May 25, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1135

Phyllis Ward has a long record of public

service, dating back to 1942 when she enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps

[WAAC] during World War II. She was eventually promoted to the rank of captain, while

serving at General MacArthur’s Headquarters

in Manila, Philippines.

Ms. Ward served in the U.S. Foreign Service from 1952–1954, as a High Commissioner

of Germany for Political Affairs. She then

transferred to the U.S. Information Service

[USIS] in 1954. Ms. Ward worked as an agent

of the USIS in Kenya, Ethiopia, Germany, and

Washington, DC., until 1964.

After 1965, Ms. Ward returned home and

worked as a social worker for the Santa Clara

County Department of Social Services. She

retired in 1981.

Phyllis Ward has been an active participant

in the political process. Dating back to 1947,

when she worked for presidential candidate

Harold Stassen, Ms. Ward has been a grassroots activist. She has encouraged political

participation through voter registration and get

out the vote efforts. Ms. Ward has been active

in the Democratic Party, having served on the

California State Central Committee for the

past 10 years.

Phyllis Ward is a shining example of what

America is all about. She demonstrates principles of caring, giving, and self-sacrifice, that

all of us should emulate.

Mr. Forest Crumpley has long been committed to public service. Dating back to 1940

when he went to work for the Census Bureau,

and became an activist for minority rights in

Washington, DC., Mr. Crumpley has sacrificed

his time and resources for the causes he

champions. Mr. Crumpley’s commitment to

human rights and freedom led him to join the

Army to fight fascism in World War II.

After returning from the war, Mr. Crumpley

became a lithographer. He eventually opened

Fidelity Printing. The very first items he printed

at Fidelity Printing were posters and leaflets

for John Castro, a union plumber who was

running for county supervisor. From that point

on, Mr. Crumpley produced countless campaign materials for union endorsed candidates, and helped open the door to more diverse representation in local government.

Forest Crumpley has been a voice for the

voiceless, working on behalf of farm workers

and the people of Chile, El Salvador, and

Cuba. His work contributes to the

empowerment of all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my own

congratulations and gratitude to Ms. Ward and

Mr. Crumpley on behalf of my constituents in

the 16th District and the United States House

of Representatives.

COMMEMORATION OF ASIAN PACIFIC–AMERICAN HERITAGE

fMONTH

HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN OF MASSACHUSETTS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, May 25, 1995

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate

Asian Pacific-American Heritage Month, I think

we should take a moment to consider the

need for the United States to engage in a

more extensive dialogue with India, which will

be the world’s most populous democratic nation by the year 2050.

As a member of the Congressional Caucus

on India and India Americans, I want to help

promote greater understanding between the

United States and India, particularly in economic, political and cultural areas.

Our shared geopolitical interests dictate that

we make a concerted effort to improve IndoAmerican relations. In the last several years,

India has embarked on a sweeping reform

program that opened the way for economic

growth and increased foreign trade and investment. However, we cannot ignore the difficulty

involved in the ongoing economic transformation, and progress must continue if bilateral trade is to grow.

About 1 million Indian-Americans live in the

United States. Many Americans assume that

Indian-Americans, because they are often

well-educated, do not face the same problems

as other minorities. They are wrong. In many

parts of this country, Indian-Americans are victims of hate crimes and racial harassment.

They are the victims of discrimination in business and education. Members of Congress

cannot ignore these issues.

The Glass Ceiling Commission reports that

minorities plateau at lower levels in the

workforce than women. Educational institutions and the Department of Labor need to aggressively enforce laws barring discriminatory

practices in recruitment and advancement,

and no one should be denied an education or

job because of their race or ethnic origin.

The United States has always been considered a melting pot of peoples, religions and

ethnic groups. We in Congress cannot allow

people who come to this country to be victimized or subjected to bigotry.

I urge my colleagues in Congress to pay

more attention to concerns of India and Indian-Americans. I can think of no more appropriate time to reflect on our shared interests

than during the observance of Asian PacificAmerican Month.