According to Linda Batts, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for EEO, "This growth will strengthen the ranks of Asian-Americans, have a positive effect on the demographics of the workforce, as well as the U.S. Customs Service, and it will complement the overall focus on human capital."

The people of this diverse and rapidly growing community-from senior chemists and attorneys to criminal investigators and inspectors-have contributed to every aspect of the Customs Service core mission. For example, James "Jimmy" Tong began his career with Customs as a GS-5 inspector in 1985 and was eventually promoted to port director in Douglas, Ariz. Tong's career assignments include a stint on the Contraband Enforcement Team in Houston and subsequent postings as deputy chief of passenger operations, and acting port director for the Tucson Airport.

Tong attributes his success at Customs to hard work and his family. "It's my family that has provided me the motivation to better myself and constantly try to improve. I could not have accomplished what I have done without the support of my wife, her encouragement, and the support of my children," says Tong.

T. James Min, an attorney with the Office of Regulations and Rulings, recognized a need and took it upon himself to organize the first Customs Asian Pacific American Employees Association. One of the many goals of this organization is to encourage the promotion of Asian Pacific Americans into senior Customs positions. Min believes that because Customs is a law enforcement agency, the organization has a special mandate to identify and recruit people of various backgrounds to work in various disciplines-enforcement, field operations, and in the field of regulatory international trade.

In 1999, the White House issued Executive Order 13125, calling for increased opportunities for Asian Americans. The Executive Order also created the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to advise the president on quality of life issues related to Asian Americans. President Bush realized the importance of this initiative and extended the life of the advisory committee to June 6, 2003.

In the spirit of the Executive Order, the Special Emphasis Programs at the Customs Service is working to increase opportunities for all Asian Americans. Customs inspector Judy Wu, special emphasis program manager for the South Pacific CMC, has created a program that allows employees to reach out to the Asian business community and to provide ongoing support and training. Other Customs employees have developed classes for Asian customers that provide them with a basic understanding of the Customs mission. These classes are taught in English and in three Asian languages.

These are only a few examples of the ways in which employees of Asian descent have enriched our society with their cultural values, unique talents, and abilities. With the help of dedicated Customs employees like Mr. Tong, Mr. Min, and Ms. Wu, we can, in the spirit of the Executive Order, increase opportunities and continue to enrich the diverse makeup of the Customs Service.