[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 9459] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]COMMEMORATING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH ______ HON. NICK LAMPSON of texas in the house of representatives Thursday, May 15, 2008 Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, this May, all Americans take time to commemorate Asian Pacific Heritage Month. As a proud member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I honor and celebrate the culture, achievements and valuable contributions of Asian Pacific Americans. This May marks thirty years since the first ten days of May were designated Asian Pacific Heritage Week. This was extended to a full month once it became quite clear that a week would not be nearly enough time to do justice to the abundant contributions Asian Pacific Americans have made to our Nation, without which we could never have reached the heights we have today. Asian Pacific Americans are one of the most diverse, talented and successful ethnic groups in America today. There are nearly 16 million Asian Pacific Americans who call America home, representing more than 5 percent of the U.S. population. In my district, they are without question the fastest growing ethnic group. In Fort Bend and Harris counties, the growth of Asian Pacific Americans has been dramatic. In many cases the growth of Asian Pacific Americans has been more than three times the growth of the overall population. Fort Bend now has the largest percentage of Asian Americans of any county in Texas. In particular, in Sugar Land and my home, Stafford, Asian Pacific Americans make up more than 20 percent of the overall population. However, population growth is only part of the story. As the grandson of immigrants, I know true assimilation means preserving tradition while achieving success. I am in awe at how quickly the Asian Pacific- American community has mastered both. Asian Pacific Americans have quickly taken hold of many of the most prominent civic, industry, philanthropic and research-based positions in the Houston area. I would specifically like to honor the trailblazing Asian Pacific American elected officials in my district. Natalie Ong, M.J. Khan, Thomas Abraham, Daniel Wong, Neeta Sane, Ken Mathew, Sonal Bhuchar, and Natasha Kamrani have broken barriers and shattered stereotypes and opened the door for a future generation of Asian Pacific American leaders. With values of hard work, discipline, community and family, it's no wonder that Asian Pacific Americans are one of the fastest-growing, best-educated and highest-earning ethnic groups in the U.S. From the medical professionals who care for us, the educators who teach us and the titans of industry large and small, Asian Pacific-Americans are one of the most indispensable parts of our Nation's ever-growing national tapestry. Asian Pacific-Americans are authentic Americans, and proof that the American dream continues to thrive. I am very proud of my friendship with the Asian Pacific-American community. I remain committed to working with my friends to create and promote policies that help the community and its needs. I will continue to seize every opportunity to recognize the valuable contributions Asian Pacific-Americans make to our community and to the nation. ____________________