[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H4845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   BE CAREFUL OF GENERALIZING AMERICANS OF PACIFIC OR ASIAN ANCESTRY

  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, this morning the other body started 
its hearings on alleged violations of certain individuals and companies 
about our campaign laws, and I want to commend my good friend, the 
Senator from the great State of Hawaii, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, for 
reminding his colleagues and Members of this institution to be careful 
of generalizing the issues and the implications. Sometimes the media in 
its feeding frenzy is questioning the integrity and the honesty of the 
entire Asia Pacific community in our Nation, that their honest 
contributions made in our national and local elections sometimes are 
being questioned simply because these Americans are of Asian or Pacific 
ancestry. Let me give my colleagues a little bit of history about the 
sacrifices of the Asia Pacific community, and it is sealed in their 
blood.
  The Japanese-Americans of the 100th battalion, 442d infantry combat 
troops, after fighting our enemies in Europe: 9,000 Purple Hearts, 560 
Silver Stars, 65 Distinguished Service Crosses, and only 1 Medal of 
Honor.
  I ask my colleagues, let us be careful of generalizing people and the 
composite view of our Nation here in our country, and I thank the 
Speaker for giving me this chance.

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