Res. No. 362

Resolution calling upon the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.R. 2358, which would provide an award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the Chinese-American Veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

By Council Members Holden and Yeger

                     Whereas, World War II was the bloodiest conflict in human history; and

                     Whereas, According to the National World War II Museum, it claimed more than 60 million lives worldwide, including more than 400,000 in the United States; and

                     Whereas, Americans of all backgrounds fought and died in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific; and

                     Whereas, Chinese-Americans made a brave and notable contribution to the war effort; and

                     Whereas, According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, more than 13,000 Chinese-Americans served in World War II; and

                      Whereas, Additionally, the 407^th Air Service Squadron and the 987^th Signal Company were entirely Chinese-American; and                      

                     Whereas, The contribution of Chinese-Americans to the war effort is particularly noteworthy because of the instances of anti-Chinese discrimination in American history; and

                      Whereas, The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 barred most immigration from China to the United States and it was not repealed until the passage of the Magnuson Act in 1943; and

                     Whereas, The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress; and

                     Whereas, In recent years, overlooked World War II units including Filipino veterans, Native American code talkers, and Monuments Men have all received the medal; and

                     Whereas, Bestowing the nation’s highest civilian honor upon Chinese-American World War Two veterans would represent appropriate recognition for the commitment and patriotism that these individuals displayed in the face of enormous adversity; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.R. 2358, which would provide an award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the Chinese-American Veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

LS 5853

MK

3/23/18