[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5452]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as Asian 
Pacific American Heritage Month. In 2010, my colleague, Congressman 
Honda, introduced H. Res. 1316 to designate this month as a time to 
recognize the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to 
the United States. As an original co-sponsor, I reaffirm my commitment 
to address the concerns and needs of the Asian American and Pacific 
Islander community.
  The 37th Congressional District of California, which I am honored to 
represent, is home to one of the largest Asian constituencies in the 
nation, including large communities of Filipinos, Samoans and 
Cambodians. In fact, my district is home to the largest Cambodian 
population in the United States and the second largest Cambodian 
population in the world outside Cambodia. I am proud to be a member of 
the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and represent my 
constituents' interests. The month of May was chosen to celebrate Asian 
Pacific American Heritage for two significant reasons. On May 7, 1843, 
the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, and on May 
10, 1860, the first transcontinental railroad was completed. The 
transcontinental railroad transformed our nation and could not have 
been completed without the inclusion of Chinese immigrants.
  Despite the challenges and adversity that Asian Pacific Americans 
have experienced, many have forged ahead and made significant 
contributions to this great nation. History was made with the election 
of President Obama, the first president to have such significant 
personal ties to the Asian Pacific community. President Obama spent his 
childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia. Also, one of President Obama's first 
guests to the Oval Office was the prime minister of Japan, Taro Aso.
  This year, the U.S. Census Bureau has released data revealing that 
the Asian population now represents 6 percent of the total American 
population. This community has grown faster than any other racial group 
in the United States at four times the national average. Asian 
Americans are making significant contributions to the economy and own 
over 1.5 million businesses, employing 3 million people. The buying 
power of Asian American communities has also grown dramatically, 
increasing by 89 percent between 2000 and 2009 from $269 billion to 
$509 billion.
  This month, however, also causes us to reflect on some challenges 
that remain for Asian Pacific Americans. For instance, immigration and 
language policies continue to disproportionately affect Asian Americans 
since they are more likely than any other racial group to be foreign-
born. Harsh immigration policies and language barriers, therefore, 
limit many individuals' ability to integrate into American society and 
access important services. Along similar lines, Asian Americans are 
twice as likely as non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans to have 
not seen a doctor in the past five years, and Asian Americans are also 
more likely to be uninsured.
  Mr. Speaker, this month, it is important to recognize the 
achievements of this incredibly diverse community while also addressing 
their policy concerns. Nevertheless, I have much hope for the future 
because Americans are working together, hand-in-hand, to ensure the 
equality and advancement not only of their community, but of all 
communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of 
Asian Pacific Americans this year and for years to come.

                          ____________________