FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Media Contact: Gem Daus |
APIAHF MOURNS DEATH OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT MATSUI
San Francisco, CA - The Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum mourns the passing of Congressman Robert T. Matsui (D-CA) on
Congressman Matsui represented California's 5th Congressional District, which includes Sacramento, from 1978 until his death. Today would have been the beginning of his 14th term . As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, he was the lead voice for preserving Social Security, strongly opposing attempts to privatize it. His sudden death leaves a vacuum among guardians of seniors and immigrants in the area of social security.
APIAHF president Ho Tran said, "Congressman Matsui was a great leader and role model. He spent the first few years of his life interned with his family and other Japanese Americans during World War II. As a statesman, he helped fight for an official apology from the United States for the internment. In fact, he fought for justice for all Americans out of his concern for the poorest and the least powerful among us. He will be missed."
The Matsui family and friends are establishing a charitable fund in memory of the Congressman and ask that all gifts be sent to The Matsui Foundation for Public Service, P.O. Box 1347, Sacramento, CA 95812. His biography and accomplishments can be found on his website: http://www.house.gov/matsui/.
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum is a national health policy andadvocacy organization headquartered in San Francisco with an office in Washington.
