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Skriven 2007-05-10 23:30:54 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0705109) for Thu, 2007 May 10
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President Bush Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and
Presents the President's Volunteer Service Award
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 10, 2007

President Bush Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and
Presents the President's Volunteer Service Award East Room

˙ /news/releases/2007/05/20070510-9.wm.v.html ˙˙Presidential Remarks
˙˙Audio


3:26 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for coming, and welcome to the White House. I'm glad
you're here. Fifteen years ago, my dad -- or as we call him around the
house, "number 41" -- signed a law designating May as Asian Pacific
American Heritage Month. This afternoon, Number 43 -- (laughter) -- has the
honor of continuing Number 41's tradition. And we're glad you're here.
(Applause.)

I thank you for joining me to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage
Month. Across our nation, Americans of Asian Pacific descent are leaders in
fields from education to business to government. Every day, Asian Pacific
Americans make our communities more vibrant -- and this afternoon, we honor
the many contributions that are made to our great democracy.

I want to thank Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, for being here today. Madam
Secretary, we're proud you're here. Thank you for serving. (Applause.) A
former member of my Cabinet, now retired -- well, not exactly retired --
(laughter) -- but a close friend, Norm Mineta, is with us. Thanks for
coming, Mr. Secretary. (Applause.) You're looking pretty good. Yes, I see
that. (Laughter.) I appreciate the fact that Deputy Secretary of Commerce
David Sampson is here. He cannot claim any Asian American heritage, but
nevertheless, he is serving well. (Laughter.) Thank you for coming.

I appreciate the members of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian
American and Pacific Islanders who are here today. Thanks for serving.
Thanks for your good work. I want to thank the recipients of the
President's Volunteer Service Award. We will talk about you all a little
later on here. But we're honored you're here. I do want to thank the
members of the Diplomatic Corps who have joined us. Ambassadors, thank you
for being here. We're honored to have -- by your presence. I do want to
thank World War II veterans and Japanese American veterans who have joined
us today. We're proud to have you here, and thanks for this great example
you've set for those who wear the uniform today. (Applause.) We're really
glad you're here. (Applause.)

The story of Asian Pacific Americans is an important part of the American
story. During the 19th century, Asian Pacific Americans endured great
hardships, for example, to lay the tracks for our first transcontinental
railroad. During times of war, Asian Pacific Americans have defended our
Nation with honor and courage. And during times of prejudice, Asian Pacific
Americans have overcome discrimination to build strong and lasting
communities in our country.

Today, more than 15 million Americans can trace their lineage to Asia or
the Pacific Islands. We see the influence of these Asian Pacific Americans
across all our society. All you have to do is look to see the tremendous
impact our fellow citizens are making. It's a great passion for art and
music which brings new culture -- new life to our cultures. The love of
learning has helped improve our schools, and raise the standards for all
children. A commitment to innovation and free enterprise has helped
strengthen our economy and created jobs. In 2004, I formed a presidential
advisory commission to examine ways of expanding economic opportunities for
Asian Pacific Americans -- and tomorrow I will receive the commission's
final report, and I'm looking forward to getting it.

As Asian Pacific Americans realize the opportunities of our nation, they're
also answering the call to give back to our communities -- and by doing so
they create new opportunities for others. Men and women of Asian Pacific
descent volunteer their talents and time to help their neighbors in a lot
of ways. This afternoon, we honor six Americans of Asian Pacific heritage
with our nation's highest honor for community service: the President's
Volunteer Service Award.

The volunteers we recognize have set a powerful example for all Americans.
They have served important causes -- from providing aid to victims of
natural disasters, to sharing the joy of science with students, to raising
money for libraries in far away lands. These acts of kindness have changed
lives; they've laid the foundation for stronger communities. And they
really speak to the strength of America. Our strength is not our military,
although we'll keep it strong, and our strength is not necessarily the size
of our economy, although we'll keep it robust. The true strength of the
country lies in the hearts and souls of citizens who hear the call to love
a neighbor and do something about it.

One of the honorees is a Virginia Tech student. I had the privilege of
meeting Adeel Khan. See, Adeel is the President of the student government
at Virginia Tech. He took office shortly before the terrible violence hit
that campus. He's had what we call a difficult presidency. (Laughter.) And
yet he understood the need for leadership. He's an impressive guy. He
worked hard with classmates to organize a campus-wide vigil. He helped
bring that important community together. He dealt with the tragedy the way
you'd expect a leader to deal with tragedy. This good young man helped lead
his fellow students in healing. And we know, as he did so, it helped heal
the entire nation.

We see the true spirit of the Asian Pacific American community in the
compassion and decency of citizens like Adeel Khan. We're grateful for the
many contributions that Asian Pacific Americans have made to our nation.
We're proud to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I
congratulate all the honorees. And now I ask Lieutenant Commander Roncska
to read their citations.

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER RONCSKA: Angela An. The President's Volunteer Service
Award to Angela An: From 2004 to 2006, Angela served as a Peace Corps
volunteer in the Secondary Education program in Bulgaria, where she taught
English and Information and Communication Technology to students age 12 to
18 at school in a town -- remote mountain town. In addition, she helped to
organize a summer leadership camp for 40 youth from throughout the country
called Camp GLOW -- Girls Leading Our World. Angela is currently an active
volunteer at Sunrise Assisted Living Facility, and helps deliver groceries
for in-bound senior citizens with Food for All. (Applause.)

Anna DeSanctis. Anna DeSanctis. (Applause.) The President's Volunteer
Service Award to Anna DeSanctis: Anna created the Odyssey Project where she
raised more than $22,000 in 18 months to help create libraries in four
orphanages in the region of China where she was born. The project allowed
her to help children learn about the world through reading. The additional
funds leftover by the Chinese social welfare organizations were used to
construct water wells in two remote villages. (Applause.)

Kay Hiramine. (Applause.) The President's Volunteer Service Award to Kay
Hiramine: In 2001, Kay launched Humanitarian International Services Group
-- HISG -- a U.S.-based humanitarian NGO that helps to find and to mobilize
resources to meet humanitarian needs around the world, and to respond to
disasters and emergencies. In 2006, HISG's activities involved more than 60
nations and 120 projects worldwide, and sent over $8 million in donated
humanitarian assistance. (Applause.)

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, HISG's team launched a private
sector operation center in Houston that mobilized over 1,500 volunteers
into the disaster zone within one month after the hurricane. (Applause.)

Adeel Khan. (Applause.) The President's Volunteer Service Award to Adeel
Khan: In response to the tragic events at Virginia Tech on April 16th,
Adeel has worked diligently to recognize [sic] Hokies United to promote
school spirit and to help heal the community nationwide. Hokies United
helped to organize a candlelight vigil at the university, which was
attended by 40,000 students, faculty, staff and community members. Adeel
serves as the president of the Student Body, is a member of the Student
Alumni Associates, is treasurer of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, and is
the office manager of the Collegiate Times Business Department. (Applause.)

Linda Uehara. (Applause.) The President's Volunteer Service Award to Linda
Uehara: For over 40 years, Linda has been working with youth, families,
schools and communities to promote and support safe and healthy lifestyles
in Hawaii. In 2003, she was appointed by the Governor of the state of
Hawaii to serve on the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, a group
that affects services for about 1,800 youths each year. As a volunteer with
the Hawaii Girls Court she co-facilitates Girls Street Smart, a life skills
program for Asian and Pacific Island girls ages 12 to 18 years, and Girls
Circle, a strength-based approach to honor gifts and talents, build healthy
relationships, and address girls' needs. (Applause.)

Jonathan Wu. (Applause.) The President's Volunteer Service Award to
Jonathan Wu: Jonathan established Science Alliance, a program that recruits
high school honor students to work with 5th graders from 16 elementary
schools on advanced science projects. The mentors and their "buddies" work
together after school throughout the year learning about science, at the
end of which all of the kids share their projects at a science fair
extravaganza. Now in its third year, Science Alliance is currently
providing valuable science training to more than 160 elementary school
students. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming today. In our diversity we find our
strength; in our hearts we find such wonderful compassion. Thank you all
for setting a great example. May God bless you all, and may God continue to
bless the United States of America. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 3:39 P.M. EDT

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