    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [May 3, 1993]
    [Pages 553-554]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
    Proclamation
    May 3, 1993

        Thank you very much. Let me begin by extending a warm welcome to all
    of you, especially those who have traveled very great distances, as many
    of you have, to help celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
        I'm pleased to be joined on the stage by Senator Dan Akaka, with
    whom I played golf last weekend--less well than he did, I might add--and
    Representatives Bob Matsui, Norm Mineta, Robert Underwood, Patsy Mink,
    Eni Faleomavaega--did I do a good job? Pretty good--and Jay Kim. And let
    us also honor the memory of the late Senator Spark Matsunaga, who left
    such a wonderful legacy as a true friend of the Asian Pacific community.
        My campaign and my administration have gained so much from the
    talents of Asian Pacific Americans, and I'd like to recognize just a few
    of them: Barbara Chow, my Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs;
    Neil Dhillon, at the Department of Transportation; Atul Gawande, who has
    been working on the Health Care Task Force; Maria Haley on our personal
    staff; Goody Marshall with the Vice President's staff; Doris Matsui in
    Public Liaison who did such a wonderful job with this event; Shirley
    Sagawa in Legislative Affairs; Debra Shon at the United States Trade
    Representative's Office; Melinda Yee at the Department of Commerce; and
    many others who are an essential part of our efforts every day.
        Fifteen years ago, Representative Frank Horton introduced the first
    resolution proclaiming Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, honoring
    the significant contributions of Asian Pacific Americans in all walks of
    life. In 1990, Congress

    [[Page 554]]

    designated and President Bush proclaimed the month of May as Asian
    Pacific Heritage Month. And last year, with the help of Representative
    Horton and 106 of his colleagues, the designation of May as Asian
    Pacific Heritage Month each year became the law of the land.
        The month of May was chosen because of its significance to Asian
    Pacific American history. In the first week of May in 1843, the first
    Japanese arrived in America. And on May 10, 1869, Golden Spike Day, the
    Transcontinental Railroad, built partly with Chinese labor, was
    completed. Today, 150 years after these historic events, nearly 8
    million Asian Pacific Americans can trace their roots to Asia and the
    islands of the Pacific.
        It is astonishing to realize the breadth of diversity among
    Americans of Asian Pacific heritage. The Asian Pacific community
    stretches across thousands of miles and encompasses millions of diverse
    people. In our country the Asian Pacific American community can trace
    its roots to at least 25 different nationalities, more than 75 different
    languages, and literally hundreds of different ethnic groups. Now,
    that's diversity.
        And still Asian Pacific Americans have something in common and
    something to emulate, a commitment to strong families, to community, and
    to instilling in each new generation a respect for educational
    opportunity and hard work. These values have been an essential part of
    success in achieving the American dream, as so many Asian Pacific
    Americans know.
        And while we realize all the rich opportunities America has given to
    all our people, we are aware also of how much Asian Pacific Americans
    have given back to this country. Immigrants from Asia and the Pacific
    helped build our country. Today their descendants are making us even
    better. They are prominent among our scientists, artists, doctors,
    teachers, and other professionals who have enriched the lives of all of
    us in America.
        I want to talk for a moment about the importance of education. The
    Asian Pacific community has demonstrated that a commitment to education
    is truly the key to bettering our lives. Among Asian Pacific Americans
    25 years old and over, 82 percent have had 4 years of high school or
    more; 39 percent have completed 4 years of college or more. For
    individuals, education is the key to economic parity and social
    mobility. But for America, it is the key to our strength and our
    competitiveness in the global economy.
        I want to thank you all again for coming here today to recognize all
    the achievements and the contributions that Asian Pacific Americans have
    made to this great Nation. I hope that we can continue to come together
    as we have today to rejoice in our diversity as we renew the bonds of
    community that bring all Americans together. I believe that if we
    embrace those things which we share, if we embrace our common values and
    our common goals, we strengthen ourselves, our community, and our
    democracy, and we make ourselves free to celebrate the richness of our
    diversity.
        Therefore, it is with great pride and admiration that I take this
    opportunity, my first one, to sign the proclamation proclaiming this
    Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:40 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. The proclamation is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.