My colleagues. both here in the House and in the Senate. who are acquainted with the membership and purposes of the Japanese American Citizens League. more popularly identified as the JACL. and who have supported. particularly after World War II. many of its legislative suggestions which have not only greatly enlarged the area of racial freedom and human dignity in this Nation but have also demonstrated our national and international good will toward those of Asian origin. will. I am confident. applaud this presentation of our flag. with all that it means. to this exemplary organization which has personified. as few organizations with similar objectives have. their slogan. "For better Americans in a greater America." I know that many of my colleagues. of both political parties from every geographical section. join with me in congratulating the JACL on their first quarter century of dedicated service to our country. in general. and to our Americans of Japanese ancestry. in particular. To appreciate just how much has been accomplished in the past 25 years. one need only look back in minds eye to 1930. when the ill effects of the Japanese Exclusion Act of 1924 were still clearly visible and Japanese Americans were suspect people concentrated only on our west coast. In contrast. examine their position today as accepted and assimilated fellow Americans who are known and welcomed throughout the entire land. To have accomplished so much. for any people. in such a short time. and against such odds of prejudice and discrimination. with so little in the way of financial and political backing. is not only a tribute to the leadership and membership of JACL but also to the system of government and the democratic processes which gave opportunity and incentive for such progress in human relations.
Keywords matched
Exclusion Act