Chinese American WWII veterans await Trump's signature for medals

Chinese American soldiers march in Boston's Veterans Day Parade during World War II.

ALL THE BILL needs to honor Chinese American WWII veterans is Donald Trump's signature.

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed S. 1050, the Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act last Wednesday. 

This bipartisan legislation – led by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Congressmen Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) – will recognize the unheralded contributions made by more than 18,000 Chinese American World War II veterans and award them with the Congressional Gold Medal. 

“Despite facing outright discrimination, more than 18,000 brave Chinese Americans volunteered to risk their lives to protect their fellow Americans during World War II. I’m proud my colleagues from both sides of the aisle have chosen to recognize this brave group of Veterans’ unwavering commitment and honor them with a Congressional Gold Medal,” said Duckworth.

The bill unanimously passed the Senate earlier this year and now awaits the President’s signature. 

Chinese American veterans are the latest group of Asian American veterans to receive the long-delayed recognition. Japanese Americans who fought in the famed 442nd Regiement were the first to be honored fofllowed last year by Filipino American WWII veterans.

"Like other minority service members, their contributions were not appropriately recognized during or immediately after World War II," said Hirono.

In fact, the Chinese are the only U.S. minority group that has not been recognized for their service. Native Americans and Navajo Code Talkers; Tuskegee Airman; Montford Point Marines; Women Air Force Service Pilots; have all been recognized for their service during World War II with Congressional Gold Medals along with the Japanese American and Filipino American vets.

"By proudly serving their country, even in the face of the shameful Chinese Exclusion Act, Chinese American veterans exemplified patriotism and demonstrated a deep commitment to the United States," said Lieu.
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