Schiff Honors Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Statement

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Congressman Adam Schiff recognized the contributions of the Asian Pacific American community by making the following remarks in the House of Representatives:

"I am proud to represent the 29th District of California, home to one of the largest Asian American and Pacific Islander populations in Southern California; almost one-fourth of my constituents are of Asian Pacific heritage. Earlier this year I had the honor of naming Temple City City Councilmember Judy S. Wong and Alice Lan-Hua Hwang 29th Congressional District Women of the Year for 2005 in recognition of their contributions to our community."

"Countless lives in Southern California benefit from the leadership provided by these women and other prominent Asian Pacific Americans such as Board of Equalization Member John Chiang, Assembly Members Judy Chu and Carol Liu, Alhambra City Council Member Gary Yamauchi, Alhambra School Board Members Robert Gin and Chester Chau, Altadena Town Council Member Lucille Hino, Glendale Community College Trustee Victor King, Monterey Park Mayor Mike Eng, Monterey Park City Council Members Betty Tom Chu and David Lau and Monterey Park City Treasurer Mitchell Ing, Garvey School Board Members Henry Lo and John Yuen, Temple City School Board Member Edward Chen, South Pasadena Council Member Mike Ten, South Pasadena School Board Member Joseph Loo, San Gabriel City Council Member Chi Mui and San Gabriel School Board Member Ken Tcheng."

"This week the House considered a resolution honoring the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to American society over the past thirty years. The consideration of this bill is timely as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of South Vietnam to Communist rule. Over the course of three decades, through perseverance and hard work, the 1.5 million Vietnamese who resettled in the United States have been able to build new lives and form a vibrant community which has strengthened our nation immeasurably. Yet this community has not forgotten its heritage and has worked tirelessly to promote democracy and freedom in Vietnam; to extend the same rights they enjoy to the people of the land they were forced to leave."

"From every tragedy springs a new hope. The fall of Saigon resulted in a world refugee crisis of historic proportions, creating over three million refugees. But were it not for this event, America would not be the same. As with millions of other Asian and Pacific Islanders, Vietnamese Americans have enriched our society and woven their own traditions into the beautiful tapestry that is America. I would like to thank the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for their contribution to our district and society, our community would be incomplete without them."

Congressman Schiff is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations committees. He represents California's 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.

Source