Washington, D.C. - Democratic National Committee Chairman Gov. Howard Dean issued the following statement commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which began May 1st:

"I'm honored to join millions all around the country in paying tribute to the contributions made by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to our nation's social, economic, and cultural identity. As far back as the transcontinental railroad, AAPI's have helped build America. Thirteen and a half million AAPI's continue to enrich the American mosaic today.

Democrats have long championed the values we share with AAPI's, including a strong work ethic, a commitment to education, and respect for families.

The Democratic Party has also led the way in promoting AAPI leadership at the local, state and national level. The overwhelming majority of AAPI elected officials are Democrats, and our party organized the largest AAPI voter mobilization effort in the history of the United States in 2004. The Democratic Party was also the party that welcomed the first AAPI Presidential Cabinet member, the first AAPI governor on the mainland, and the first AAPI member of Congress. Today, Congressman Mike Honda, an AAPI member of Congress from California, serves as Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

This year, we Democrats remember one of our own, Congressman Robert Matsui. Cong. Matsui rose from a World War II era internment camp to become the first AAPI to serve in the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives. This APA Heritage month shall be the first in which we honor his legacy.

As we commemorate the past and the present, we remain committed to empowering Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the Democratic Party as together we forge a future that strengthens our country, protects our democracy, and defends our civil rights for all our citizens."