Speech #1100043852

And I also stand here very proud to say that on many occasions Ive had the opportunity to author legislation very important to the Asian and Pacific American community here in this country. whether it has been the issue of reuniting families of Korean descent who have not seen family members in North Korea for many. many years. or whether its been legislation to try to help obtain justice for Asians of Latino descent who were deprived of their rights back during World War II and never. never received the recognition they deserved to get their rights and their property back. I had that opportunity. But rather than talk about the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act which began the whole process of discrimination and racism towards Asian and Pacific Americans in this country. or rather than dwell much longer on the history of the internment of Japanese Americans. some 120.000 back during World War H1 for no reason. without due process. when. in fact. we found out that Japanese Americans served this country proudly and patriotically. In fact. they were among the most decorated of American soldiers during World War Il. And rather than talk about. as 1 just mentioned. the plight of Filipino soldiers during World War H1. who as Filipino veterans. served under the American flag. yet. by an act of Congress in 1946. were deprived of the rights to veterans benefits in this country. let me talk about something else. and not in general terms.