Resolution 15417CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 15417
SUPPORTING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BILL 2358 AND
SENATE BILL 1050 THE CHINESE AMERICAN WORLD WAR 11
VETERANS CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT
WHEREAS, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited immigration of
Chinese laborers to the United States. At the start of World War 11, there were 78,000
Chinese Americans living on the United States 'mainland, and 29,000 living in Hawaii;
and
WHEREAS, despite anti -Chinese immigration policies, over 13,000 Chinese
Americans served in units of the Army Ground Forces and Army Air Forces in World
War 11; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 40 percent of Chinese American soldiers who served
our country in World War 11 were not born in the United States. After Congress repealed
the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943, many Chinese American soldiers became
naturalized citizens; and
WHEREAS, Chinese Americans served in every theater of battle and every
branch of service in World War 11. Most Chinese Americans were assigned to regular
ground units. Chinese American personnel made up the majority of the 14th Air Service
Group, which provided support units for the China -Burma -India theater. Chinese
Americans also trained as pilots and aircrew and fought in Europe and the Pacific; and
WHEREAS, many Chinese American women served in the Women's Army
Corps (WACs), the Army Air Force, and the United States Naval Reserve Women's
Reserve (WAVES). Chinese American woman became pilots, air traffic controllers, flight
trainers, translators, weather forecasters, occupational therapists, and nurses; and
WHEREAS, on May 4, 2017, members of the United States Senate and Unites
States House of Representatives introduced bills to collectively award the
Congressional Gold Medal to Chinese American Veterans of World War 11; and
WHEREAS, Chinese American World War 11 Veterans made significant
contributions to our country without being honored. In recent years, other historically
overlooked military units, including the Filipino World War 11 Veterans, Native American
Code Talkers, Members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, and the Monuments Men have
been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 2358 and S. 1050 recognize the dedicated service of Chinese
Americans during World War 11. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian
honor awarded by Congress; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Census, more than 30 percent of people living
in the City of Alameda are of Asian Pacific Islander heritage; many with relatives who
served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and to whom our community is
deeply thankful for their service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of
Alameda that the Council supports the recognition of all United States service members,
and supports efforts by the Unites States Congress to recognize the contribution made
to America by Chinese Americans during World War II by awarding Chinese American
World War II Veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and
regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in a regular
meeting assembled on the 24th day of July 2018, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie, Vella and
Mayor Spencer — 5.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said City this 25th day of July 2018.
C
Lara Weisiger,1 y Clerk
City of Alameda
Janet C:' Kern, City Attorney
City of Alameda