Editorial by Thomas C. Dorr, Under Secretary for Rural Development

NATIONAL ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2003

     This month the nation recognizes and pays tributes to the many contributions that Americans of Asian and Pacific descent have made to our country. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was first proclaimed in 1979. In 1990, President George Bush recognized the contributions of Asian/Pacific Americans by signing into law legislation designating May of each year as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

     Asian/Pacific Americans have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to our country's well-being and quality of life. This year's theme for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is most appropriate --- "Salute to Liberty." Now more than ever Americans can be proud of the freedom and liberty we enjoy in the United States and efforts to extend freedom and liberty to oppressed people throughout the world.

     Along with freedom comes the opportunity to expand individual economic opportunity and an improved quality of life. USDA Rural Development is working to support such efforts through financial and technical assistance to individuals and communities in rural America.

     As an example of USDA's support for individual economic freedom, USDA Rural Development recently approved a $13.5 million Community Facility loan that will enable the University of Guam to build a new Business Administration building. The University has the only four-year college curriculum in the Western Pacific region. The University provides the means for a higher education for residents of Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

     Rural Development also approved a $1.4 million Business and Industry loan to finance the development of the Hilo Community Surgery Center on the island of Hawaii. This Center will be the first independent, freestanding general outpatient facility for surgery on the island and serves a large population of Asian/Pacific Islanders. It will provide patients undergoing minor operations a lower cost option that had not been available in the past.

     In an effort to create jobs and promote tourism, Rural Development approved $7.5 million in Business and Industry loans to develop the Quality Inn Tradewinds Hotel in Tafuna, American Samoa. This project represents the largest dollar private project for a local family company in the Territory. The Hotel was blessed and held its grand opening on May 2nd.

     We are especially pleased to have an Asian/Pacific Islander, born and raised in Hawaii, leading Rural Development in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. Together, we at Rural Development will bring greater access to information technology, improve the economic base that drives local economies, and improve the quality of life for all citizens living in rural America. Much of our success throughout America can be attributed to the contributions of our citizens of Asian/Pacific heritage.

#

USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of
discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Return to Rural Development News and Information Room.