Dear Mr. President Obama, Ms. Speaker Pelosi, Mr.Senate President Biden and Mr. Senate President Pro Tempore Byrd:
December 17 of this year marks the 67th anniversary of the U.S. Congress’ repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882-1943), a discriminatory law that had banned Chinese immigration, excluded Chinese Americans from broad civil liberty, and shut down our community growth in the U.S. for more than 60 years. Even today, although with all of its constituent sections repealed, Chapter 7 of Title 8 of the U.S. Code is still headed, “Exclusion of Chinese.” It was racially prejudiced for the Federal government to completely focus on and against a specific nationality or ethnic group. The National Council of Chinese Americans (NCCA) (www.myNCCA.org) and people (not just Chinese Americans) in our community strongly urge you to introduce and/or co-sponsor congressional legislation to apologize to Chinese American people for theChinese Exclusion Act and, more importantly, to establish the day of December 17 as the “National Day of Inclusion,” to promote diversity, tolerance, and forward-thinking.
In recent years, there has been a wave of official apologies in the U.S. and around the world: the U.S. Congress has made apologies to Japanese Americans with $1.6 billion reparation for the WWII Japanese Internment, to Hawaiian Americans for the “illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893,” to African Americans for injustice, cruelty, and the inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow, and to native Americans for historic violence, brutality and injustices. The Canadian government expressed apologies to Chinese Canadians for imposing unequal taxes on them; Australia apologized to its Aborigines and Chinese Australians for racist laws of the past. Americans, Chinese Americans included, begin to contemplate with “the question of a citizen”: Is a congressional apology to Chinese Americans unnecessary or not enough?
Our study indicates that the majority of Chinese Americans and many other American people consider such an apology necessary. The reason is that under God, a civil and humane society, such as the U.S., has the duty to recognize its fundamental injustices of the past and address them and/or their consequences today, and to discourage the occurrence of similar injustices in the U.S., and furthermore, to make more credible and sincere any declaration of concern by the U.S. over violations of human rights committed by other nations.
A congressional apology to Chinese American people for the Chinese Exclusion Act will mark the official recognition of Chinese Americans’ historic contribution to the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, the transformation of the Civil War-era West Frontier into agricultural land, the post-Civil War’s Industrialization, and America’s full-spectrum nation-building ever since. The National Council of Chinese Americans and many people in our communities have come to the conclusion that our nation needs to move beyond apologies. We need to establish the day of December 17, the date that theChinese Exclusion Act was repealed, as the “National Day of Inclusion,” so that all Americans can join hands in respect and reconciliation with each other and build an even more spectacular America!
Examining world history, one can see that every world power must harness the energy of pluralism and tolerance, and attract the talents that are excluded in other societies around the world. Sobering examples of intolerance and exclusion are Nazi Germany and imperial Japan: however powerful and technically advanced they were, both systems failed to attain and retain super-power status as a direct result of racial, religious and social intolerance. It is obvious that America’s success has been, and will continue to be, reliant upon America’s unsurpassed ability to attract immigrants, partially through the political framework outlined by Thomas Paine’s notion of “Independence and Democracy” and Woodrow Wilson’s concept of “the League of Nations.” This is especially true today in the post-9.11 era: to avoid reaching the so-called “tipping point” of decline, America must embrace inclusion and innovation at a scale that is grander than ever before. This is an historic calling.
The National Council of Chinese Americans and others in our community are looking forward to working with you on the congressional legislation. We have faith in your kindness, wisdom and vision. Thank you very much.
All our best regards,
Truly yours,
Haipei Shue, President；Zach Chen, Vice President
National Council of Chinese Americans
Following organizations have co-signed the petition on May 25, 2010.
80-20 Initiative
Dr. S.B. Woo, Executive Director
Nianfa Tang, President
Shan-Wen Yan, Vice President
Chinese School Association in the United States
Mr. Deng Long, President
US-China Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Chester Chong, President
Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles
Dr. Ping He, Ph.D. , President,
International Fund for China’s Environment
Mr. Howard Li, President
U.S. Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Jason Ma, Ph.D., Chairman and Dr. Lin Xu, President
Ohio Chinese Culture Line, Inc.
Meng Zhang, President
Yellow River Drama
Dr. Jianwei Wang, Ph.D., Professor
Recipient of MacArthur Grant
University of Wisconsin
Mr. Steven Zhu, Executive Vice President
Greater Philadelphia Chinese Restaurant Association
Chief Operating Officer of New Wave Resources, Inc.
Secretary General of Greater Philadelphia Fujian Association
Commissioner, Mayor Commissioner of Asian American Affair
Ms. Julie Wong, President
Asian Chamber of Commerce (PA)
Mr. James Mu, President
Association of Philadelphia Chinese Computer Professionals
Dr. Luyuan Li, Ph.D., Professor
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine & Nankai University
Mr. Howard Pan, President
Schnadig International Corp,
Dr. Ji Su, Ph.D., President
Peninsula Chinese American Association
Co-Chair of Hampton Road Chinese School Association
Dr. Dengke Xu, Ph.D., President
Ohio Zhejiang Union
Ms. Cathy Kimball, Owner/Editor-in-chief
ChinaStar (Chinese Newspaper)
Ms. Anne Martin-Montgomery, Founder
Chinese For Families, Inc.
Dr. Guangming Zhong, MD, PhD, President
San Antonio Chinese Alliance
Dr. Xibo Fan, PhD, President
Ohio Union of Alumni Associations from Universities in China
Mr. Joseph Lam, General Secretary
Great Philadelphia Oversea Chinese Association
Ms. Maple Chen, Premier
Mr. Tangde Wong and Mr. Lau An, Chairpersons,
HipSing Association Of America
Mr. Chi Wan Lui, President
Philadelphia HoShan Family Association
Mr. Tony Cheng, President
China’s Peaceful Reunification Association of PA
Dr. Xinshi Harrison Tu, Ph.D.
Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools
Dr. Dou Alvin Zhang, MD & Ph.D. President
Chinese American Doctors Association
Xixi Yang, Miss. China, TV Host, Multi-Media Entrepreneur, xixiyang.com
Jenny Zhong, Central Virginia Chinese School (Richmond)
Dr. Ying Fang, Ph.D., President
Chinese American Association of Cincinnati
Dr. Li Sun, Ph,D., Chairman
Greater Cincinnati Chinse Chamnber of Commerce
Mr. Yunfei Xiao, Executive Chairman, China America Friendship Association in New York
Dr. Wei Zhao, PhD, Principal
Central Virginia Chinese School-West End
Simon Liu, Chairman
Fujian Fraternal Association of Pennsylvania
Ms. Vicki Chen Asian Voters (New Jersey)
Shang Dong Association of North America
Mr. Ruzhao Cheng
Chinese American Business Association of Minnesota
China Tribune News paper
Mr. Jicheng Yao, President
Global Artists League
Mr. Naiyi Zhao, President
Tang School Peking Opera Association
Tel: 646-339-1688
Mr. Wenzhang Zhai
North America Chinese Caligraphers’ Association;
Mrs. Anh Lam, President
Philadelphia Asian Community Center
1108 S. 5th Street, 2nd FL
Philadelphia, 19147
Mr. Bihong Guan, Publisher
US Chinese Business Newspaper
1611 Bridge Street, Philadelphia, PA
Mr. Leo Fox, President
Huaguang Arts Center, Philadelphia
1420 Walnut Street, Suite 1301, Philadelphia, PA19102
Zhejiang University Alumni Association Houston
Gong Jianping
Dalian University of Technology Alumni Association
Gu Zhihao, Wang Sheng (Sam), Liu Xiao
NanKai (Tianjin) University Alumni Association in Houston
Wang Yong (Victor), Zhu Xiangcai
Austin Chinese Professional Society
Yan Nan
Xiamen University Alumni Association
Fen Wang
Texas Medical Center/Baylor College of Medicine Chinese Students and Scholars Association
Huang Qian, Hu Guang
Mr. Jicheng Yao, President, Global Artists League
Mr. Naiyi Zhao, President, Tang School Peking Opera Association,
Mr. Wenzhang Zhai, North America Chinese Caligraphers’ Association
Mrs. Anh Lam, President Philadelphia Asian Community Center
Mr. Bihong Guan, Publisher, US Chinese Business Newspaper (PA)
Mr. Leo Fox, President Huaguang Arts Center, Philadelphia (PA)
Asian American Voters (New Jersey)
Vicki Chen, president
New York Association for Peaceful Unification of China
Chuenhsiung Hua, president
Maryland-India Business Round Table
Rajan Nata, president
Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) DC
Stan Tsai, president
Education Association for China Tomorrow
John Wang president
Fujian Association of the United States
Rongfa Chen, president
* Virginia Muslim Political Action Committee (VMPAC)
Mukit Hossain, president
Guangdong Resident Association of Greater Washington DC
He Huang, Ph. D, president
American Chinese School (Greater DC)
Yaohui Wang, M.D. President
He Huang Ph. D Chairman
Chongqing Hometown Association
Xiaopo Zhu, president
National Federation of Filipino American Association
(NAFFAA)
Jon Melegrito, president
World Today International Group
Jie Ping Huang, president
* Legal Immigrant Association
Adam Zhang, president
Robert Sun, chairman
A & C Business News
Neil Huang, editor-in-chief
Virginia Muslim Political Action Committee (VMPAC)
Mukit Hossain, president
Guangdong Resident Association of Greater Washington DC
He Huang, Ph. D, president
American Chinese School (Greater DC)
Yaohui Wang, M.D. President
He Huang Ph. D Chairman
Chongqing Hometown Association
Xiaopo Zhu, president
OCA-Philadelphia
Jason Yu, President
Mr. Wai Keung NG, President
International Lions Club of Philadelphia
Mr. Hai Tuan Ngo, President
Greater Philadelphia United Chinese American Charmber of Commerce
Mr. Charles Chen, President
Chinese Society of San Antonio
Dr. Gang Cao, Ph.D., Professor, Director
Center for Advanced Materials, University of Kentucky
Mr. Jay Sun, President
Association of Northeastern Chinese in the US (DC)
Mr. Han Pan, Chief Senior Adviser
Greater Philadelphia United Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Li Sun, Ph.D., Chairman
Chinese American Business Professional Association
Shau Zavon, President
Ohio Chinese American Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Jerry Jin, Ph.D., President
Greater San Antonio Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Simon X.S. Liu, President
Asian American Senior Association of Pennsylvania
Dr. Jack Z Hu, Ph.D., President
Taney Academy of Sciences,
Mr. Ping Leung Cheung, Senior Adviser
Mr. Serial Adviser / Honor Chairman
CBA Association
Dr. Swallow Yan, Ph.D., Executive Director
Chinese Association of Iowa
Ms. Mei Qing Ren, President
Greater Philadelphia Fujian Association
Mr. Danny Lau, President
Greater Philadelphia Chinese Restaurant Associate
Dr. Qingyuan Han, Ph.D.
Director, NCCA Education,
Mr. Chi Wan Lui, President
Philadelphia HoShan Family Association
Mr. Lee Hopa, Chairman
Lees Association
Mr. Jimmy Wong, President
Philadelphia Fujian Associate USA
Dr. Gary Wang, Ph.D., President
Chinese Music Ensemble (San Antonio)
Mr. Hung Sang Leung, President
Tong On Association
Mr. Cheng Zi Ai, President
American Hoyu Association
Dr. Philip Chen, Ph.D, Director
NCCA Science & Technology
Mr. Lin Wuu, President
Great Philadelphia China Peaceful Unification Association
Mr. Tangde Wong, Chairman
Fujian Dashe Friendship Association
Dr. Fengqiang Liu, President
Chinese Association of Hometown Shandong (DC)
Mr. Jianzeng Hu, President
Chinese American Association of Henan Province
Chaoyu Liu, Ph.D. Co-Chairman
Ji Su, Ph.D. Co-Chairman
Eastern Virginia Chinese School Association
Hongbin Shao, President, Peninsula Chinese American Association
Qiuli Sun, Ph.D., Principal
Ying Zhang M.S. Vice Principal
Tidewater Chinese School
Mr. Ronghua Chen, President
United Associations of Fujian fellows
Mr. Sihe Chen, President
Associations of Fujian fellows (DC)
Jiuwang Li, Principal
Ying Zhang,Vice Principal
Tidewater Chinese School
Chairman: Kevin Zhang
Principal: Wei Guo
PTA President: Min Zhu
Howard County Chinese School
John Wang, Director
Education Association for China Tomorrow
Fenghua Academy, Chicago, IL
Principal: Ron Li, Ph.D.
Davis NewStar Chinese School, Davis, CA
Principal: Ning Wan
Durham Chinese School, Durham, NC
Principal: Xiaoping Johnson, Ph.D.
Long Island School of Chinese, New York, NY
Principal: Mr. Lihong Cheng
Dongfang Chinese School, Chicago, IL
Principal: Nancy Xie
Chairman: Jie Chen
Qingyuan Han, Ph.D. President
Guangming Zhou, Ph.D. Chairman
Huaxing Language & Culture Center, Columbia, MD
UACA, United Association of Chinese Alumni in Houston
Mao Juanjuan, Chen Yanfei
Jiaotong University Alumni Association in Houston
Tang Xinming (Steven)
Bei Jing University Alumni Association in Houston
Yang Yiming
Hsinghua University Alumni Association in Houston
Mao Juanjun, Lu Kun
Chinese Science & Tech College Alumni Association in Houston
Zhao Yuan, Huan Xiaojun
The Association of Wuhan University Houston Area Alumni
Zhou Zhijian (Joe), Deng Yuanjian (Jack)
Rice Chinese Students & Scholars Club,
Cheng Gang, Tao Ping
Friendship Association of Chinese Students and Scholars at Univ. of Houston
Zhou Yi
Fenghua Academy, Chicago, IL
Principal: Ron Li, Ph.D.
Davis NewStar Chinese School, Davis, CA
Principal: Ning Wan
Durham Chinese School, Durham, NC
Principal: Xiaoping Johnson, Ph.D.
Long Island School of Chinese, New York, NY
Principal: Mr. Lihong Cheng
Dongfang Chinese School, Chicago, IL
Principal: Nancy Xie
Chairman: Jie Chen
Huaxing Language & Culture Center, Columbia, MD
President: Qingyuan Han, Ph.D.
Chairman: Guangming Zhou, Ph.D
Greater Memphis United Chinese Association, Memphis, TN
President: John Chen
Howard County Chinese School, Columbia, MD
Chairman: Kevin Zhang
Principal: Wei Guo
PTA President: Min Zhu
Fenghua Academy, Chicago, IL
Principal: Ron Li, Ph.D.
Davis NewStar Chinese School, Davis, CA
Principal: Ning Wan
Durham Chinese School, Durham, NC
Principal: Xiaoping Johnson, Ph.D.
Long Island School of Chinese, New York, NY
Principal: Mr. Lihong Cheng
Dongfang Chinese School, Chicago, IL
Principal: Nancy Xie
Chairman: Jie Chen
Huaxing Language & Culture Center, Columbia, MD
President: Qingyuan Han, Ph.D.
Chairman: Guangming Zhou, Ph.D.
Massachusetts Beijing Chinese Language School, Shrewsbury, MA
Principal and Chairman: Weichu Xu
J & J Chinese School, Austin, TX
Principal: Jeannie Xiang, Ph.D.
Xilin Northwest Chinese School, Chicago, IL
Principal: Fan Li
Greater Cincinnati Chinese School, Cincinnati, OH
Chairman: Charlie Zhang
Vice Chair: Ying Gu
East Tennessee Chinese School, Knoxville, TN
Principals: Jun Qu & Weihua Li
Director: Hong Li
Austin Great Wall Chinese School, Austin, TX
Principal: Yu Tang
CCC Chinese School, Albany, NY
Principal: Jiangzhong Tang
San Diego Huaxia Chinese School, Riverside, CA
Principal: Huirou Tian
Minnesota Minghua Central School, St. Paul, MN
Principal: Shuxian Hu
Ray Chinese School, Chicago, IL
Principal: Simon Zhang
Western Connecticut Chinese Association, Danbury, CT
President: Hong Ding, Vice President: 曾心怡, BOD Members:
王筱棣,王黎翔,邓进财,Yulin Ma,
Zhidong Chen, Ling Chen, Amily Chen, 冯武成,卢源玫, 张嵩文
张清, 潘左宏, 章忠华, 董薇,
薛宁,许辉, 张瑞韶, Y. Chen, Charlie Zhao, Helen Hsu, Hao Wang
