[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E271-E272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ASIAN AMERICANS--A STRENGTH FOR AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FRANKS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 1998

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my 
disapproval with the unfair and inaccurate references and implications 
that certain politicians and members of the media have made regarding 
the Asian-American community's involvement in our political system. 
Specifically, I take issue with the manner in which some elected 
officials and members of the press have created a climate of suspicion 
surrounding the role that Asian-Americans played during the 1996 
election cycle.
  As an elected official, I am troubled by the reports of potentially 
unlawful fundraising activities that may have been conducted during the 
1996 presidential campaign. Congress must thoroughly review the 
allegations that have surfaced concerning the alleged fundraising 
violations, but in a manner that neither questions nor attacks the 
integrity of any ethnic, racial or religious group living in this 
country. If Congress finds that an individual or individuals broke 
federal campaign laws, then the offender or offenders should be 
punished. But neither Congress nor the media should suggest, nor allow 
for it to be implied, that an entire community of people is responsible 
for the improprieties of a few individuals.
  With the publicity surrounding those contributors alleged to have 
given money improperly, the legitimate, appropriate and positive 
political activity of the Asian-American community has become obscured. 
The many Asian-Americans that I know and consider to be my friends are 
active in their communities and are as committed to improving the 
quality of life for their families and their children as any other 
group of Americans. In fact, the 1996 campaign proved that the Asian-
American community's participation in the political process is growing. 
Asian-American civil rights and community groups organized an 
unprecedented nationwide naturalization drive to ensure that eligible 
individuals became citizens and exercised their full contributional 
rights. Community leaders encouraged people to speak out about 
important issues, vote in record numbers, and run for office. This is 
the kind of participation that, as Americans, we should welcome and 
encourage, particularly from a community that was effectively silenced 
by one of this country's most ignoble acts of legislation, the 1884 
Chinese Exclusion Act.
  Unfortunately, the racial accusations that have come to eclipse the 
genuine issue of campaign finance reform have created an atmosphere of 
fear and anxiety among politically active Asian-Americans. We cannot 
afford, Mr. Speaker, to again silence the voice of this still 
underrepresented community. Nor can we afford to ignore the positive 
contributions and electoral accomplishments of Asian-Americans in this 
country. Advances are being made in science, education and government 
thanks to the efforts of this community. And just last year in 
Washington state, Gary Locke, the son of Chinese immigrants, became the 
first person of Asian descent to win a governorship on the continental 
United States.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I urge members of the media, the 
political arena and the public

[[Page E272]]

to keep their focus on the real task at hand--to determine how we can 
prevent campaign fundraising scandals from ever happening again. I 
realize that we all would like to bring to justice anyone who has 
knowingly and willingly broken our laws. But we cannot allow the 
integrity of the Asian-American community to be sacrifices in the name 
of a misguided pursuit of justice. Asian-Americans have proven 
themselves exemplary citizens and deserving participants in the 
American democratic process.

                          ____________________