Above / Hannah Leong received an award to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month from Congressman Jonathan Jackson, pictured next to the American flag. (Photo courtesy Hannah Leong)
When you get off a plane in Washington D.C., the first thing you might notice is that approximately one in three people are wearing a suit. Now, considering I had chosen to wear a baggy t-shirt and sweatpants for the plane ride, this made me feel supremely underdressed.
In May, I had the honor of flying out to D.C. to receive an award from Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Representative of the 1st Congressional District in Illinois. To commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Representative Jackson chose fifteen outstanding Asian Americans to have an account of their accomplishments entered into the Congressional Record and permanently placed in the Library of Congress.
Somehow, amazingly, I was one of the fifteen Asian Americans.
Currently, somewhere in the Library of Congress, there’s a document with my name and history on it. It feels a little surreal, but representing my culture, my community, and my family in the Congressional Record means a lot to me.
Going to D.C. also gave me something to strive for. My fellow awardees were inspiring figures from all across the country. What struck me most was the sheer scope of talent in the room. There were doctors, celebrities, and leaders—people who had left their mark on the world. But above all, my fellow awardees were foundations of their communities. As I continue to grow, I hope that I can live up to the example they set by using my voice and actions to uplift others.
Aside from an exceptionally nice leather-bound U.S. House of Representatives certificate, the most important thing I took away from the whole experience was perspective—on where I’ve been, what I care about, and what I want to build next.
Thank you, Naperville, for being part of this journey with me.
