Patsy T. Mink: “I rise to pay tribute to notable accomplishments by Asian Pacific Americans as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is…”

“I rise to pay tribute to notable accomplishments by Asian Pacific Americans as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is commemorated here in the Nation's Capital and in other cities nationwide. The annual celebration of this month of meaningful observance stems back to 1978, and is now carried on under Public Law 102-450, which permanently designated the month of May upon finding that "Asian and Pacific Americans have contributed significantly to the development of the arts, sciences, government, military, commerce, and education in the United States." Comprising nearly 10 million, or 3.7 percent of the U.S. population, Asian Pacific Americans rank among the highest in our educational institutions, hold high political office and log advances in entrepreneurship. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1994, nearly 90 percent of Asian Pacific Islander men and 80 percent of Asian pacific Islander women aged 25 years and older had at least a high school diploma. In addition, an estimated 46 percent of men and 37 percent of women had at least a bachelor's degree. Median income of Asian and Pacific Islander households in 1995 was $40,614. Business ownership figures show that the number of businesses owned by Asian and Pacific Islanders increased 56 percent between 1987 and 1992, from 386,291 to 603,439. Asian Pacific American visibility in government is also on the rise. My State of Hawaii boasts the first Filipino-American Governor, Benjamin Cayetano.”