americans.
  Although it is imperative to recognize the achievements of the APIA 
community, it is also important for us to focus on the challenges they 
face, including affordable housing, racial profiling, and health care 
issues. Another issue the APIA community faces is the perception that 
all members of this community are thriving economically. In reality, 
not all Asian Pacific Islander Americans have access to a quality 
education and many continue to face tremendous language barriers.
  The APIA community has made sacrifices for our country and 
contributed to the growth and prosperity of this nation. I look forward 
to celebrating APIA month and continuing to work with APIA leaders to 
overcome the ongoing challenges that face all our communities. 
Together, we can make the American dream a reality for all Americans.

                          ____________________