Chi Mui Post Office Building

Floor Speech

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5477) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, California, as the ``Chi Mui Post Office Building''.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 5477

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CHI MUI POST OFFICE BUILDING.

(a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, California, shall be known and designated as the ``Chi Mui Post Office Building''.

(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Chi Mui Post Office Building''.

THE SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina, (Ms. Foxx) each will control 20 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.

GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Illinois?

There was no objection.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Now, Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the sponsor of this resolution, Representative ADAM SCHIFF from California.

Mr. SCHIFF. I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding, and I want to thank him, Mr. Waxman and the staff on the committee for working with me on this legislation.

I'm proud to stand here today to honor a well-respected and dedicated leader from the San Gabriel Valley. Mr. Chi Mui was a beloved member of the Asian American community in Southern California, and the mayor of the city of San Gabriel, where he dedicated himself to improving the quality of life for his neighbors, community and country. I can't think of a more fitting tribute to such an exceptional man than naming the post office in San Gabriel, the town where he touched so many lives, in his honor.

Chi Mui's story epitomizes the American dream. Born in Toisan, China, Chi Mui was a man of humble origins whose early experiences enabled him to relate and connect to the Asian community in California.

After spending many of his early years in Hong Kong, Chi moved with his parents to New York City's vibrant Chinatown in 1963, at the age of 10. Chi spoke Cantonese with his parents, who were a seamstress and a cook, but quickly immersed himself in the language of his new home. As a new immigrant, he remembered feeling like an outsider on the edge of society, and found refuge, his own oasis in the New York Public Library, where he broadened his mind and developed a lifelong commitment to supporting public libraries.

His time reading and studying in the library served him well as he continued his schooling, graduating cum laude with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Polytechnic University in New York in 1980. After attending New York University, he moved west and began his distinguished career in public service.

In Los Angeles he served as deputy to one of our colleagues, LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, and later to California State Senator, Richard Polanco. As their deputy, and in his own time, Chi began working to better the lives of immigrants in the region. Chi Mui's immigrant roots and experiences gave him a special insight and the wisdom and ability to connect with generations of people who came to this country for a better life.

Chi was a key player in the development of 600 units of affordable and senior housing in Los Angeles' Chinatown, and taught citizenship classes to help hundreds of legal residents become U.S. citizens. In 1999 he led an alliance of community leaders, neighborhood groups and businesses to save 50 acres of open space known as the ``Cornfield'' in downtown Los Angeles. This land became California's first ever urban State park, and is now known as the Los Angeles State Historic Park.

An avid runner and an athlete, he cared deeply about improving recreational facilities and opportunities for youth in the urban area of Los Angeles, and helped obtain $35 million in State funding in 2001 for recreational facilities and activities in the new Los Angeles State Historic Park.

Chi also helped expand the capacity of the Alpine Recreation Center, which doubled in size due to his efforts. He volunteered his time to coach youth at the Alpine Center where he taught teamwork and sportsmanship.

He also founded and co-founded the Los Angeles Chinatown Athletic Association Volleyball Club and created a night basketball program for at-risk youth. Youth are still benefiting from his legacies. Both programs are still going strong today.

Chi Mui's experience as an immigrant and his close ties to his Chinese heritage led him to be active in the Chinese American community in the L.A. area. In recognition of his leadership, he was elected President of the Los Angeles Chinese American Citizens Alliance twice. The Alliance was founded in San Francisco in 1895, and advocates for equal political, economic and educational opportunities for Chinese Americans.

Chi believed in working together with everyone, and often brought different cultures and races together to work on common problems. While he was close with the Chinese American community, he also worked hand in hand with the Indochinese and Chinese-Vietnamese communities, and he was an important link between the Asian American community in San Gabriel and all other residents where he served on the San Gabriel City Council.

Chi Mui was one of only a handful of first-generation Chinese Americans to successfully run for office when he was elected to the San Gabriel City Council in March of 2003. He made history as the first Asian and Chinese American City Council member and mayor since the City of San Gabriel's incorporation in 1913.

Remembering how important library access was to him, Chi was a devoted member of the Friends of San Gabriel Public Library, and led the effort to open the county public library in San Gabriel on Saturdays to provide more services to residents and students without increasing costs.

However, his personal passion on the City Council was the ``greening'' of the community, and he worked tirelessly to preserve the quality of life that San Gabriel residents value. A long-time advocate of parks and open space, Chi Mui helped the city obtain funds for the master plan and redesign of Vincent Lugo Park, and successfully pushed for additional trees and greenery on neighborhood streets.

For several years, Chi fought a courageous battle with cancer, during which he continued his work for the residents of San Gabriel. On April 27, 2006, at the age of 53, Chi passed away with his wife Betty and a few close friends at his side.

He was greatly loved by the City of San Gabriel, and those who knew him saw his commitment to making the city a wonderful community for life-long residents and new commerce as well.

I greatly enjoyed the chance to work with him during his tenure on the city council and know I speak for a great many when I say how much we all miss him.

People around the country recently finished celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month which ended on Saturday, May 31. Asian Americans have touched many lives around the country, and Chi Mui is no exception. It is fitting that we pass this legislation, H.R. 5477, which will add yet another Asian American name to a very short list of post offices honoring this important community.

Chi Mui will never be forgotten by those who knew him. He had a profound effect on the people of southern California and the City of San Gabriel. Future generations will recognize his good work in our community as we preserve his memory and rename the San Gabriel post office in his honor.

I thank again the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5477, legislation to name the post office in San Gabriel, California, in honor of Chi Mui.

Today, we honor Chi Mui who passed away from cancer on April 27, 2006. His accomplishment in serving the citizens of San Gabriel, California, as the first Asian and Chinese American council member and mayor of San Gabriel was a testament to his lasting dedication and friendship to the community.

The modest beginning of Chi Mui's life did not forecast the dramatic and incredible impact he would have on the people of Los Angeles. Born in China on October 26, 1952, Mayor Mui was the son of a seamstress and a cook. At the age of 10, he moved with his family out of his home in China and into New York City where he quickly learned to speak English. In 1980, Mayor Mui graduated cum laude with a degree in civil engineering from Polytechnic University of New York and subsequently moved to southern California.

Before being elected to the San Gabriel City Council in 2003, Mayor Mui wasted no time in devoting his efforts to his new community. He was instrumental in developing 600 units of affordable and senior housing in Los Angeles's Chinatown and spent his time teaching citizenship classes in order to help hundreds of fellow immigrants achieve citizenship in their new home.

A passion for open space, Mayor Mui led the efforts to obtain the space and the $35 million necessary to build the first urban state park in downtown Los Angeles. Mayor Mui was also a devoted athlete and cofounded the Los Angeles Chinatown Athletic Association Volleyball Club where he worked as a coach teaching and reinforcing life lessons that continue well beyond volleyball.

In a city where one in two residents is Asian, Mayor Mui played a role as liaison between the city government and the Asian community. As a city council member, he led the efforts to open the county public library in San Gabriel on Saturdays to provide greater access to residents without increasing cost.

His tireless work for the Asian community was recognized when he was twice elected President of the Los Angeles Chinese American Citizens Alliance.

Recognizing his ability and devotion to San Gabriel in the Asian community, the council appointed him vice-mayor in 2005. In 2006, it elevated him to the position of mayor, an invaluable step that linked the members of the Asian community.

With gratitude to his service to the San Gabriel community, I ask all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 5477.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise to present for our consideration H.R. 5477, which names the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 South Del Mar Avenue in San Gabriel, California, as the ``Chi Mui Post Office Building.''

Chi Mui is best known for his commitment to public service as the former mayor of the Southern California City of San Gabriel. H.R. 5477 was first introduced by Representative ADAM SCHIFF on February 21, 2008, and is supported by over 50 Members of Congress, many of whom hail from the State of California. The bill before us has been considered by the Oversight Committee and was approved by the panel on April 16, 2008, by voice vote.

Regarded as a role model to those interested in pursuing public service, Mayor Mui was able to rise from the most humble beginnings to become one of Southern California's most respected local leaders and social advocates.

A tireless fighter for immigrant rights and affordable housing, Chi Mui's accomplishments and contributions go beyond his service as mayor of San Gabriel of California, to include his work on improving opportunities for deserving youth and ensuring inclusion and integration of Southern California's Asian American population.

Mr. Speaker, it was only a few short weeks ago that we here in the House were celebrating both National Public Service Recognition Week and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Mayor Chi Mui's life helped to highlight the significance of celebrating both of these commemorative celebrations. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this extraordinary American citizen by passing H.R. 5477.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Idaho (Mr. Sali).

Mr. SALI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5477 designating this post office in the name of Chi Mui.

While I rise in support of this resolution, I again rise to urge my colleagues to address rising fuel prices. Chi Mui's efforts to improve his community are akin to the efforts of America's charitable organizations that seek to meet the needs of Americans all across our lands. Today, as Americans across this country pay $3.98 per gallon at the pump, these prices hit nearly every facet of life, including those charities providing care for many Americans in need.

One Tennessee paper reported today on the effects these prices are having on charities, and it says, ``Nonprofit agencies and charities that rely on voluntary drivers to help carry out their work say soaring gas prices are forcing volunteers to scale back or even stop driving. This means there are fewer people to drive cancer patients to treatment and fewer people to deliver food to the needy.''

Congress has a moral obligation to address rising fuel prices by immediately lifting the restrictions on America's energy-rich public lands to increase exploration for and production of American crude oil and natural gas and to do so in an environmentally friendly manner.

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 5477, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of our time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5477.

The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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