Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May 2001. Almost two decades ago, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution declaring the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Week as May 4-10, 1979. Then, a decade ago, the celebration was extended to the entire month. Finally, Public Law 102-450 approved on October 23, 1992, designated May of each year as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
I am proud that the region I represent in Congress is a diverse one and is home to many people of Asian Pacific heritage. So many of my constituents have distinguished themselves through their accomplishments in education, business, medicine and science, and other forms of public and private sector involvement, and through a strong and successful family life. To commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I would like to briefly highlight the remarkable accomplishments of three distinguished Asian Pacific American civic leaders who represent constituents from California's 27th Congressional District, which I am proud to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
John Chiang has shown a deep and genuine commitment to public service as Vice Chair of the California Board of Equalization. Elected as the representative of the Fourth District of the Board of Equalization in 1998, Mr. Chiang has promoted public-private community outreach and taxpayer-education initiatives to better serve his more than 8 million constituents in Los Angeles County. Mr. Chiang organized the first joint Board of Equalization, Franchise Tax Board, and Internal Revenue Service seminar for nonprofit organizations and joined with the Los Angeles County Assessor's Office to hold a tax seminar for religious organizations. He has also organized business and labor forums on fighting tax evasion in the "underground economy'' and sponsored state legislative reforms to enhance the California Taxpayers' Bill of Rights. John is the son of Judy Chiang, a generous and committed community volunteer, and Dr. Mutong Thomas Chiang, a thoughtful and dedicated scholar.
Carol Liu has a long-standing record of community leadership, culminating with her election last year as the representative of California's 44th Assembly District. Assemblymember Liu's top priority is to restore California's public education system to be among the very best in the nation. Prior to her election to the State Assembly, Ms. Liu's work in education included serving as a PTA President, President of the Pasadena
Matthew Y.C. Lin, M.D., is the first Asian American elected to serve as a Member of the City Council of the City of San Marino, California. Dr. Lin, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, has an extensive record of community service. His volunteer activities include leadership positions with the San Marino Schools Foundation, Pasadena Symphony, Chinese Club of San Marino, United Way of the San Gabriel Valley and Luke Christian Medical Mission. He has sought to improve the lives of our children through his service at the West San Gabriel Valley Boys and Girls Club, Asian Youth Center, and by coaching AYSO soccer and serving as assistant coach for the San Marino High School Judo Club. He has taken part in voluntary medical missions to aid the victims of disasters, responding to the Taiwan earthquake in September 1999 and the earthquake in El Salvador in January 200 1. Dr. Lin and his wife, Joy, are the proud parents of four adult children, Jenny, George, Tim and Jerry.
I am proud to recognize the community and civic accomplishments of Councilman Lin, Assemblywoman Liu and Board of Equalization Member Chiang as we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. They are truly remarkable leaders who through their service to our communities are an inspiration to us all.