*EPF511 05/02/2003
Text: Rep. David Wu Hails Contributions of Asian/Pacific Americans
(Remarks to House on Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month) (680)

The chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus hailed the start of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in a speech to the House of Representatives May 1.

This is the 25th year highlighting the contributions of Asian/Pacific Americans, Representative David Wu (Democrat of Oregon) noted.

"Asian Pacific Americans have made tremendous advances in countless fields such as politics, medicine, technology, business, music, literature, film, athletics, and agriculture," Wu told fellow lawmakers.

Their contributions, he added, have included helping to build the transcontinental railroad that linked the nation with steel in the late 1800s and helping develop the Internet.

Asian/Pacific Americans, Wu continued, "have served honorably to defend the United States in times of armed conflict," from the Civil War through the war in Iraq.

"And, as I speak today, an Asian Pacific American astronaut, Edward Lu, is stationed aboard the International Space Station," he added.

"I am proud to recognize these achievements," Wu said.

Following is the text of Representative Wu's May 1 speech from the Congressional Record:

(begin text)

ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

SPEECH OF HON. DAVID WU OF OREGON
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2003

Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this first day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to honor our Nation's Asian Pacific American community. This month marks the 25th year that our nation has rightly recognized and celebrated the many contributions and achievements of Asian Pacific Americans.

Mr. Speaker, America draws its strength from its tremendous diversity. The Asian Pacific American community is one of the fastest growing segments of the United States with over 12.5 million people. We have greatly enriched the American landscape, and I am honored to take part in Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by celebrating the many achievements of APAs in American history.

Asian Pacific Americans have made tremendous advances in countless fields such as politics, medicine, technology, business, music, literature, film, athletics, and agriculture. APAs helped build the Transcontinental Railroad and develop the Internet, and APAs have served honorably to defend the United States in times of armed conflict, from the Civil War through today. And, as I speak today, an Asian Pacific American astronaut, Edward Lu, is stationed aboard the International Space Station. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I am proud to recognize these achievements.

The Asian Pacific American community has made these achievements despite the obstacles of past discriminatory laws, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the Alien Law Act of 1920, and the forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Like so many other segments of America, the APA community has thrived in the face of opposition.

While Asian Pacific Americans as a whole have flourished in the United States, there are still challenges facing certain segments of the APA community today. Many immigrants, refugees, and particular ethnic groups, including Southeast Asians and Pacific Islanders, are still working to achieve the American dream. We must not forget those who are struggling to overcome obstacles, including language and cultural barriers, as well as the discrimination that still exists today.

Mr. Speaker, the Asian Pacific American community is itself a diverse group of people with distinct languages and cultures. Therefore, I cannot stress enough the importance of improving our data collection on APAs. Today, Government data tends to lump various Asian Pacific Americans together in a single category. Better data will allow us to recognize the diversity and distinct cultures of the many communities that make up the Asian Pacific American community as a whole. This knowledge will allow the United States to better address the different needs of what is a very diverse community; so that all Americans have the same opportunity to attain the American dream.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to encourage Congress and the American people to spend the month of May learning about the legacy, culture, rich traditions, and achievements of the Asian Pacific American Community.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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