Speech #1090139173

That was later expanded to a monthlong celebration in 1992. The month of May holds special significance for the Asian Pacific American community. It coincides with two important milestones: The arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7. 1843. and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10. 1869 thanks in large part to the contributions of thousands of Chinese workers. This year. the theme chosen to represent this years Heritage Month is "Dreams and Challenges of Asian Pacific Americans." It is designed to recognize the struggle of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who continue to stand firm against adversity in the pursuit of the American dream. Sadly. the Asian Pacific American community understands all too well this struggle. Their story has been entangled with several dark chapters of Americas history. It began in the 1800s. when people of Asian Pacific ancestry were prohibited from owning property. voting. testifying in court. or attending school. This story of persecution regrettably continued throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries: the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. which prohibited the immigration of Chinese to the United States. a 1913 California law. which prohibited immigrant aliens from owning land. the repatriation of Filipino immigrants in 1935. and the mandatory internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This particular story remains a blight on the conscience of this great Nation. Nevertheless. the Asian Pacific American community found a way to endure and persevere over these injustices and indignities.