Floor SpeechNeutral2024-12-17

RECOGNIZING DR. THOMAS G. LUM, SPECIALIST IN ASIAN AFFAIRS AT THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

ImmigrationTaxesForeign PolicyChinaTrade

Context

On 2024-12-17, Representative Ed Case (D-HI-1) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING DR. THOMAS G. LUM, SPECIALIST IN ASIAN AFFAIRS AT THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered taxes, foreign policy.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING DR. THOMAS G. LUM, SPECIALIST IN ASIAN AFFAIRS AT THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 187 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 187 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1283] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING DR. THOMAS G. LUM, SPECIALIST IN ASIAN AFFAIRS AT THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE ______ HON. ED CASE of hawaii in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Thomas G. Lum, a Specialist in Asian Affairs at the Congressional Research Service (CRS), for his distinguished career in service to Congress. Tom retires on December 31st after more than a quarter century with CRS, throughout which he has provided exceptional contributions to Congress as an expert on various critical issues. His areas of expertise have included human rights and social control in the People's Republic of China (PRC), U.S. foreign assistance to the Indo-Pacific region, and U.S. policy in the Pacific Islands, the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos. As just one example of Tom's work, he brought a deep understanding of the United States' historical relationship with the Freely Associated States (FAS) to bear in assisting Congress' understanding and evaluation of the role of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau in protecting U.S. national security. He made especially vital contributions to the renewal of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) in 2003, 2004 and 2023. One of the rare U.S. experts with experience analyzing multiple generations of the COFA, Tom provided Members of Congress with detailed analysis of the Compacts and the policy debates around them, helping Congress shape and conduct oversight of their implementation. I can personally attest to Tom's unseen but major hand in developing and passing the COFA renewal of 2023. Congress also has relied on Tom for exceptional support on issues related to civil and human rights in the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party's extensive efforts at social control. Having received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara and written an important book--Problems of Democratization in China--on this issue, Tom came to Congress in 1999 with expertise he further honed on the job. His analysis of the PRC's evolving society amplified Congress' understanding of the country and contributed to a far more informed and sophisticated policy discussion on related issues. Again, I found his briefings, which were really more deep discussions, not only highly insightful but prescient. Tom's passion for his work and his dedication to providing authoritative, non-partisan analysis to support Congress' legislative and oversight functions have been invaluable. His deep understanding of U.S. foreign assistance in the Indo-Pacific region was also of great help to Congress. Congress has benefitted enormously from Tom's large body of work and his steadfast commitment, in fact passion, to providing Members and Congressional staff outstanding consultative support. Over the course of his career, Tom's analysis informed numerous pieces of legislation, including on such issues as the PRC's use of forced labor, the oppression of China's Uyghur minority, the U.S. alliance with the Philippines and support for FAS immigrants in the United States. His calm, easy-going demeanor and his understated yet ever-present sense of humor made him a great pleasure for his colleagues and the Congressional community to work with. In addition, his commitment to collaboration and to mentoring colleagues has made an indelible contribution to the CRS that will far outlast his service. For our Congress and our country, I extend my gratitude and warm mahalo to Tom Lum for his outstanding contributions. We in Congress offer him best wishes in his retirement. ____________________

View original source →

RECOGNIZING DR. THOMAS G. LUM, SPECIALIST IN ASIAN AFFAIRS AT THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 187 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 187 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1283] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING DR. THOMAS G. LUM, SPECIALIST IN ASIAN AFFAIRS AT THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE ______ HON. ED CASE of hawaii in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Thomas G. Lum, a Specialist in Asian Affairs at the Congressional Research Service (CRS), for his distinguished career in service to Congress. Tom retires on December 31st after more than a quarter century with CRS, throughout which he has provided exceptional contributions to Congress as an expert on various critical issues. His areas of expertise have included human rights and social control in the People's Republic of China (PRC), U.S. foreign assistance to the Indo-Pacific region, and U.S. policy in the Pacific Islands, the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos. As just one example of Tom's work, he brought a deep understanding of the United States' historical relationship with the Freely Associated States (FAS) to bear in assisting Congress' understanding and evaluation of the role of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau in protecting U.S. national security. He made especially vital contributions to the renewal of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) in 2003, 2004 and 2023. One of the rare U.S. experts with experience analyzing multiple generations of the COFA, Tom provided Members of Congress with detailed analysis of the Compacts and the policy debates around them, helping Congress shape and conduct oversight of their implementation. I can personally attest to Tom's unseen but major hand in developing and passing the COFA renewal of 2023. Congress also has relied on Tom for exceptional support on issues related to civil and human rights in the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party's extensive efforts at social control. Having received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara and written an important book--Problems of Democratization in China--on this issue, Tom came to Congress in 1999 with expertise he further honed on the job. His analysis of the PRC's evolving society amplified Congress' understanding of the country and contributed to a far more informed and sophisticated policy discussion on related issues. Again, I found his briefings, which were really more deep discussions, not only highly insightful but prescient. Tom's passion for his work and his dedication to providing authoritative, non-partisan analysis to support Congress' legislative and oversight functions have been invaluable. His deep understanding of U.S. foreign assistance in the Indo-Pacific region was also of great help to Congress. Congress has benefitted enormously from Tom's large body of work and his steadfast commitment, in fact passion, to providing Members and Congressional staff outstanding consultative support. Over the course of his career, Tom's analysis informed numerous pieces of legislation, including on such issues as the PRC's use of forced labor, the oppression of China's Uyghur minority, the U.S. alliance with the Philippines and support for FAS immigrants in the United States. His calm, easy-going demeanor and his understated yet ever-present sense of humor made him a great pleasure for his colleagues and the Congressional community to work with. In addition, his commitment to collaboration and to mentoring colleagues has made an indelible contribution to the CRS that will far outlast his service. For our Congress and our country, I extend my gratitude and warm mahalo to Tom Lum for his outstanding contributions. We in Congress offer him best wishes in his retirement. ____________________