President Obama delivers remarks an the APA Heritage Month celebration at the White House. In his remarks, the President highlighted the contributions of generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who, in his words, “helped build this country, and helped to defend this country, and to make America what it is today.”

President Obama Speaks at the 2013 APA Heritage Month Celebration

Transcript of President Obama speech at 2013 APA Heritage Month Celebration

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, everybody. Thank you so much. (Applause.) Everybody, please have a seat. Thank you so much. Aloha!

AUDIENCE: Aloha!

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the White House, everybody. And thank you, Joan, for the introduction. And I want to thank everybody who’s here — the incredible warmth of the reception. A sign of the warmth is the lipstick on my collar. (Laughter.) I have to say I think I know the culprit — where is Jessica Sanchez? (Laughter.) Jessica — it wasn’t Jessica. It was her aunt. Where is she? (Laughter.) Auntie, right there. Look at this. (Laughter.) Look at this. I just want everybody to witness. (Laughter.) So I do not want to be in trouble with Michelle. (Laughter.) That’s why I’m calling you out right in front of everybody. (Laughter.)

We are here today to honor the incredibly rich heritage and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. And there’s no better example of that diversity than the people who are in this room. We’ve got members of Congress; we’ve got members of my administration; we’ve got lots of special guests and talented performers.

And every day, we’re reminded of the many ways in which Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders have all contributed and enriched our nation throughout our history. Obviously for me, I don’t have to look any further than my own family. I’ve got my brother-in-law here, Konrad, who is — (applause) — Konrad Ng, who’s heading up the Smithsonian Asian American Center — it probably has a longer name than that. (Laughter.) My sister, Maya; their beautiful daughters — my nieces, Suhaila and Savita.

I can think back on my college years when my roommates were Indian and Pakistanis, which is how I learned how to cook keema and dal. (Laughter and applause.) Very good. And of course, I can dig back into my own memories of growing up in Hawaii and in Indonesia. And so certainly it’s been a central part of my life, the entire Asia Pacific region.

But it’s more than food and family — because generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders helped build this country, and helped to defend this country, and to make America what it is today. It’s a history that speaks to the promise of our nation — one that welcomes the contributions of all people, no matter their color or their beliefs, because we draw from the rich traditions of everybody who calls America home. “E pluribus unum” — out of many, one.

And the artists joining us today exemplify that creed. So we’ve got performers like Karsh Kale, who fuses the best of East and West, mixing eclectic beats with the sounds of his heritage and creating music that’s distinctly his own — that’s a trait, obviously, that’s distinctly American. We’ve got musicians like Paula Fuga and John Cruz, whose work represents the spirit of my native Hawaii and reminds us that we’re all part of the same ohana. We have authors like Amy Tan, who uses her own family’s immigration story to trace the stories of others. She makes out of the particular something very universal.

We value these voices because from the very beginning, ours has been a nation of immigrants; a nation challenged and shaped and pushed ever forward by diverse perspectives and fresh thinking. And in order to keep our edge and stay ahead in the global race, we need to figure out a way to fix our broken immigration system — to welcome that infusion of newness, while still maintaining the enduring strength of our laws. And the service and the leadership of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have proved that point time and again.

So we take opportunities like today to honor the legacy of those who paved the way, like my friend, the late Senator from Hawaii, Daniel Inouye, the first Japanese American to serve in Congress — and to celebrate the pioneers of this generation, like Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, one of the first female veterans elected to Congress. (Applause.) And one of my favorite people right now, Sri Srinivasan, who has just been confirmed. (Applause.) Here’s Sri, right here. (Applause.)

I was proud to nominate Sri, and he was just confirmed unanimously to become the first South Asian American federal appeals court judge. (Applause.) I was telling his kids, who are here today, if he starts getting a big head, walking around the house with a robe — (laughter) — asking them to call him “Your Honor” — (laughter) — then they should talk to me. (Laughter.)

In every election, at every board meeting, in every town across America, we see more and more different faces of leadership, setting an example for every young kid who sees a leader who looks like him or her. And that’s a good thing. We’ve got to keep that up. We’ve got to do everything we can to make sure everybody works hard, everybody plays by the rules, everybody has a chance to get ahead — to start their own business, to earn a degree, to write their own page in the American story — that the laws respect everybody, that civil rights apply to everybody. That’s who we are at our best and that’s what we’re here to celebrate. That’s the challenge that I believe we’re going to meet together.

So I want to thank all of you for being here tonight. It is going to be a wonderful gathering. And from Michelle and Malia and Sasha — and Bo — (laughter) — thank you all for the incredible contributions that you’re making each and every day.

God bless you. God bless America. (Applause.)

United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye, World War II veteran, Medal of Honor recipient and Hawaii’s senior Senator, passed away from respiratory complications at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time today at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His wife Irene and his son Ken were at his side. Last rites were performed by Senate Chaplain Dr. Barry Black.

He is survived by his wife, Irene Hirano Inouye, his son Daniel Ken Inouye Jr., Ken’s wife Jessica, and granddaughter Maggie and step-daughter Jennifer Hirano. He was preceded in death his first wife, Maggie Awamura. Senator Inouye’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for the extraordinary care he received.

The story of Dan Inouye is the story of modern Hawaii. During his eight decades of public service, Dan Inouye helped build and shape Hawaii. Senator Inouye began his career in public service at the age of 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He served with ‘E’ company of the 442 Regimental Combat Team, a group consisting entirely of Americans of Japanese ancestry. Senator Inouye lost his arm charging a series of machine gun nests on a hill in San Terenzo, Italy on April 21, 1945. His actions during that battle earned him the Medal of Honor.

Following the war he returned to Hawaii and married Margaret “Maggie” Awamura, and graduated from the University of Hawaii and the George Washington University School of Law. After receiving his law degree, Dan Inouye, returned to Hawaii and worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. He recognized the social and racial inequities of post-war Hawaii, and in 1954 was part of a Democratic revolution that took control of the Territorial Legislature. Following statehood in 1959, Dan Inouye was privileged to serve as Hawaii’s first Congressman. He ran for the Senate in 1962 where he served for nearly nine consecutive terms.

Dan Inouye spent his career building an enduring federal presence in Hawaii to ensure that the state would receive its fair share of federal resources. He worked to expand the military’s presence on all major islands, stabilizing Pearl Harbor, building up the Pacific Missile Range and constructing a headquarters for the United States Pacific Command. He has worked to build critical roads, expanded bus services statewide and secured the federal funds for the Honolulu Rail Transit project. He championed the indigenous rights of Native Hawaiians and the return of Kahoolawe. He fought for the rights and benefits for veterans. Senator Inouye has left an indelible mark at the University of Hawaii, including support for major facilities and research assets. He has long supported local agriculture and alternative energy initiatives.

Dan Inouye was always among the first to speak out against injustice whether interned Japanese Americans, Filipino World War II veterans, Native Americans and Native Hawaiians. A prominent player on the national stage, Senator Inouye served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Commerce Committee and was the first Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

After developing a reputation as a bipartisan workhorse, who always would put country above party, he was asked by the Senate leadership to chair the special committee investigating the Iran Contra Affair. This was after a successful tenure as a member of the Watergate Committee. When asked in recent days how he wanted to be remembered, Dan said, very simply, “I represented the people of Hawaii and this nation honestly and to the best of my ability. I think I did OK.”

His last words were, “Aloha.”

Senator Reid on Hawaii Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s passing

Newly elected Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard wishes everyone a Happy Diwali (festival of the lights). This festival holds extra meaning to her as the first Hindu ever elected to Congress. Here’s the transcript for her video message on Diwali:

As you know, Diwali is not a fun holiday; but it also represents the victory of truth over untruth, of righteousness over wrong. While this is the time of celebration, this deeper meaning of Diwali could not come at a more appropriate time.

As we put the campaigns and election year behind us, it’s time now for all of us to come together, setting aside our differences and find ways to work together, towards the greater and common good.

It’s an opportunity to remember that true happiness and true success comes through being of service to others and not just living for yourself. I personally have faced a variety of challenges in my life whether in the desert of Iraq, in the halls of Washington DC, or along a very tough campaign trail. The one constant for me that has guided me always is this understanding doing my best to be of service to others. I know that by keeping this at the forefront of all that I do, I will not be led astray.

The lighting of the lamps on Diwali continues the longstanding tradition of celebration and reflection on the year that is behind us and to pray for the year coming ahead. Please know that as you rejoice and reflect with your families and your community, I send you the warmest aloha, look forward to serve you in Congress, and whish you a very happy Diwali. Namaste.

Happy Diwali from channelAPA.com.

Happy Diwali from Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard