[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 28 (Thursday, February 21, 2008)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E216-E217] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CHI MUI POST OFFICE BUILDING ______ HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF of california in the house of representatives Thursday, February 21, 2008 Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a well-respected and dedicated leader in the 29th Congressional District and a role model in the Asian community, Chi Mui, mayor of the city of San Gabriel. It is with great pride that I introduce a resolution today to pay tribute to Chi Mui, with what may be the first honor of its kind for a Chinese- American, by naming the San Gabriel, California Post Office for him. Born in Toisan, China, on October 26, 1952, Chi Mui was a man of humble origins whose early experiences enabled him to relate and connect to the Asian community in California. His parents, a seamstress and a cook, left for the United States in 1963 when Chi Mui was 10 and moved to New York City's Chinatown. It was in New York City that Mui learned to speak English and graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Polytechnic University of New York in 1980. After moving to Southern California in 1980, Chi Mui began working to better the lives of immigrants in the region. Chi Mui's immigrant roots and experiences gave him special insight, wisdom and the ability to connect with the experiences of generations of people who have come to this country and to San Gabriel for a better life. Mayor Mui always recognized, and never failed to pay tribute to, his parents for their sacrifices and encouragement of their children's education and aspirations for the future. Mui was a key player in the development of 600 units of affordable and senior housing for Chinatown and taught citizenship to help hundreds of legal residents become United States citizens. He led the effort to save the 50-acre ``Cornfield'' in downtown Los Angeles as open space, was instrumental in organizing the Chinatown Yard Alliance, and successfully obtained $35 million from the state in 2001 to build the first urban state park and community facilities on the Cornfield. An avid runner and athlete, Chi Mui co-founded the Los Angeles Chinatown Athletic Association Volleyball Club where he coached young people in teamwork and sportsmanship. He also worked to expand existing recreational facilities in the Chinatown community. In recognition of his leadership, he was elected president of the Los Angeles Chinese American Citizens Alliance--twice. The Alliance was founded in 1895 to advocate for equal political, economical and educational opportunities for Chinese-Americans. Active in local politics early on, he was a field representative for Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles) when she was in the Assembly, and he worked for former Assemblyman Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) and State Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles). In March 2003 he made history as the first Asian and Chinese-American to be elected to the San Gabriel City Council since its incorporation in 1913. In a city where one in every two residents is Asian, Mayor Mui often played an important role as a liaison between the city government and the Asian community and he worked diligently to improve the lives of all residents. As [[Page E217]] a city councilmember, Chi Mui led the effort to maintain better hours at the county public library in San Gabriel to provide greater access to residents and students without increasing costs. An advocate of parks and open space, the `greening' of San Gabriel was a personal passion, to which he brought considerable connections and resources. He was instrumental in helping the City obtain an additional $50,000 for the master plan and redesign of Vincent Lugo Park. Mayor Mui passed away on April 27, 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer. The loss is still being felt by the communities he served and those that had the privilege of working closely with him for the betterment of the region. Although we cannot know how Mayor Mui might have continued to shape lives in the Los Angeles area, I can say with confidence that his work and contributions will always be cherished. Please join me in honoring this devoted public servant by dedicating the San Gabriel Post Office in his name. ____________________