[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11675]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF BRUCE JUN FAN LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2012

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues 
Representatives Chu, Hansen Clarke, Faleomavaega, Grijalva, Lungren, 
Richardson, Sablan, and Loretta Sanchez to pay tribute to the life of 
Bruce Jun Fan Lee.
  The 39th anniversary of Bruce's death is this week, on July 20th. 
Bruce had, and continues to have, an immeasurable impact on American 
and global popular culture through the important role he played in 
creating a bridge between cultures; championing values of self-respect, 
self-discipline, and tolerance in our Nation; and pioneering and 
cultivating the genres of martial arts, martial arts films, fitness, 
and philosophy in the United States and the world.
  Bruce was born on November 27, 1940, in San Francisco, CA. His family 
relocated to Hong Kong shortly thereafter, and he experienced firsthand 
the occupation of Hong Kong by the Japanese during World War II, during 
the years of 1941-45, and the subsequent hostility and war that shook 
the continent. It was during his time in Hong Kong that Bruce sought 
out martial arts as a means to gain self-confidence and discipline, as 
well as to overcome repeated instances of taunting racism, and gang 
activity during his youth.
  In 1959, with only $100 to his name, Bruce boarded a steamship in the 
American Presidents Line and began his voyage back to San Francisco. 
Soon thereafter, with much dedication, Bruce threw himself into 
learning colloquial English in honor and love of America and its 
culture. He subsequently attended the University of Washington, where 
he studied philosophy, psychology, drama, and other subjects.
  While at college, Bruce began his legendary martial arts teaching 
career, initially as a means to pay for his education. Bruce's 
willingness to teach martial arts to non-Chinese individuals as a way 
to bridge the cultures angered many in the field, and he was forced to 
defend his freedom as well as others' rights to learn the arts.
  Bruce had a true desire and the fortitude needed to expand the reach 
of martial arts by breaking away from the exclusionary mentality that 
limited its reach. His ingenuity and creativity led him to Hollywood, 
where he became an authentic face for Chinese Americans and an 
inspiration to youth across the world. Simultaneously, he began to 
create his own martial expression, ultimately naming it Jeet Kune Do.
  To millions of people around the world, Bruce Lee remains more than a 
celebrity or a martial arts legend--he was a true catalyst for social 
change and civil rights. His memory, which is brought to life everyday 
by the work of his daughter Shannon Lee, who leads the Bruce Lee 
Foundation, remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for future 
generations in America.
  It is my distinct honor to have introduced H. Res. 654 in this 
Congress, in order to honor the life of Bruce Lee and the continuing 
contributions of the Bruce Lee Foundation to our nation.
  Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to join us in paying tribute to 
the life of Bruce Jun Fan Lee, a cultural and American icon, as well as 
master teacher, whose legacy resonates throughout the world for 
posterity.

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