[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1073-E1074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING REGRET FOR PASSAGE OF LAWS ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE CHINESE 
                          IN THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2012

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 683. This

[[Page E1074]]

resolution expresses the regret of the House of Representatives for 
laws that unfairly targeted the Chinese community in the United States, 
specifically the Chinese Exclusion Act.
  I want to thank my good friend from California, Ms. Chu, for her hard 
work and determination in bringing this important resolution to the 
floor, and I am proud to join her as the lead cosponsor of this 
historic effort.
  America's strength has always been derived from our commitment to the 
principles of our founders. And although we do not always succeed in 
living up to those ideals, we continually strive to do so, and we 
become stronger in the process.
  Today, we have the opportunity to take another important step by 
recognizing one of the great--yet often overlooked--injustices in our 
shared history.
  One-hundred and thirty years ago, just thirteen years after the last 
spike was driven into the first transcontinental railroad, the Congress 
of the United States strayed from the path laid by our founders and 
implemented the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
  This ten-year ban on Chinese immigration and naturalization targeted 
Chinese immigrants for physical and political exclusion, and its 
passage was driven by an unfortunate mix of racism, jingoism, and 
intolerance.
  In subsequent years, Congress expanded and hardened these laws, 
making it impossible for legal Chinese workers to reenter America, 
apply for citizenship, and reunite with their families. And it wasn't 
until the U.S.-Chinese alliance of World War Two that Congress finally 
repealed these laws and restored the rights of Chinese-Americans.
  Since that time, this body has passed many reforms. Yet, over 100 
years later, this chamber has yet to acknowledge its own misguided 
actions. Today, we have the opportunity to do just that and reaffirm 
our shared commitment to equality.
  Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank Linda Yang, the Director of 
the Xilin [SI-LIN] Asian Community Center in Naperville, Illinois, 
whose advice and input has helped to drive this resolution to the 
floor.
  It was she who told me about the individuals in our own community 
whose parents and grandparents were impacted by the Chinese Exclusion 
Act.
  Unfortunately, many of these victims are no longer with us. But for 
those who remain, it is critical to address this issue now, before the 
opportunity is lost forever.
  With that in mind, I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
important resolution. Through it, let us acknowledge the past, express 
our regret, and promote a greater appreciation for the challenges that 
past generations of Chinese Americans have bravely overcome.

                          ____________________