[Page: H11278]

Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5572) to designate May of each year as `Asian/Pacific-American Heritage Month.'

The Clerk read as follows:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that--

(1) on May 7, 1843, the 1st Japanese immigrants came to the United States;

(2) on May 10, 1869, Golden Spike Day, the 1st transcontinental railroad in the United States was completed with significant contributions from Chinese pioneers;

(3) in 1979, at Congress' direction, the President proclaimed the week beginning on May 4, 1979, as Asia/Pacific American Heritage Week, providing an opportunity for the people of the United States to recognize the history, concerns, contributions, and achievements of Asian and Pacific Americans;

(4) in 1990, 1991 and 1992, Congress designated and the President proclaimed the month of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month;

(5) nearly 8,000,000 people in the United States can trace their roots to Asia and the islands of the Pacific; and

(6) Asian and Pacific Americans have contributed significantly to the development of the arts, sciences, government, military, commerce, and education in the United States.

SEC. 2. ANNUAL COMMEMORATION.

(a) Designation: May of each year is designated as `Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month'.

(b) Federal Proclamation: The President is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the month designated in subsection (a) with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

(c) State Proclamations: The chief executive officer of each State is requested to issue annually a proclamation calling on the people of the State to observe the month designated in subsection (a) with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

(d) Definition: For purposes of subsection (c), the term `State' means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Sawyer] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Horton] will be recognized for 20 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Sawyer].

Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring before the House legislation to designate May of each year as `Asian/Pacific-American Heritage Month'.

H.R. 5572 is the product of many years of work by the distinguished dean of the New York delegation, Frank Horton. Congressman Horton is retiring at the end of this Congress, after 30 years of service in this body.

So, first, I want to use this opportunity to extend my best wishes to Frank and his family, and to recognize his enormous contributions to this institution and to the American people.

Frank, we are grateful for your leadership and guidance over these many years. You have consistently placed principle and fairness over partisan concerns. You have been a conciliator in the true sense of the word. Your skills as a legislator will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5572 would designate an annual public observance in recognition of the fastest growing segment of our population, Asian-Americans.

Since 1978, when Congress first considered legislation to recognize the contributions of Asian-Americans, the number of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage has more than doubled, to nearly 8 million.

This population is also enormously diverse, with many ethnic backgrounds of differing language and culture. Some Asian groups have been in the United States for several generations; others are more recent immigrants.

The longstanding policy of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service governing commemorative legislation prohibits recurring annual commemoratives. Over the years, the committee has diligently enforced that provision of the policy.

However, in a few instances, and after careful review beyond our usual standard for commemoratives, the committee has approved exceptions to the policy.

Those exceptions were granted in cases where the committee determined that the subject matter was of extraordinary national significance and where circumstances clearly supported a waiver from the stated policy.

Applying that strict standard, the committee found a clear basis for approving an exception to the policy for H.R. 5572.

The subject matter of the bill is of extraordinary national significance in light of the substantial demographic change sweeping the country. The United States truly continues to be a nation of immigrants, and the diversity of the population continues to contribute to the strength and progress of the Nation.

The committee also considered the existence of similar annual periods of public observance in recognition of other numerically large racial minority groups.

In 1968, Congress enacted legislation designating `National Hispanic Heritage Week.' That act was later amended to extend the recognition to a month, from September 15 to October 15 of each year.

In addition, the President annually designates February as `Black History Month.'

Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this effort by the gentleman from New York.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. HORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 8 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be the primary sponsor of H.R. 5572. As the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Sawyer] explained, this bill would designate the month of May of each year as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

In addition to the annual designation of the month, my legislation would request that the President and the Governor of each State annually issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the month designated with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

I want to thank the chairman, and the ranking minority member of the Post Office and Civil Service Committee, Mr. Clay and Mr. Gilman, for their strong support for my legislation to designate May of each year as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. I also want to express my appreciation to the chairman of the Subcommittee on Census and Population, Representative Tom Sawyer of Ohio, and also the ranking minority member of the subcommittee, Representative Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania, for their assistance in bringing this measure to the floor in an expedited fashion.

On June 30, 1977, I had the unique honor and pleasure of introducing House Joint Resolution 540 and later House Joint Resolution 1007 which for the first time in this Nation's history, asked the Congress and the people of the United States to set aside a period in May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. I should add that I feel a great deal of satisfaction in the dramatic growth of organizations dedicated to attracting attention to the problems and issues confronting Asian-Americans. Virtually all of these organizations have been formed as a result of the original legislation in 1977.

Asian-Americans are now the fastest growing minority group in America. Nearly 8 million Americans can trace their roots to Asia and the islands of the Pacific.

I am joined in this action by my distinguished colleague from California, Mr. Norman Mineta, who was also the original sponsor with me in 1977. Mr. Mineta has been one of the strongest supporters in my effort to achieve recognition for Asian/Pacific Americans. Joining with us in support of this measure are Mr. Matsui of California, Mr. Faleomavaega of American Samoa, Ms. Molinari of New York, Mrs. Mink of Hawaii, Mr. Blaz of Guam, and Mr. Abercrombie of Hawaii.

More than 15 years ago a woman came to my office and told my administrative assistant, Ruby Moy, and me a very compelling and

persuasive story. Today, I would like to share the origin of this landmark legislation.

The celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month has a very deep and personal meaning for Jeanie Jew and her family. Their story began sometime in the 1800's when a young man, M.Y. Lee left Canton, China to find a better life in America. Mr. Lee was one of the first Chinese pioneers to help build the transcontinental railroad. He later became a prominent California businesman. When the Chinese were having difficulties in Oregon, Mr. Lee traveled to Oregon and was killed during that period of unrest. It was a time of anti-Chinese and anti-Asian sentiment. The revelations about Mr. Lee and the story of Asian Americans led this one woman to believe that not only should Asians understand their own heritage, but that all Americans must know about the contributions and histories of the Asian-Pacific American experience in the United States. Jeanie Jew, the creator of the idea for a heritage month is the granddaughter of M.Y. Lee, the early pioneer.

The original resolution designated the week beginning May 4 as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Week because that week included two significant occasions in the proud history of Asian Americans. May 10, 1809, or Golden Spike Day was the day on which the transcontinental railroad was completed, largely by Chinese-American pioneers. May 7, 1843, marks the date of the first arrival of the Japanese in the United States. Both dates will fittingly be included in Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.

I want to commend the two women who made this event possible, Ruby Moy and Jeanie Jew. Mrs. Jew turned a personal tragedy in her family history into a positive force.

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month will now be observed by all Americans. I also want to thank Ruby Moy, my administrative assistant, for her efforts to pass this legislation. She holds the highest professional position to a Member of Congress, and is a second generation Asian-American.

In 1977, Mrs. Jew and Ms. Moy cofunded the congressional Asian-Pacific staff caucus, an organization which collectively worked for the establishment of the first heritage proclamation and supports yearly efforts to perpetuate its recognition. The caucus, a group of professional staff members of Asian descent, periodically discusses and reviews legislation and issues of concern to Asian-Pacific Americans.

I take a great deal of pride in my involvement with the Asian-American community. Asian and Pacific Americans have contributed significantly to the development of the arts, sciences, government, military, commerce, and education in the United States.

I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution and in recognizing the history and contributions of Asian-Pacific Americans, particularly during Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. Immediately following my statement, I am including a letter I recently received from Mrs. Jeanie Jew for insertion in the Record.
Springfield, VA, October 4, 1992.

Hon. Frank Horton,
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Horton: I was deeply saddened to learn of your announcement to retire from the U.S. House of Representatives. Your departure is not only a loss for New York State and the Congress, but especially for a community of nearly 8 million people across the United States--the Asian/Pacific American. When the gavel signifies the end of the 102nd Congress, our voices will be silent for a time--out of respect--because a great person, the distinguished gentleman from the 29th Congressional District of New York, is leaving the Chamber. You have been our Champion.

For more than a decade, as the chief sponsor with your colleague, Congressman Norman Y. Mineta of California, you have introduced every bill and resolution establishing Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week and Month. Since its first observance, the celebration in May has become the single most significant event for Asian and Pacific Islanders and all Americans to learn more about our concerns, contributions, achievements and history in the U.S. Your legislative efforts on behalf of Asian Americans will be the benchmark for others to follow. The passage of H.R. 5572 is not only a tribute to the many people and communities directly involved, but particularly to you and the U.S. Congress for effective leadership--and the formal recognition of the Asian/Pacific American role in America's past, present and future.

My special thanks to your office, professional staff members, and especially to Ruby G. Moy, your Chief of Staff and Administrative Assistant, for her outstanding efforts and commitment to this landmark legislation.

Robert joins me in expressing our heartfelt appreciation and in wishing you and Nancy the very best.

Sincerely,
Jeanie F. Jew.

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[TIME: 2040]

Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Clay], chairman of the full Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, without whose leadership this timely consideration would not be possible.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me, and I rise in support of this bill, which is sponsored by my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Horton].

Mr. Speaker, it is a fitting tribute to the gentleman from New York that we pass this measure in recognition of his great efforts in behalf of the Asian Pacific American community.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay special tribute to my friend and respected colleague, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Horton].

Several months ago, Frank stood in the well of this House and announced that he would not seek reelection, that he would retire at the conclusion of this year after some 30 years in this House.

I, like many of our colleagues, was stunned and saddened by the announcement. The citizens of New York State will lose a great servant. The Chamber will lose a great legislator. The Federal and postal workers will lose a great champion and, of course, the Nation will lose a great statesman.

I will lose not only a comrade on the legislative battlefield but, most of all, I will lose a longtime companion and ally.

During this Congress, Mr. Speaker, we have become almost complacent over the decisions of colleagues to leave this body. I will miss many of them as time goes by. I miss those who have left before us and those who are about to go. I know one man that I will miss. I'll miss the pat of his large hand on my back, followed by the bellow of that Cajun rolling voice and the citation of some obscure baseball stats on heroes past and present. Too many times the American public watches us on TV as we battle in the legislative rhetoric like characters in a show. What they sometimes forget is that we are real live humans with hearts, souls and feelings, just like them.

Frank, I'll miss you, but always know that you'll never be forgotten as a great legislator and statesman. I wish you and Nancy all the joy and happiness that God can spare.

Mr. HORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to thank the gentleman from Missouri for his very fine remarks. I have enjoyed working with him and this committee particularly. I have the greatest regard for his leadership and his dedication. He is a very fine Member of Congress, and the people in his district certainly respect him. They have sent him back many, many times.

But more importantly, he is the voice of the Congress in representing the Federal employees. And I think one of the most important pieces of legislation that I have ever sponsored has been the effort that he and I have been engaged in to try to repeal the Hatch Act so that the fellow Americans who work for the Federal Government can be American citizens just like the rest of us. Because today they are not.

And the Clay-Horton bill, to repeal the Hatch Act, is still pending. I do not think it will be acted on in this Congress, but I am going to leave it up to his leadership to see that it gets enacted in the near future.

They are the only class of people in America that do not have the responsibilities that the rest of Americans have. They cannot participate in the political process like everyone else can. And until that Hatch Act, which is over 50 years of age, is repealed, those people are going to continue to be second-class citizens.

I would certainly hope that in the next Congress that that can be attended to. I have enjoyed my work in the House. It is a great institution. I am proud of it. I am proud of the opportunity that I have had to serve here and particularly to serve on the Committee on the Post Office and Civil Service.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HORTON. I yield to the gentleman from Missouri.

Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate the kind remarks. I can assure the gentleman that if I am reelected in November, one of the first pieces of legislation that will go on the President's desk, hopefully a President who is committed to freeing the Federal employees from the present bondage that they serve under, not being able to participate fully in the political process, will sign the bill.

Mr. HORTON. Win one for the Gipper. That is me.

Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta], a leader whose commitment on behalf of the measure before us is unsurpassed on our side of the aisle.

[TIME: 2050]

Mr. MINETA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my very distinguished friend, the gentleman from Ohio, for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5572, legislation to permanently designate the month of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.

Along with my distinguished friend and colleague from New York, Congressman Frank Horton, I am very proud to be a cosponsor of this important legislation. I wish to thank Frank for all of his efforts and interest in issues involving the Asian-Pacific American community.

H.R. 5572 will build on the work Frank began in 1979, when the Congress first recognized Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.

In 1988, this was expanded to a month-long observance, and the legislation before us today will make the designation of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month a permanent one.

The observance of Heritage Month each year has become an important celebration for all Americans of Asian and Pacific Islands ancestry. Around the country, community organizations take advantage of the opportunity it presents to educate our fellow Americans about our communities, our contributions, and our history in America.

I am very proud that today the House is recognizing the importance of this annual celebration by bringing H.R. 5572 to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to approve the bill.

As I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 5572.

But the fact that this legislation is before us today is truly a tribute to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Horton].

This is a year in which many of our colleagues have announced their retirements, Mr. Speaker. But I can think of no departure from this House that saddens me more than Frank Horton's.

As an Asian-Pacific American, I can say truthfully that our communities have never had a greater friend in the Congress than Frank Horton. Throughout his career in the House, his has been a voice for justice and equality--for us and for all Americans.

It has been a great honor for me to work with Frank, his administrative assistant, Ruby Moi, and his former staff member, Jeanie Jew. They have been true friends, and I know my colleagues join me in wishing Frank well in his retirement. He will surely be missed in this institution, he will be missed by this gentleman from California and Mr. Horton will be especially missed by the Asian-Pacific American community.

Mr. HORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this occasion to thank personally the gentleman from California, Norm Mineta, not only for his comments here tonight and for the comments that he has made, but for his support for this legislation.

I also want to take this occasion to thank him and congratulate him on his leadership of H.R. 442, which was to correct a terrible injustice that was done during World War II.

As I have said several times on this floor during the course of debate on that particular legislation, I happened to be serving with the U.S. Army in Italy when the 442d, which was composed of Asian-Pacific Americans, and mostly Chinese and Japanese, landed in Italy. I was there and I greeted them. I watched the course of action and watched them in action, and they were one of the most heroic organizations in the U.S. Army. Many of them died, many of them received medals, and that community was one of the most highly decorated units in the U.S. Army during World War II. It was very appropriate that that bill be designated 442.

I want to take this occasion personally to thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta] and his efforts there. That, combined with what we are doing here, and what has resulted as a result of this legislation, I think has brought the Asian-Pacific community together. Today they are making even more contributions than they have ever made, and now they are getting the recognition that they should have.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I do so only to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from New York [Mr. Horton] with regard to our mutual friend, the gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta]. His leadership on a whole range of Asian and Pacific Islander issues has been exemplary, but I want to take a moment to offer personal thanks for his guidance and assistance in the course of the last several years as we have sought to bring about the full enumeration of that community in our country in all of its diversity, recognizing that, as is the case with so many Americans, they are not of one blood by any means, but rather, come to this country bound together with one belief that all of us together comprise a single nation.

On behalf of that leadership and help I offer personal thanks.

• Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5572, a bill which would designate May of each year as `Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.' As an original cosponsor of this legislation, I believe it is important that this legislation becomes law so all Americans can recognize the achievements of Asian-Pacific Americans, and can understand and appreciate the role of Asian Americans and Pacific Americans in the our Nation's history as well as in America's future.

• Asian-Pacific Americans owe a great deal to the first generation that struggled to make a life for themselves and their families here in the United States. As a relatively recent group of newcomers to this country, we have the blessing of being closer in touch with our roots. Not only can we celebrate our customs and traditions, we can count the generations of our families going back centuries, and also remember the stories of our families' struggles and accomplishments.

• Asian-Pacific Americans have a proud, rich, and diverse history. Our antecedents were pioneers who traveled far to improve the lives of themselves and their families, and helped our Nation achieve its greatness. Our pioneer ancestors made innumerable and immeasurable sacrifices to provide an opportunity for their descendants to succeed in schooling and careers.

• We should take great pride as a nation in the history of Asian-Pacific Americans. But we must also realize that the mentality that led that generation to survive in America is keeping second, third, and fourth generation Asian-Americans from reaching their full potential. Our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents had a survivalist mentality: they wanted to succeed, but they did not want to rock the boat. They did not want to draw attention to themselves or cause problems by attempting to reform society. And perhaps they were not in a position at that time to do so.

• But times have changed, and the Asian-Pacific American community can make a difference. Each Asian-Pacific American has a responsibility to provide leadership for the community. I exhort Asian-Pacific Americans across this great land to look beyond yourselves and your immediate family, and I urge you to see what you can contribute to this country. Asian-Pacific Americans must overcome our ancestors' survivalist mentality and be aggressive in talking on challenges. Clearly, we are up against many obstacles: language barriers, stereotypes, and anti-Asian bigotry. But Asian-Pacific Americans must overcome their apathy in their community and in politics if we are to be fully united with the mainstream of America.

• I applaud the accomplishments of Asian-Pacific Americans in many diverse fields. Asian-Pacific Americans display professionalism, courage, and leadership in such diverse fields as education, athletics, science, engineering, the arts, medicine, the law, and the small business. Asian-Pacific Americans demonstrate daily to the world that we can be leaders in any field. We must continue to strive for excellence: to make ourselves, and our community, be the best. Let there be no doubt that this in turn will help make our country strong. Asian-Pacific Americans have an indomitable spirit to work and build, our future promises to be as rich and accomplished as our past.

• Mr. GILMAN. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5572 and I would like to commend my good friend and colleague from New York, Frank Horton, for introducing this legislation. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the chairman of the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee, my good friend Bill Clay, for his expedient handling of this measure. H.R. 5572 would designate the month of May each year as `Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.'

• Mr. Speaker, the chairman and the ranking member of the subcommittee on Census and Population, Tom Ridge, should be complimented for recommending that an exception to committee policy be granted in this Bill's case and for supporting this legislation in full committee.

• Asian-Pacific Americans are the fastest growing segment of our country's population. A newly released profile by the Census Bureau estimates the Asian-Pacific American population to be approximately 7 million, or about 3 percent of our Nation's total population. The survey further showed that most Asian-Pacific Americans are concentrated in the western region of the United States with 94 percent living in our metropolitan areas. My own congressional district in New York has seen a large growth in its Asian-Pacific American population. Asian-Pacific Americans have contributed significantly to our country's culture, society, and economy, and have played an important role in the history of our country.

• Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H.R. 5572, I am pleased to join with and again commend the chief sponsor of this legislation, Frank Horton, who has championed many worthy causes for the Asian-Pacific American Community.

• Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5572, and to congratulate, the gentleman from New York, Frank Horton on his upcoming retirement. Frank Horton has served with distinction in this body for the past 30 years. He should be commended for his arduous work on behalf of the American Postal worker and other Federal employees, the Federal Government, and indeed all Americans. Mr. Speaker, Frank Horton's presence and counsel in this body will be sorely missed.

Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ray). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Sawyer] that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5572.

The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

END