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Pelosi Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

April 30, 2007

Pelosi Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Thursday, May 1, 2007

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. â€" Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which begins on Tuesday, May 1:

â€Å"As the month of May begins, I am proud to recognize Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This year’s theme: ‘Meeting the Challenges for Asian Pacific Americans,’ recognizes the struggles Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) face, and their ability to overcome them to define their place in American history.

â€Å"As the Representative from the 8th District of California, I would not be able to call San Francisco home without the lasting contributions of AAPIs. San Francisco is home to our nation’s oldest Japantown and one of the largest Chinatowns. It is home to many of the courageous Filipino World War II veterans, who are still fighting bravely for the recognition they deserve. It is home to Pacific Islanders, who for generations made their way inland, sharing their distinct culture and heritage. It is home to Asian American youth and hard-working first generation immigrants. San Francisco is the home of a beautiful diversity, which I’m proud to represent.

â€Å"For all the success of the AAPI community in San Francisco and around the country, challenges remain that we still must address. Immigration is a hurdle that affects all Americans, particularly AAPIs. Whether it is a Chinese student waiting for a visa, or the South Asian worker waiting to be reunited with his family, comprehensive immigration reform is a challenge that must be met.

â€Å"AAPIs also face the tragic challenge of hate crimes. Although a hate crime may affect the life of one victim, its impact reaches deep into the community. All Americans have a right to feel safe in their community. That is why strengthening hate crimes prevention legislation is a priority of this Congress.

â€Å"As we celebrate APA Heritage Month we must learn from the struggles of the past, remembering and using it to secure a brighter future. Within their diversity, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders work together and have joined their numerous voices into one with a vision of equality, justice, and opportunity for all. So in these 31 days of May, we celebrate that spirit, while recognizing the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders to rise above the challenges and make our nation stronger.”