American Asian Justice Act

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to express my support for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Made possible through an act of the United States Congress in 1978, Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was then expanded into a month long celebration in 1992. The month of May was appropriately chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States and the completion of the transcontinental railroad. As we celebrate the 25th year, this May is an excellent opportunity for all Americans to celebrate, honor and reflect on the many accomplishments and contributions of the Asian Pacific American community.

From the transcontinental railroad to the halls of Congress, Asian Pacific Americans have played a major role in the development of our nation with an increasing presence in the Federal government. I would like to acknowledge the many accomplished leaders of Asian descent currently serving our country. In the President's Cabinet alone, we have two prominent leaders, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, the first Asian Pacific American to serve in the President's Cabinet. Congressman Bob Matsui, Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is the first Asian Pacific American to serve in the House Democratic leadership. Washington Governor Gary Locke, Chair of the Democratic Governors Association, is the first Asian Pacific American to deliver the Democratic response to the President's State of the Union Address.

And of course, one cannot have a discussion about leadership within the Asian Pacific American community without reflecting on the career and accomplishments of my dear friend, the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink. We must continue on in this tradition by encouraging more Asian Pacific Americans to forge ahead in non-traditional sectors as my friend Patsy Mink did. Patsy was a true trailblazer. She was the first Asian Pacific American woman to practice law in Hawaii and the first woman of color elected to Congress. The APA community has come far from its humble beginnings, but there is still much work we need to do.

While APAs as a whole have flourished in the United States, there are still challenges facing certain segments of the community. Recent immigrants and refugees are still working to achieve the American dream. My district is home to Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander populations whose challenges include post-war stress and inadequate job skills. I urge my colleagues not to forget those who are struggling to overcome language and cultural barriers, as well as discrimination.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce legislation that will ensure the Asian Pacific American community continues to thrive. In the 108th Congress, I have introduced the following bills:

H.R. 1984, the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act, provides veteran benefits to the Filipino veterans who fought side by side with American soldiers during World War II. In addition to providing desperately needed health care to veterans, this bill calls for home loan assistance for U.S. based Filipino veterans, educational assistance for U.S. and Philippine based dependents, vocational rehabilitation, and employment services, job counseling, training, and placement services for U.S. based veterans.

H.R. 1486 urges the Secretary of Education to commission a study to examine ways to increase the graduation rate for Native American and Native Hawaiian secondary school students, as well as for students residing in American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

H.R. 1983, the Amerasian Justice Act, will amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to facilitate the immigration to the United States of children born in the Philippines or Japan who were fathered by United States citizens. There are now more than 50,000 Amerasian children in the Philippines and 6,000 Amerasian children in Japan burdened by social stigma and psychological stress which affect viable opportunities for employment, education or family life.

H. Con. Res. 83 honors the victims of the Cambodian genocide that took place between 1975 and 1979, and pays tribute to the survivors who made their way to the United States. It also expresses the sense of Congress's commitment to pursue justice for the victims.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a district that reflects America's greatest strength--our rich cultural diversity. As we commemorate May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we must celebrate the culture, traditions and achievements of Asian Pacific Americans, but we must also reflect on how to meet the challenges that will face the community in years to come.