[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 82 (Monday, June 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1109-E1110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CHINESE AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB BARR

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2000

  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the national 
convention of Chinese Americans in Atlanta, I am pleased to speak in 
honor of the many contributions persons of Chinese descent have made to 
America.
  The American system of government is unparalleled in the course of 
human history, largely because of its eagerness to accept the 
contributions of men and women from other cultures who choose to become 
Americans. Chinese Americans provide an excellent example of how that 
system works.
  Whether in war or peace, Chinese Americans have made numerous and 
diverse enhancements to the American way of life; giving their lives to 
protect it and working hard to build it.
  President Clinton recently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, 
our nation's highest award for valor, to several Americans of Chinese, 
Japanese, and Filipino descent who served with great distinction during 
World War II. We should all take great pride in the fact that justice 
was done in the end, and that we moved beyond earlier prejudices. In 
fact, another unique feature of American society is that our system 
almost always manages to right itself in the end.

[[Page E1110]]

  As we enter a new century, there are many things America can learn 
from its citizens of Chinese descent. Chinese Americans can help us 
understand and influence the culture of China as we work to encourage 
the growth of democracy and human rights there. Our culture would also 
be well served to look to the high place education, tradition and 
family ties occupy in many Chinese American families.
  I hope this year's National Convention of Chinese Americans focuses 
on these issues. I am honored to welcome the Convention to the great 
state of Georgia, home to many Chinese Americans.

                          ____________________