[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1144]
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. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 18, 2012

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 683, 
expressing the regret of the House of Representatives for the passage 
of laws that adversely affected the Chinese in the United States, 
including the Chinese Exclusion Act.
  In 1882, the U.S. Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act to 
prohibit people of Chinese descent from immigrating to the U.S. and 
becoming naturalized citizens. While the Chinese Exclusion Act was 
finally repealed in 1943, severe restrictions on Chinese immigration 
continued until the Immigration Act of 1965.
  For sixty years of our history, America closed its doors to the 
Chinese people. During this period, Chinese immigrants already living 
in the United States were prevented from becoming citizens, regardless 
of how long they had called this country home. This official 
discrimination by the government of the United States against people of 
Chinese descent was deeply wrong and a fundamental violation of 
America's principles of equality and justice.
  The pain caused by the Chinese Exclusion Act and other discriminatory 
policies cannot be undone. Still, Members of Congress have an 
obligation to recognize these injustices as a means of apology to all 
Chinese-Americans. Today, one hundred and thirty years after passage of 
the Chinese Exclusion Act, Congress is voting to express our regret on 
behalf of the American people. May this action also strengthen the 
resolve of this body to protect and defend the civil rights of all 
peoples, in all times.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this measure.

                          ____________________