[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7537]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MR. CAO K. O

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2014

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an important pillar 
in New York's Asian American community, an advocate for equality and 
progress, and a steadfast champion for justice, Mr. Cao K. O.
  Mr. O was a founding member of the Asian American Federation (AAF) 
and served as its first executive director until late last year. Over 
more than 23 years, Mr. O built the Federation into a leading pan-Asian 
organization. Under his leadership, the organization has become 
renowned in a range of areas that advance the Asian American community.
  Under Mr. O's direction the organization has been a leader in policy 
research, examining the root causes of issues afflicting the community 
and helping develop commonsense solutions that better the lives of 
thousands of New Yorkers. The Federation has produced numerous studies 
examining the economic and mental health effects of 9/11 on New York's 
Asian American community, how to best care for the Asian community's 
elderly and children, and how to address poverty among this demographic 
group.
  Beyond shaping the policy dialogue, Mr. O's emphasis on nonprofit 
capacity building and philanthropy has also led the AAF to steer 
resources to a range of community based organizations that tackle real 
world problems facing New York's Asian Americans. The Federation has 
raised and leveraged $10 million and made grants to organizations 
benefitting children, women, elders and recent immigrants, improving 
the lives of thousands of New Yorkers.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. O himself is an immigrant. Born and raised in 
Vietnam, he arrived a refugee in this country in 1975. It is clear that 
he has never forgotten his personal struggles but has instead used them 
as inspiration to help those around him. This Friday, the Asian 
American Federation will honor Mr. O for his many contributions. In 
advance of this celebration, I would ask my colleagues to join me in 
saluting this public servant for his many accomplishments on behalf of 
the Asian American community.

                          ____________________