Issues

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2006
“Dreams and Challenges of Asian Pacific Americans.”

Back in 1978, Congress established the first 10 days of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. Subsequent efforts were made to extend the week-long celebration to a month-long event. In the 102nd Congress, I was an original cosponsor of legislation—along with my friend, the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink—signed into law that designated May of each year as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

I am honored to serve the First Congressional District of Hawaii which is comprised primarily of Asian Pacific Americans (APA). Their attainments make an inspiring and empowering sight for other APAs from around the country to see. In Hawaii, there is a special strength and resilience embodied in our state's unique cultural mix: we have chosen to be defined by our diversity rather than divided by our differences. That resolve to work together with Aloha can serve as an example to the rest of the country.

As a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) executive committee and the chairman of its Immigration Task Force, I want to honor the many achievements and contributions of the more than fourteen million Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in our country.

While we can look at APA Heritage Month as a time to recognize and celebrate many individual accomplishments, it is also a call to action. My colleagues and I are committed to improving the lives of all APAs by working on issues of importance to our community, such as fighting to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities, defending civil liberties, protecting Social Security, and ensuring educational opportunities for our children. These are the pr inciples that reflect this year’s theme, “Dreams and Challenges of Asian Pacific Americans.”

This year’s theme represents the past and ongoing contributions of APAs, such as Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink who dedicated her life to economic and social justice, Senator Hiram Fong, who was a successful businessman and a strong supporter of civil rights issues, and Japanese American soldiers who fought during World War II, such as Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

This year’s theme is also appropriate because it celebrates the Filipino Centennial which reflects the courage, values, pride and dedication of all Filipinos. The centennial raises awareness about the important accomplishments of Filipinos for the past 100 years in the fields of politics, education, business, labor, industry and medicine, and raise awareness about the challenges and struggles that Filipinos have faced to earn their rightful place in society.

Every APA group represented in Hawaii’s rainbow society has made its contributions and left its mark on our history: Native Hawaiians, who provide the foundation of values which underpin our island culture; Chinese Americans, who bring us the legacy of the world’s oldest civilization; Korean Americans, whose old and new immigrant waves have merged to reinvigorate Hawaii’s public and commercial life; Vietnamese Americans, who have brought new energy to our island mosaic; and Samoans, whose Polynesian heritage has merged with and enriched our own island values. Other groups, too, are making their marks\ and contributing to Hawaii’s ever changing society- Micronesians, Tongans, Laotians, Cambodians and many others.

Throughout our nation’s history, APAs have made and continue to make major contributions in areas such as business, civil liberties, culture & arts, education, medicine, technology and politics. By the year 2050, there will be an estimated 33.4 million U.S. residents who will identify themselves as Asian alone, and they will comprise 8% of the total population. This represents a projected 213% increase of APAs between 2000 and 2050. These statistics reflect the growing significance of the APA community, its growing role in the development of public policy, and its cultural contributions that helps us to celebrate our diversity. I extend my heartfelt aloha to the APA community and look forward to celebrating APA Heritage Month.

For more information about CAPAC click here.