[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC AMERICAN WWII 
                                VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2001

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute 
to our WWII veterans of Asian and Pacific Island ancestry.
  Half a century ago, these young members of the Greatest Generation 
answered this country's call to fight in Europe, North Africa and Asia, 
on the Atlantic and the Pacific. They selflessly served in support of a 
greater cause, and all too often were called upon to give the greatest 
sacrifice of all--their own lives.
  The willingness of these young service members to serve and die in 
support of the war effort is made even more poignant by the racial 
inequalities experienced by their families at home in the United 
States. Many of these Asian and Pacific Islander WWII veterans went 
into service while their families were simultaneously being forcibly 
relocated to internment camps across the country, solely because of 
their ethnic origins.
  The generous service of these WWII veterans is truly remarkable. It 
is a privilege to recognize their contributions to this country on the 
House floor today, in celebration of ``Asian and Pacific American 
Veterans of WWII Day.''
  I wish to also commend the Asian American Student Union of the 
University of Wisconsin-Madison. This group of committed students has 
worked diligently to ensure that the memory of these veterans' 
sacrifices, selfless service, and patriotism is never forgotten, and 
they have helped to make this day of recognition a reality in 
Wisconsin.

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