[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7662-H7664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ANGEL ISLAND IMMIGRATION STATION RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION ACT
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4469) to authorize appropriations to the Secretary of the
Interior for the restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station in
the State of California.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 4469
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Angel Island Immigration
Station Restoration and Preservation Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Angel Island Immigration Station, also known as the
Ellis Island of the West, is a National Historic Landmark.
(2) Between 1910 and 1940, the Angel Island Immigration
Station processed more than 1,000,000 immigrants and
emigrants from around the world.
(3) The Angel Island Immigration Station contributes
greatly to our understanding of our Nation's rich and complex
immigration history.
(4) The Angel Island Immigration Station was built to
enforce the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and subsequent
immigration laws, which unfairly and severely restricted
Asian immigration.
(5) During their detention at the Angel Island Immigration
Station, Chinese detainees carved poems into the walls of the
detention barracks. More than 140 poems remain today,
representing the unique voices of immigrants awaiting entry
to this country.
(6) More than 50,000 people, including 30,000
schoolchildren, visit the Angel Island Immigration Station
annually to learn more about the experience of immigrants who
have traveled to our shores.
(7) The restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station
and the preservation of the writings and drawings at the
Angel Island Immigration Station will ensure that future
generations also have the benefit of experiencing and
appreciating this great symbol of the perseverance of the
immigrant spirit, and of the diversity of this great Nation.
SEC. 3. RESTORATION.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior
$15,000,000 for restoring the Angel Island Immigration
Station in the San Francisco Bay, in coordination with the
Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and the
California Department of Parks and Recreation.
(b) Priority.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
funds appropriated pursuant to this Act shall be used for the
restoration of the Immigration Station Hospital on Angel
Island.
(2) Any remaining funds in excess of the amount required to
carry out paragraph (1) shall be used solely for the
restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms.
Bordallo) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich)
[[Page H7663]]
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4469, introduced by the gentlewoman from California
(Ms. Woolsey) would authorize appropriations to the Secretary of the
Interior for the restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station in
the State of California.
The restoration of this battered structure known as the ``Ellis
Island of the West'' is important to our Nation's history as it was the
first place that more than 1 million immigrants entered the United
States between 1910 and 1940, many of whom became U.S. citizens.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the sponsor of this bill, the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) for bringing forth this most
important measure.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Woolsey).
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from
California (Chairman Pombo) and the gentleman from West Virginia
(Ranking Member Rahall), the gentlewoman from Guam (Ranking Member
Bordallo) and the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from
California (Chairman Radanovich) and the House leadership for allowing
us to consider this piece of legislation. This is legislation that is
very important to my district and to the San Francisco Bay Area.
As my colleagues may know, I have worked for the past 2 years with
the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and the gentlewoman
from California (Leader Pelosi) in an effort to preserve the historic
Angel Island Immigration Station located just east of Sausalito in the
San Francisco Bay.
This landmark is a high priority because of what it means to Asian
Americans. Many of my colleagues are familiar with the symbolism of
Ellis Island to European Americans. Well, the same feelings of history
and pride can be equated to the Americans of Asian heritage on the west
coast, because Angel Island was the first American soil most Asian
immigrants stepped on.
With over 1 million people being processed through the site, millions
of Asian descendants nationwide are eager to see their roots in this
country honored in the same way that we honor Ellis Island.
In addition, Angel Island Immigration Station also houses a unique
literary display of Asian American culture. The walls of the main
building hold layers of poetry reflecting the record of hardship
endured and the indignities suffered by the early Chinese as they were
being processed into America. If these walls crumble, we would lose
this one-of-a-kind documentation forever.
Because of its rich history, the site is currently used as a teaching
tool for students and a museum for visitors. Hundreds of schoolchildren
and researchers make the trip out to the site each year by ferry, by
the way, to learn about its rich history.
Mr. Speaker, I have worked with the Foundation to find additional
sources of funding for the restoration project to ensure future
generations can learn from this site. The current estimate to preserve
it is over $30 million. With $16 million already raised through grants,
State funding and private donations, $15 million is still needed. With
no more grants to pursue and the State of California contributing close
to half of the funding, it is important that we allow the Federal
Government to become a part of this preservation effort, and that is
what we are doing today, and I thank my colleagues for that.
The Angel Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation
Act, with over 45 bipartisan cosponsors, will simply allow the Angel
Island Immigration Station to retain its status as a State-owned
facility, while allowing the preservation project to receive Federal
dollars. Passing this legislation will put us one step closer to
protecting this site forever.
Among the strongest supporters in this effort are the gentlewoman
from California (Minority Leader Pelosi) and the gentleman from Indiana
(Mr. Souder). Also, I would like to acknowledge the tireless work of
Katherine Toy and Irene Bueno on behalf of the Angel Island Immigration
Station Foundation. All of their hard work on this bill has been
critical to moving it forward. In addition, I would like to thank
Senator Feinstein and Senator Boxer for introducing identical
legislation in the other body.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues again for allowing us to debate
this important bill. The supporters are dedicated to this project and
will continue to work passionately to help others learn and understand
the story of the Angel Island Immigration Station. We urge our
colleagues to join us and vote yes on H.R. 4469.
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 4469, the Angel
Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation Act.
I would like to recognize my colleagues Representative Lynn Woosley
from California for her steadfast leadership in ensuring Angel Island
Immigration Station is preserved and restored.
As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, CAPAC, I
support a Federal authorization of $15 million for the preservation and
restoration of Angel Island, where people from China, Japan, Russia,
India, Korea, Australia, and the Philippines entered the United States
to start a new life.
Mr. Speaker, Angel Island Immigration Station is appropriately known
as the ``Ellis Island of the West.'' Located in the San Francisco Bay,
Angel Island served as a processing and detainment center for 1 million
immigrants between 1910 and 1940. Of those 1 million people, 175,000
were Chinese immigrants and 150,000 were Japanese immigrants.
For the 30 years that Angel Island was in existence, detainees
experienced overcrowded facilities, humiliating medical examinations,
intense interrogations, and countless days--even years--waiting until
approval of their applications of deportation. Although conditions
could be deplorable, Angel Island was an entry point to a better future
for so many immigrants.
Angel Island Immigration Station was closed in 1940 when a fire
destroyed the administration building. In 1963, California State Parks
assumed the role of stewardship of the site when Angel Island became a
State park.
In the 1970s, the site was set for demolition until a park ranger
discovered etched writings on the walls. Etched by detainees, the
writings and drawings on the wall reflect their hardships and hopes of
detainees during the uncertain period in which they awaited decisions
on their immigration applications. The cultural and historical value of
these etchings sparked efforts to save this site, and in 1997, Angel
Island Immigration Station became a National Historic Landmark.
More than 50,000 people continue to visit Angel Island Immigration
Station yearly, but sadly, the history of Angel Island is often left
out of classroom lectures. With greater Federal support, however, we
can restore the island's historic buildings, preserve irreplaceable
immigration records, and keep alive the stories and memories of those
who were detained on the island.
While preserving the Angel Island Immigration Station is important to
Asian Americans, it should be a priority for all Americans. Just as
Ellis Island is a critical part of our Nation's history, Angel Island
offers American's a richer and more comprehensive understanding of our
history and the diversity we celebrate in this Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support H.R. 4469 and its authorization
of $15 million to restore and preserve historic buildings at Angel
Island Immigration Station. I urge my colleagues to vote for this
important piece of legislation.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4469, the Angel
Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation Act and I want
to thank Congresswoman Woolsey for spearheading this effort to preserve
this historic landmark.
The Angel Island Immigration Station is important to our country's
immigration history. Considered the ``Ellis Island of the West'' it was
originally built as a detention center to enforce the Chinese Exclusion
Act of 1882, which limited immigration on the basis of nationality and
race. Immigrants from China and other parts of Asia who were sent to
the station for processing were treated far differently from immigrants
arriving at Ellis Island. Often the Asian immigrants, particularly the
Chinese, were subjected to extended periods of detention and isolation
and which often resulted in denial of entry. During their detention,
many would carve poems and drawings into the walls of their barracks,
giving voice to their anger and frustration and providing first hand
accounts of Asian immigrant struggles to reach America. It is these
voices that H.R. 4469 seeks to preserve, and in doing so, honor their
painful journey.
[[Page H7664]]
Mr. Speaker, each May we honor the contributions of Asian Americans
to our Nation. We have come a long way since Angel Island, but we
cannot forget what it took to bring us to this point. I encourage my
colleagues to support H.R. 4469 to ensure that the experiences of these
immigrants will be remembered.
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4469, the Angel
Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation Act.
Historic preservation is the key to remembering our past. Without key
places and artifacts from our history, it would be impossible to tell
future generations of Americans how, when and where our country came to
be what it is. Whenever a place or object is lost, a piece of history
is gone forever. It is our duty to ensure that history is preserved.
The Angel Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation Act
aims to preserve part of our history. Known as the Ellis Island of the
West, Angel Island was the primary entry point for hundreds of
thousands of immigrants from the Pacific Rim, including Australia and
New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Russia, and in
particular Asia. During Angel Island's years of operation, 1910-1940,
an estimated 175,0000 Chinese immigrants were processed through Angel
Island.
In 1940, Angel Island Immigration Station closed after a fire
destroyed the Administration Building. Following the Army's departure
from Angel Island, the structures fell into disrepair. Many were
removed by the Army Corps of Engineers and California State Parks. Of
the original Immigration Station structures, only the Detention
Barracks, Hospital, Power House, Pump House and Mule Barn remain.
Today, these structures are in various states of disrepair; hence the
need for this legislation.
Without H.R. 4469, the structures on Angel Island will fall further
into decay. Many of the buildings are crumbling and leak; consequently,
many poems written by the Chinese immigrants detained at Angel Island
are in danger of being destroyed. State, private, and local entities
have already contributed mightily to this project; sadly, they have not
been able to complete the project. This bill will authorize $15 million
in funding so that this unique aspect of our history can be preserved
for future generations. Compared to the $156 million spent to restore
Ellis Island, this restoration project is a bargain and of no less
significance.
Millions of people journey to Ellis Island every year in order to see
where their ancestors came ashore. This bill would allow descendants of
Angel Island arrivals the same opportunity to visit the place where
their ancestors' American Dreams started.
Although the status of Angel Island as part of the California State
Parks system sets it apart from many other historic sites that receive
Federal funding, the importance of the site and its contribution to the
United States makes its official designation irrelevant. Our Nation's
history must be preserved regardless of official status.
I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 4469, the Angel
Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation Act. Keeping
our immigration heritage in good repair is essential if the United
States is to maintain its unique status as a beacon of democracy and
opportunity.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4469.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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