7884 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE May 15, 2000 Russia. We have wavered. We have ig- crats, Mr. Speaker; have an honest dis- strong leadership of the Congressional nored reality. We have pretended cussion with us about our approach Asian Pacific Caucus, which he has things are not what they are and we with the Russians; clear up the START brought to the forefront and addressed have allowed Russian entities to get II treaty; get rid of those two protocols many of the critical issues facing our away with deliberate violations of that were never a part of the START II Nation. arms control treaties that have under- treaty that the Senate ratified in 1993 Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, I will mined the confidence of the Congress and bring in George W. Bush along not be able to participate in the special in terms of a new treaty we would with Al Gore and involve both of them order tomorrow, as I have a prior com- enter into, and that is a real sorrowful in any discussions with the Russians, mitment to give an Asian Pacific situation. because if the President does not, Mr. American Heritage Month speech at So I would hope, Mr. Speaker, that Speaker, if he does not do that then we Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and then at Fort this administration and the President could only read his intent as being Hood, Texas, this coming weekend. and his team would reach out in the purely political; purely political be- On that note, Mr. Speaker, I have last 3 weeks before the Moscow trip to cause the President knows that his just returned from Fort Bragg, North the Congress to bring in Republican only attempt would be to, one, change Carolina, and Fort Sam Houston, and Democrat leaders, to have a full his own legacy and, two, bolster Al Texas, where last week I delivered ad- and open debate and dialogue about Gore’s campaign and not to a sincere dresses to our service men and women where we are going with Russia; not to effort to get this country’s legislative at their Asia Pacific Heritage Month do something in secret, not to have bodies to ratify a substantive agree- programs. I certainly want to extend my deep- some grand announcement, where he ment with Russia, because if that were est appreciation to Major General Wil- attempts to capture the imagination of the case the President would involve liam Boykin of the U.S. Army Special the American people to restore a failed this Congress and he would involve Forces headquarters and Brigadier foreign policy legacy and not to boost George W. Bush in this process before General Thomas Turner of the U.S. Al Gore’s campaign and give him an he goes to Moscow. Army 82nd Airborne, both groups at edge on defense issues. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my If the President does not do that, Mr. Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and also colleagues to convey their concerns, as Speaker, then this Congress will not my good friend Major General James I will be doing. support anything that the President Peake, the commanding general at negotiates and, unfortunately, we will f Fort Sam Houston, for their warm and again create more of a lack of con- REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- gracious hospitality and the courtesies fidence on the Russian side as to what VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF that were extended to me when I vis- our intentions are in our relationship. H.R. 4425, MILITARY CONSTRUC- ited them earlier this month. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I have encour- TION APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001 Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to be aged the President to move away from here tonight to share with our great Mr. DREIER (during the special the whole theory of mutually assured Nation a legacy of those Americans order of Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania), deterrence where we basically dare whose roots extend from the soils of from the Committee on Rules, sub- each other to attack and build up these nations in the Asia and Pacific region. mitted a privileged report (Rept. No. large missiles to attack each other and Mr. Speaker, the Asian Pacific region 106–618) on the resolution (H. Res. 502) move toward what I call asymmetric is a dynamic area of the world where providing for consideration of the bill deterrence, where we continue to nego- two-thirds of the world’s population re- (H.R. 4425) making appropriations for tiate with the Russians decreases in side. Our Nation’s trade with the Asian our offensive weapons but begin to military construction, family housing, Pacific region is almost twice of any allow in those negotiations strategic and base realignment and closure for other region, including Europe. defensive systems as well, so that we the Department of Defense for the fis- I recall Senator DANIEL INOUYE of Ha- focus on defending our people as op- cal year ending September 30, 2001 and waii once elaborated or illustrated our posed to threatening to attack the for other purposes, which was referred trade with the Asian Pacific region and other side. to the House Calendar and ordered to Europe in this fashion, he once made Mr. Speaker, if this President wants be printed. the comment that for every one or sin- to change the legacy that he has made f gle 747 that flies between the Atlantic for himself, the best thing he could do ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN and the East Coast of our Nation four would be to go to Moscow with a bipar- HERITAGE MONTH 747s fly between the Asian and Pacific tisan approach. In fact, I would go even region to our country. one step further, Mr. Speaker. I would The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Asians, or Americans of Asian Pacific implore the President in this, an elec- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- descent, over 10.5 million strong, are tion year, to invite Governor George uary 6, 1999, the gentleman from Amer- among the fastest growing demo- Bush and Vice President Al Gore in to ican Samoa (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA) is graphic groups in the United States let each of them share in any negotia- recognized for 60 minutes. today. Over the last decade, the Asian tion that takes place in Moscow, be- Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, Pacific American community has more cause President Clinton is not going to a few years back I was privileged, along than doubled and this rapid growth is get anything ratified that he does in with my Asian Pacific colleagues on expected to continue in the 21st cen- Moscow, number one, because of the Capitol Hill, to attend a special White tury. By 2050 the Asian Pacific Amer- legacy of the failed arms control prac- House ceremony where President Clin- ican population is projected to exceed tices of the past 71⁄2 years but, two, just ton signed an official proclamation de- 40 million people. because of the time involved. claring May, this month, as it is true As many of my colleagues are aware, The President will go in June. We each year, as National Asia Pacific the immigrants of the Asian Pacific will be in session the rest of June and Heritage Month. countries are amongst the newest wave July. We will break in August, come Tomorrow, my friend and colleague, to arrive in the United States in recent back in September. No arms control the gentleman from Guam (Mr. UNDER- years. However, they are merely the agreement has ever been ratified that WOOD), who is currently the chairman latest chapter in a long history of quickly by a Senate, and the President of our Congressional Asian Pacific Cau- Asian Pacific Americans in our Nation. knows that. So he will not have to get cus, along with our other colleagues, During this time of celebration, Mr. the support of the Congress in the next will hold a special order commemo- Speaker, it is only fitting that we session. It will be either Al Gore or rating the month of May which honors honor our fellow citizens of Asian Pa- George W. Bush. Asian Pacific Americans. cific descent both from the past and So my advice to the President would I commend and thank the gentleman the present that have blessed and en- be, bring in Republicans and Demo- from Guam (Mr. UNDERWOOD) for his riched our Nation. I submit that Asian

VerDate jul 14 2003 08:51 Sep 17, 2004 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\H15MY0.002 H15MY0 May 15, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 7885 Pacific Americans have certainly been States that laid groundwork for com- like Samoan All-Pro linebacker Junior an asset to our country’s development bat in sickle-cell anemia. Seau of the San Diego Chargers, and and it is most appropriate that our In 1973, Dr. Leo Esaki, a Japanese former All-Pro guard Jesse Sapolu of President and the Congress recognize American, was awarded the Nobel Prize the San Francisco Forty-Niners, these achievements by establishing a in physics for his electron tunneling former All-Pro tackle Dan Saleaumua National Asian Pacific Heritage theories, and in engineering few have of the Kansas City Chiefs, and All-Pro Month. matched the architectural master- tackle Luther Ellis of the Detroit The peoples of the Asian Pacific have pieces created by the genius of Chinese Lions, who have made their mark as contributed much to America’s devel- American I.M. Pey. stars in the National Football League. opment. For example, in the fields of In the fields of business and com- Yes, I am also impressed with dot sciences and in medicine nothing exem- merce, the names of prominent Asian you end, a Vietnamese American who plifies this more than Time Magazine’s Pacific American and corporate leaders won numerous college awards as a top selection a few years ago of a Chinese and legal scholars are too numerous to linebacker, and will expect to play first American as its Man of the Year, Dr. mention. One need only read our Na- string this year with the Dallas Cow- David Ho, head of the prestigious tion’s top periodicals and newspapers boys. Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center to document that Asian Pacific stu- In professional boxing, which a fast at New York University Medical dents, both in secondary schools and rising Samoan challenger in heavy- School. universities, are among the brightest weight professional boxer Dat Nguyen, Dr. Ho’s journey, starting as a 12- minds that our Nation has produced. a Vietnamese American, who is now year-old immigrant from Taiwan to For example, a recent Stanford grad- ranked number one in the world heavy- gracing the cover of Time Magazine, uate, Jerry Yang, a Taiwanese Amer- weight division by the International has given hope to millions of people ican who cofounded Yahoo, the Inter- Boxing Federation. around the world afflicted by the HIV net directory, Yang’s Internet com- USA Today just 2 days ago gave virus. His story is a stirring testament pany recorded $588 million in sales last David Tua as ranking number 3 overall to the significant contributions that year and is valued at over $11 billion in the world, just ahead of Evander Asian Pacific American immigrants today. Holyfield and Lewis Lennox. It is ex- have made to our Nation. As one of the Just last week, Mr. Speaker, USA pected that David Tua will be fighting foremost AIDS scientists in the world, Today announced its top 20 high school for the heavyweight title sometime in Dr. Ho pioneered a treatment for the students around the Nation, and among November of this year. HIV infection with the usage of an the 20 top students that was announced Mr. Speaker, one of the brightest anti-viral drug. This has fundamen- by USA Today, Mr. Speaker, 13 were stars to emerge recently from our com- tally changed the approach of combat- Asian Pacific Americans. munity is, yes, none other than Tiger ting AIDS, stated Time Magazine in In the entertainment fields in sports, Woods, a professional golfer who has honoring Dr. Ho. Dr. Ho’s work is American martial arts expert Bruce identified himself not only as an Afri- greatly responsible for containing the Lee captivated the movie audiences of can-American but as an Asian Amer- AIDS epidemic in America and today this Nation destroying the stereotype ican, too, due to his mother being of less than 1 percent of our citizens are of that passive, quiet Asian American Thai ancestry. infected. male. In routing the field in the Masters The rest of the world is not so fortu- Worldclass conductor Seiji Ozawa has Tournament a few years ago, Tiger nate, Mr. Speaker. Just recently, the led the San Francisco and Boston Sym- made history. He continued making Clinton administration announced that phony Orchestras through brilliant history this year by winning 6 PGA global spread of AIDS has reached cat- performances over the years. golf tournaments in a row, matching astrophic dimensions that threaten to Mr. Speaker, a native Hawaiian by the second longest winning streak in overwhelm foreign governments, ignite the name of Duke Kahanamoku history. Before Tiger Woods’ career is wars and destabilize entire regions of shocked the world by winning the finished, Mr. Speaker, this American the world. With 16 million dead from Olympic Gold Medal for our Nation in will reinvent the game of golf. AIDS and over 33 million infected swimming 7 decades ago; followed by I recall when someone asked Tiger worldwide, the AIDS crisis has spread Dr. Sammy Lee, a Korean American who he was or who he is in an article, from Africa to South Asia to the who won the Olympic Gold Medal in he said he is part African-American, he former Soviet Union and even Eastern high diving. is Native American, he is white, he is Europe. Then there was Tommy Kono, a Jap- Asian American, and that makes him a The global AIDS pandemic is now so anese American from the State of Ha- pure golfer. serious that the National Security waii, also a Gold Olympic Medalist in Another professional golfer, Mr. Council of the United Nations has de- weightlifting and, yes, perhaps the Speaker, we must honor is Vijay Singh, clared it a national security threat greatest Olympic high diver ever originally from the island of Fiji and is even to our own nation. known to the world, a Samoan Greek now an American resident. This Pacific Against this backdrop, Dr. Ho’s med- American by the name of Greg Islander showed great discipline and ical research is increasingly front and Louganis, whose record in gold medals tremendous heart in winning this center stage in the worldwide battle to and national championships and inter- year’s Masters Tournament despite contain this destructive disease. By re- national tournaments will be in the grueling weather conditions and com- storing hope to millions of patients books for a long, long time to come. around the world suffering from this petition from the world’s best golfers. deadly virus, Dr. Ho is a credit to our b 2045 The win was Vijay’s second major vic- Nation and the Asian Pacific American There is Japanese American Kristi tory establishing his place certainly community. Yamaguichi, and Chinese-American among golf’s elite. Dr. Ho’s scientific advances continue Michelle Kwan’s enthralling ice skat- We also have Asian Americans who a long record of service by other Asian ing performances at the Winter Olym- are making their mark, Mr. Speaker, Pacific Americans. For example, in pics continued the milestone achieve- in history, not in our country but even 1899 a Japanese immigrant arrived on ments by Asian Pacific Americans. in the Far East. We have Samoan the shores of this Nation. After years In professional sports, we have Mi- American Salevaa Atisanoe, who only of study and work, this man, Dr. chael Chang blazing new paths in ten- weighs 578 pounds as a former sumo Hideyo Noguchi, isolated a syphilis nis, and Pacific Islanders Brian Wil- wrestler in Japan for 15 years; a wres- germ leading to a cure for this deadly liams and Michael Jones in world tler by the name of Konishiki. He was widespread disease. rugby, and many others. the first foreigner in Japanese cen- For decades, Dr. Makio Murayama Of course, we cannot forget the tens turies-old sport to break through to conducted vital research in the United of dozens of Polynesian Americans, the rarefied area of sumo’s second-

VerDate jul 14 2003 08:51 Sep 17, 2004 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\H15MY0.002 H15MY0 7886 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE May 15, 2000 highest rank. Another Samoan/Tongan It was while fighting in Italy that these Distinguished Service Cross re- American, Leitani Peitani, known in Senator INOUYE, then a young lieuten- cipients to the Medal of Honor. Japan as Musashimaru, has now at- ant, was shot in the abdomen and leg For example, Staff Sergeant Rudolph tained the last position in sumo wres- and had his arm shattered by a grenade DaVila, of Vista, California, in the tling known as Yokozuna, or grand while advancing alone and personally Army’s breakthrough from a beach- champion. eliminating three German machine gun head in Anzaio, Italy, in 1943, he single- Along with him is a native Hawaiian nests that had pinned down his pla- handedly saved 130 riflemen from Ger- by the name of Chad Rowen, or toon. The Senator lost his arm and man machine gun fire by silencing sev- Akebono as he is known in Japan. He spent 20 months recovering in Army eral gun positions. has scaled even greater heights in hospitals before receiving the Distin- Private Barney Hajiro of Waipahu, sumo by attaining the exalted status of guished Service Cross, the second high- Hawaii, charged uphill in eastern grand champion. est medal for bravery awarded by our France in 1944, where he destroyed two Until this Polynesian American ar- Nation. German machine gun nests and killed rived on the scene no foreigner had Last week, Mr. Speaker, Secretary of two snipers, a member of the 442nd In- ever been permitted to assume this sa- the Army Lewis Caldera and the De- fantry. cred position, as the Japanese associ- partment of Defense announced they Private Mikio Hasemoto, Hawaii- ated the Yokozuna with the essence of have completed a reevaluation of the born, killed in action December 1, 1943, Shinto’s guardian spirits. exceptional heroism displayed by the in Italy, a member of the 100th The ascendancy to grand champion soldiers of the 100th Batallion and Batallion. sumo status goes to the heart of the 442nd Infantry. As a result, I am very Private Joe Hayashi of Pasadena, Japanese religion and culture, and it is proud to say that next month, on June California, killed in action. He led at- a tremendous achievement by this na- 21, in a special White House ceremony, tacks that took strategic hills near tive Hawaiian and certainly a credit, a Senator DANIEL INOUYE from Hawaii Tendola, Italy, a member of the 442nd. tribute to the Asian American commu- and 18 of his fellow Japanese American Private Shizuya Hayashi of Pearl nity. soldiers shall be awarded this Nation’s City, Hawaii, charged with his auto- Mr. Speaker, in honoring the Asian last military decoration, the Medal of matic rifle near Cerasuolo, Italy. He American Americans that have served Honor. killed nearly 20 Germans and took four to enrich our Nation, I would be remiss Additionally, two other soldiers, a prisoners, a member of the 100th as a Vietnam veteran if I do not honor Filipino American and a Chinese-Ha- Batallion. the contributions of the Japanese waiian American, shall also receive Second Lieutenant DANIEL INOUYE, Americans who served in the U.S. Medals of Honor at the White House now a United States Senator, April, Army’s 100th Batallion and 442nd In- ceremony. 1945, he destroyed three German ma- fantry Combat Group. For the past 12 years, Mr. Speaker, I chine gun positions, staying on the History speaks for itself in docu- have been complaining about this in- field to direct his troops, after his right menting that none have shed their justice, where anti-Japanese and anti- arm was shattered by an enemy gre- blood more valiantly for America than Asian prejudice prevented these Amer- nade, a member of the 442nd Infantry. the Japanese Americans who served in ican heroes from being properly recog- Tech. Sergeant Yeiki Kobashigawa of these units while fighting enemy forces nized. On that point, Mr. Speaker, Sen- Waianae, near Lanuvio, Italy, where he in Europe during World War II. ator DANIEL K. AKAKA of Hawaii de- had a companion, destroyed two Ger- The records of the 100th Batallion serves tremendous credit and our Na- man machine gun defense emplace- and 442nd Infantry, Mr. Speaker, are tion’s gratitude for introducing legisla- ments, a member of the 100th Bat- without equal. These Japanese Amer- tion that passed in 1996 which man- talion. ican units suffered an unprecedented dated that the Pentagon review and re- Staff Sergeant Robert Kuroda, a casualty rate of 314 percent and re- evaluate the courageous exploits of the medal awarded posthumously, killed in ceived over 18,000 individual decora- soldiers of the 100th Battalion and action in October, 1944, a member of tions, many awarded posthumously for 442nd Infantry. the 442nd Infantry. bravery and courage in the field of bat- Finally, the records are being Private First Class Kaoru Moto of tle. changed to reflect the legendary brav- Makawao, Maui, who died in 1992. Mr. Speaker, a total of 52 Distin- ery of these Asian American warriors, Alone, he wiped out a machine gun guished Service Crosses, 560 Silver and finally justice is being done. It nest and later crawled 100 yards under Stars, and 9,480 Purple Hearts were took 50 years, Mr. Speaker, and today fire to capture prisoners, a member of awarded to the Japanese American sol- there are only seven survivors out of the 100th. diers who fought in the 100th Batallion the 21 Medal of Honor recipients, but Private First Class Kiyoshi and 442nd Infantry. this is what makes America a great Muranaga, killed in action. His mortar Given the tremendous sacrifice of Nation, Mr. Speaker, I submit. I am fire forced the Germans to withdraw an life, however, it was highly unusual pleased to see that this injustice has 88 millimeter Howitzer threatening his that only one Medal of Honor was been corrected. platoon. A shell from a German gun given. Nonetheless, the 442nd Combat Mr. Speaker, despite this change killed him, a member of the 442nd In- Group emerged as the most decorated where we will now honor 21 Asian Pa- fantry. group unit of its size ever in the his- cific Americans to become recipients of Private Masato Nakae, Hawaii. He tory of the United States Army. our Nation’s highest award in the field died in 1998. When his submachine gun President Truman was so moved by of battle, that of the Medal of Honor, was damaged, he picked up a wounded their bravery in the field of battle, as there are complaints from some so- comrade’s rifle to hold off the advanc- well as that of the African-American called experts that the only reason why ing enemy with rifle grenades. Also soldiers and sailors who fought during we made these changes is because of throwing hand grenades, he forced an World War II, that President Truman political pressures, and that it is done enemy retreat; a member of the 100th then issued an executive order to de- because it was politically expedient. Batallion. segregate the Armed Forces. I say to such criticism, they are full Private Shinyei Nakamine of Hawaii, I am proud to say that we can count of baloney. What I would say is also killed in action, age 24, while attack- Senator DANIEL K. INOUYE, a highly re- the word Awaha, in the Hawaiian lan- ing machine gun nests, a member of spected Senator, and the late Senator guage, a bunch of hot air. the 100th. Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii as soldiers Let me share with my colleagues and Private First Class William who distinguished themselves in battle with the American people, Mr. Speak- Nakamura, killed by a sniper in 1944 in with the 100th Batallion and 442nd In- er, why the U.S. Army and the Depart- Italy during a bitter firefight in which fantry. ment of Defense has properly upgraded he pinned down German gunmen to

VerDate jul 14 2003 08:51 Sep 17, 2004 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\H15MY0.002 H15MY0 May 15, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 7887 allow his platoon to withdraw, member lost his right arm in battle as a platoon lead- Army lawyers determined that 23 Filipinos of the 442nd Infantry. er with the 442nd in Italy. who got the Distinguished Service Cross Private First Class Joe Nishimoto of Another medal recipient, Francis Wai, an from MacArthur were ineligible by law for Fresno, California, killed in action 8 infantry captain, was of Chinese and Hawai- the Medal of Honor. They had served in the ian ancestry. A UCLA football star before Philippine Army or constabulary, not the days after the heroism in France for the war, Wai was killed during Gen. Douglas U.S. Army. which he is honored. Fiercely attack- MacArthur’s 1944 liberation of the Philippine But 25 Philippine Scouts, attached to the ing alone he forced enemy withdrawal island of Leyte. U.S. Army, were considered for the top-rank- and broke a 3-day stalemate; member Recipient Rudolph Davila, 84, of Vista, ing medal. None were recommended for it by of the 442nd Infantry. Calif., is of Filipino and Spanish ancestry. the Army’s three reviewing boards of senior Sergeant Alan Ohata of Hawaii, died Presentation of the medals at an outdoor generals, headed by Gen. Eric Shinseki be- in 1977. Eight days off the ship, he and White House ceremony on June 21 will bring fore he became Army chief of staff in June. to 462 the number of Medals of Honor award- a companion advanced through fire and HEAVILY DECORATED UNITS ed for the highest gallantry in World War II, Their dominant share of the new Medals of killed at least 51 attacking Germans; a in which 15 million Americans served in uni- Honor won’t surprise wartime admirers of member of the 100th Battalion;. form. Only two fighting men of Asian or Pa- the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Tech Sergeant Yukio Okutsu from cific island ancestry, Army Pvt. Sadao 100th Infantry Battalion. Hilo, Hawaii, destroyed two machine Munemori and Sgt. Jose Calugas of the Phil- After months of initial suspicion by mili- ippine Scouts, previously had received the gun nests, captured a third at Mount tary leaders, political lobbing by Japanese blue-ribboned medal for that conflict. Belvedere in Italy; a bullet bounced off Americans in Hawaii won the community’s Asian-American veterans say the addi- his helmet; member of the 442nd Infan- young men the right to serve in 1942. The tional Medals of Honor validate a long drive try. 1,300-member 100th and later the 4,500-mem- for justice. Suspecting that wartime preju- ber 442nd were organized in Hawaii and Private First Class Frank Ono who dice had limited their recognition, veterans fought in France and Italy. died in 1980. In 1944 in Italy he silenced of the 442nd and 100th persuaded U.S. Sen. One-third of the units’ enlistees volun- a machine gun, killed a sniper, de- Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, to sponsor 1996 leg- teered from Mainland relocation camps fended a position with hand grenades, islation that ordered a Pentagon search for where 110,000 Japanese Americans had been and helped rescue his wounded platoon Medal of Honor candidates among Asian interned by presidential order. At least four leader; a member of the 442nd Infantry. Americans and Pacific islanders. The law was patterned on an Army study of those named yesterday for the Medal of Sergeant Kazuo Otani of Rivers, Ari- Honor left the camps to go to war. zona, killed in action, multiple acts of that led to the 1997 award of Medals of Honor to seven black World War II soldiers. No The Asian-American units, which were bravery while his platoon was pinned blacks had won the medal during the war be- commanded by whites, were thrown into the down in an open field; a member of the cause of a biased ‘‘racial climate,’’ the Army thickest fighting. Casualties were heavy. 442nd. admitted. Their loss of 650 men killed and 8,836 wound- Private George Sakato of Denver, At least four of the Asian Americans ed marked the highest casualty percentage Colorado. His squad was pinned down named yesterday to receive the Medal of among Army formations. At the same time, the 442nd and 100th were in France. He led a charge that de- Honor were originally recommended for it by their commanders. They got the Distin- the most decorated units of their sizes in stroyed a stronghold; a member of the Army history. A partial medal count, up- 442nd Infantry. guished Service Cross instead. The Asian-American medal study provoked dated yesterday: 20 Medals of honor, 48 dis- Tech Sergeant Ted Tanouye, killed in controversy. When Army historian James tinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, action 2 months after his arrival in McNaughton described the project in 1998 to 4,000 Bronze Stars, 9,468 Purple Hearts. Italy. He led men to capture a hill, re- the Legion of Valor, a group whose members fused aid for a wound, then led a long- earned the Medal of Honor, Distinguished [From the Honolulu Advertiser, May 12, 2000] odds night attack to break a 2-day Ger- Service Cross, Navy Cross and Air Force PERSONAL GLORY WAS NEVER GOAL OF man resistance, member of the 442nd. Cross, he was beset with protests about race- JAPANESE-AMERICAN SOLDIERS And there was Captain Francis Wai, based ‘‘political correctness.’’ (By Mike Gordon) posthumously awarded for his actions Former Legion of Valor President Mike They fought for their country. They fought Gilroy now says: ‘‘I think there probably for the honor of Americans of Japanese an- of bravery in the fight for freedom in would be a concern about it being a politi- the Philippines. cestry. And they fought to win World War II cally motivated thing, but it needs to be and come home alive. Mr. Speaker, I do not consider these done.’’ acts of heroism as politically expe- They never fought for medals. The citations of those being upgraded But now the bravery of the 442nd Regi- dient. speak of astonishing acts of courage: enemy mental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Mr. Speaker, I include these two arti- machine guns and tanks silenced by men Battalion will be rewarded with the Medal of cles as part of the RECORD, these news- who charged at point-blank range; wounded Honor, decades after their battles became paper articles. comrades carried to safety through galling the stuff of Army legend. The articles referred to are as fol- fire. Now 19 more will forever be tied to the na- lows: HARD TO BELIEVE tion’s highest honor. [From the USA Today, May 12, 2000] The living recipients, making no claims of Shizuya Hayashi is 82, and the words and past discrimination, were quietly delighted the memories of that long-ago war come in 21 ON MEDAL OF HONOR LIST when aides to Army Secretary Louis Caldera fits and spurts. But in 1943, in Italy, the (By Martin Kasindorf) phoned them with the news. young private charged a German position President Clinton yesterday upgraded the ‘‘It was hard to believe it,’’ Shizuya and killed 20 enemy soldiers. He also took World War II decorations of 21 Asian-Amer- Hayashi, 82, of Pearl City said. ‘‘During the four prisoners. ican heroes to the coveted Medal of Honor, war, we didn’t think about medals. We just Next month the Pearl City resident will be including at least 10 men from Hawaii. wanted to do our job. I was surprised they at the White House for the special ceremony. For ethnic groups whose fighting ability gave us medals.’’ He’ll meet a president who wasn’t born until and even patriotism were once doubted by Under Akaka’s bill, the Army reconsidered after the war. the nation’s leaders, the action 55 years after 104 Asian Americans and Pacific islanders ‘‘It’s kind of surprising,’’ he said. ‘‘A lot of the war is the final stamp of commendation. who had won the Distinguished Service other boys deserve it, but they’re not here. Clinton signed documents accepting Pen- Cross. The Navy reopened the files of the sin- Those days, we didn’t think about medals. tagon recommendations of higher honors for gle Asian American who had won its equiva- You were there to do a job. It was something men who had received the Army’s second- lent medal, the Navy Cross. A Navy decora- you had to do. highest medal, the Distinguished Service tions board ruled that Cmdr. Gordon Chung- Barney Hajiro fought, too. He helped to Cross. Seven are still living. Eleven were hoon didn’t merit higher commendation. rescue the Lost Battalion, a Texas unit killed in action. Historians at the Army’s Presidio of Mon- trapped behind enemy lines. He was wounded Nineteen names on the list are those of terey in California unearthed the old cita- three times. Japanese Americans who fought in Europe tions of 47 Japanese Americans, one Korean On Tuesday, he got a telephone call from with the racially segregated 442nd Regi- American, one Hawaiian-Chinese America, 54 Washington, informing him of the medal. mental Combat Team or 100th Infantry Bat- Filipinos and one Filipino American. Davila, ‘‘I was thinking a long time ago about talion. Among those receiving the medal: who served in the Third Army in Europe, is this,’’ Hajiro said yesterday. ‘‘They turned U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, 75, who the lone Filipino American. me down, so I didn’t care. Then it came up

VerDate jul 14 2003 08:51 Sep 17, 2004 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\H15MY0.002 H15MY0 7888 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE May 15, 2000 again, and I said I would accept it for my he picked a wounded comrade’s rifle to hold some 6 million Jews has prompted the buddies who died in the war, not for myself.’’ off the advancing enemy with rifle grenades. cry, never again, never again. Like- U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye also is one of the Also throwing hand grenades, he forced an wise, I sincerely hope that the mass in- recipients. Inouye lost an arm during the enemy retreat. 100th. ternments on the basis of race will war. Pvt. Shinyei Nakamine, of Waianae. Killed ‘‘I am deeply grateful to my nation for this in action June 2, 1944, at age 24, while at- never again darken the history of this extraordinary award,’’ he said. ‘‘The making tacking machine-gun nests. 100th. great Nation. of a man involves many mentors. If I did Pfc. William Nakamura, killed by a sniper Mr. Speaker, to those that say, well, well, much of the credit should go to my par- on July 4, 1944, at Castellina, Italy, during a that occurred decades ago, I say, we ents and the gallant men of my platoon. This bitter firefight in which he pinned down Ger- must continue to be vigilant in guard- is their medal. I will receive it on their be- man gunmen to allow his platoon to with- ing against such evil today. half.’’ draw. 442nd. Not long ago we had the case of Ed Ichiyama, a veteran of the 442nd and Pfc. Joe Nishimoto, of Fresno, Calif., one of those who researched old military killed in action eight days after the heroism Bruce Yamashita, a Japanese Amer- documents to support the awards, said yes- of La Houssiere, France, for which he is hon- ican from Hawaii who was discharged terday that he feels like a new father. He is ored. Fiercely attacking alone, he forced from Marine Corps officer training pro- 76. enemy withdrawal and broke a three-day gram in an ugly display of racial re- ‘‘The AJAs left a legacy of valor, loyalty stalemate. 442nd scission. His superiors taunted him and self-sacrifice,’’ he said. ‘‘We like to Sgt. Alan Ohata, of Hawaii. He died in 1977. with ethnic slurs and told him, ‘‘We think we opened the door of opportunity Eight days off the ship to Europe, he and a don’t want your kind around here. Go slightly for succeeding generations.’’ companion advanced through fire and killed back to your own country.’’ He, too, plans to be in Washington for the at least 51 attacking Germans. 100th. ceremony, proud to honor his comrades liv- Tech. Sgt. Yukio Okutsu, Hilo. He de- b 2100 ing and dead. stroyed two machine-gun nests and captured The situation was made worse by the ‘‘To think these guys, in spite of their fear, a third at Mount Belvedere, Italy, in April did what they did, is simply awesome,’’ 1945, A bullet bounced off his helmet. 442nd. Commandant of the Marine Corps, a Ichiyama said, ‘‘I don’t know how they gen- Pfc. Frank Ono, who died in 1980. On July four star general, who appeared on erated the courage to do what they did.’’ 4, 1944, in Castellina. Italy, he silenced a ma- television’s ‘‘Sixty Minutes’’ and stat- chine gun, killed a sniper, defended a posi- ed, ‘‘Marine officers who are minorities [From the Honolulu Advertiser, May 12, 2000] tion with hand grenades and helped rescue do not shoot, swim or use compasses as MEDAL OF HONOR’S ROSTER OF WARTIME his wounded platoon leader. 442nd. well as white officers.’’ The Com- VALOR Sgt. Kazuo Otani, of Rivers, Ariz, killed in mandant later apologized for his re- action July 15, 1944, near Pieve di Santa These are the World War II winners of the Luce, Italy. For multiple acts of bravery marks, but it was a little too late. Distinguished Service Cross who were up- after his platoon was pinned down in an open After years of perseverance and ap- graded to the Medal of Honor by President field. 442nd peals, Mr. Yamashita was vindicated Clinton. In some instances, a more detailed Pvt. George Sakota, 79, of Denver. When after proving that he was the target of summary of actions was not available. Mem- his squad was pinned down at Biffointaine, bers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team vicious racial harassment during his France, in October 1944, he led a charge that or 100th Infantry Battalion are noted. officer training program. The Sec- destroyed a stronghold. 442nd. Staff Sgt. Rudolph Davila, 84, of Vista, retary of the Navy’s investigation into Tech. Sgt. Ted Tanouye, killed in action Calif. In the Army’s breakout from a beach- whether minorities were deliberately two months after July 1944 heroism in Italy. head on Anzio, Italy, in 1943, he single- He led men to capture a hill, refused aid for discouraged from becoming officers re- handedly saved 130 rifleman from German a wound, then led a long-odds night attack sulted in Bruce Yamashita receiving machine-gun fire by silencing several gun to break a two-day German resistance. 442nd. his commission as a captain in the Ma- positions. Capt. Francis Wai, posthumously, for ac- rine Corps. Pvt. Barney Hajiro, 82, of Waipahu. Charg- tions at Leyte, the Philippines, Oct. 20, 1944. ing uphill in eastern France in 1944, he de- I am also greatly disturbed, Mr. stroyed two German machine-gun nests and Mr. Speaker, these Asian Pacific Speaker, by events of recent years in- killed two snipers. 442nd. Americans paid their dues in blood to volving political campaign funding, Pvt. Mikio Hasemoto, Hawaii-born, killed protect our Nation from its enemy. It where the integrity of the Asian Pa- in action Dec. 1, 1943, at Cerasuolo, Italy. is a shameful black mark on the his- cific American community has been 100th tory of our country when the patriotic unfairly tarnished in the media for po- Pvt. Joe Hayashi, of Pasadena, Calif., litical contribution transgressions of a killed in action April 22, 1945. He led attacks survivors of the 100th Batallion and that took strategic hills near Tendola, Italy. 442nd Infantry returned to the United few. 442nd. States, many of these soldiers were re- I find this racial scapegoating to be Pvt. Shizuya Hayaski, 82, of Pearl City. In united with their parents, their broth- repugnant and morally objectionable. a charge with his automatic rifle near ers and sisters and loved ones who were At least I find this quite objectionable, Cerasuolo, Italy, in 1943, he killed nearly 20 locked up behind barbed wire fences, Mr. Speaker. Playing up fears of the Germans and took four prisoners. 100th. living in concentration camps. Asian connection serves to alienate the 2nd Lt. Daniel Inouye, 75, now a U.S. sen- Members might be interested to Asian Pacific Americans from partici- ator. In April 1945 he destroyed three Ger- pating in our political process. More- man machine-gun positions, staying on the know that our colleagues, the gen- field to direct his troops after his right arm tleman from California (Mr. MATSUI) over, this negative reporting acts to was shattered by an enemy grenade. 442nd. and former Congressman, Mr. Mineta, marginalize Asian Pacific American Tech. Sgt. Yieki Kobashigawa, 82, of were children of these concentration political empowerment at a time when Waianae. Near Lanuvio, Italy, on June 2, camps. we are coming of age in American poli- 1944, he and a companion destroyed two Ger- The wholesale and arbitrary abolish- tics. man machine-gun defense emplacements. ment of the constitutional rights of Perhaps these attacks are a conven- 100th. these hypothetical Japanese Americans ient way to ostracize a growing Amer- Staff Sgt. Robert Kuroda, medal awarded posthumously for actions on Oct. 20, 1944, at will forever serve as a reminder and ican political force. When mainstream Bruyeres, France. 442nd. testament that this must never be al- Americans raise money for political Pfc. Kaoru Moto, of Makawao, Maui, who lowed to occur again, Mr. Speaker. purposes, it is called gaining political died in 1992. Alone, we wiped out a machine- When this miscarriage of justice un- power; but when Asian Pacific Ameri- gun nest and later crawled 100 yards under folded in World War II, Americans of cans begin to participate, we are ac- fire to capture prisoners. 100th. German and Italian ancestry were not cused of being foreigners trying to in- Pfc. Kiyoshi Muranaga, killed in action similarly jailed en masse. Some declare filtrate the mainstream of our Nation’s June 26, 1944. His mortar fire forced the Ger- the incident as an example of outright political system. On this note, Mr. mans to withdraw an 88mm howitzer threat- ening his platoon. A shell from the German racism and bigotry in its ugliest form. Speaker, remember the Oklahoma City gun killed him. 442nd. After viewing the Holocaust Museum bombing incident? Americans of Arab Pvt. Masato Nakae, Hawaii. He died in recently in Washington, Mr. Speaker, I descent or Arab Americans were imme- 1998. When his submachine gun was damaged, understand better why the genocide of diately targeted and investigated as

VerDate jul 14 2003 08:51 Sep 17, 2004 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR00\H15MY0.002 H15MY0 May 15, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 7889 terrorists by local and Federal law en- ognize the diverse experiences and con- portation problems in getting back to forcement agencies. Mr. Speaker, I sub- tributions of the Asian Pacific Amer- Washington, DC. mit it is wrong, and this type of nega- ican community to our great Nation, I Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma (at the re- tive stereotyping must not continue. hope that we all take inspiration from quest of Mr. ARMEY) for today, on ac- This is nothing new, Mr. Speaker. them. count of illness in the family. One need only look at the history of When I envision America, Mr. Speak- Mr. SCHAFFER (at the request of Mr. this country to see that scapegoating er, I do not see a melting pot designed ARMEY) for today, on account of offi- of Asian Pacific Americans as for- to reduce and remove racial dif- cial business. eigners has been used as an excuse to ferences. The America I see is a bril- Mrs. WILSON (at the request of Mr. burn down Asian Pacific communities liant rainbow, a rainbow of ethnicities ARMEY) for today, on account of offi- in the 1880s and deny Asian Pacific and cultures, with each people proudly cial business. Americans the right to own land, contributing in their own distinctive f marry our own kind, and practice and unique way. SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED many professions in the early 1900s. I submit, Mr. Speaker, I did not have Today, in a time of heightened ten- to be categorized as a Pacific Island By unanimous consent, permission to sion between the United States and the American or Chinese American or address the House, following the legis- People’s Republic of China, many Asian American or black American. I lative program and any special orders Asian Pacific Americans question do not hear anybody calling themselves heretofore entered, was granted to: whether the same issue of racial French Americans or British Ameri- (The following Members (at the re- scapegoating are being raised again in cans or European Americans. quest of Mrs. TAUSCHER) to revise and the case of Taiwanese American sci- Asian Pacific Americans wish to find extend their remarks and include ex- entists Wen-ho Lee. As my colleagues a just and equitable place in our soci- traneous material:) may know, Mr. Speaker, Dr. Lee is the ety that will allow them, like all Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, for 5 minutes, target of a heavy-handed Federal pros- Americans, to grow, to succeed, to today. ecution for the alleged crime of mis- achieve, and to contribute to the ad- Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, for 5 min- handling classified materials while vancement of this great Nation. utes, today. working in Los Alamos National Lab. Mr. Speaker, I would like to close my Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. After 3 years, Mr. Speaker, after a 3- remarks this evening by asking, what (The following Members (at the re- year FBI investigation, however, there is America all about? What is this quest of Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) to revise is no evidence that Dr. Lee disclosed great Nation all about? I think it could and extend their remarks and include classified information, and he, in fact, not have been said better than on the extraneous material:) has not been charged with espionage. steps of the Lincoln Memorial on that Mr. PAUL, for 5 minutes, today. While Dr. Lee is in jail in manacles summer day in 1963 when a black min- Mr. JONES of North Carolina, for 5 and held in solitary confinement, ister by the name of Dr. Martin Luther minutes, today. former CIA Director John Deutsch, King, Jr., said, ‘‘I have a dream. My Mr. COMBEST, for 5 minutes, on May who similarly mishandled classified dream is that one day my children will 16. materials by accessing files through an be judged, not by the color of their Mr. SIMPSON, for 5 minutes, on May unsecured home computer connected to skin, but by the content of their char- 16. the Internet, was left off with a slap of acter.’’ Mr. WALDEN of Oregon, for 5 minutes, on May 16. the wrist. f Mr. Speaker, the double standard and f LEAVE OF ABSENCE selective prosecution has not gone un- BILL PRESENTED TO THE noticed. Asian Pacific American re- By unanimous consent, leave of ab- PRESIDENT searchers employed at the U.S. Na- sence was granted to: tional Labs report that they work in a Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin (at the re- Mr. THOMAS, from the Committee climate of fear and paranoia. As one quest of Mr. GEPHARDT) for today, on on House Administration, reported Taiwanese American scientist stated, account of personal business. that that committee did on the fol- ‘‘They want us to be Americans and Mr. BECERRA (at the request of Mr. lowing date present to the President, work in their defense labs, but they GEPHARDT) for today, on account of of- for his approval, a bill of the House of never treat us as Americans. They al- ficial business. the following title: ways treat us like foreigners, like Chi- Mr. ABERCROMBIE (at the request of On Thursday, May 11, 2000: nese.’’ Mr. GEPHARDT) for today, on account of H.R. 2412. To designate the Federal build- Mr. Speaker, incidents like these personal reasons. ing and United States courthouse located at 1300 South Harrison Street in Fort Wayne, sadden me. To protect America’s great- Ms. BERKLEY (at the request of Mr. Indiana, as the ‘‘E. Ross Adair Federal Build- ness, we should all be sensitive to the GEPHARDT) for today, on account of an ing and United States Courthouse. fact that full acceptance of and demo- airline cancellation. f cratic participation by people of all Mr. MCNULTY (at the request of Mr. races and backgrounds, including Asian GEPHARDT) for today and Tuesday, May ADJOURNMENT Pacific Americans, is crucial to our 16, on account of attending the state Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, Nation’s health and vitality. convention. I move that the House do now adjourn. I think the cases of Dr. Bruce Mr. STUPAK (at the request of Mr. The motion was agreed to; accord- Yamashita and Dr. Wen-ho Lee, and GEPHARDT) for today and the balance of ingly (at 9 o’clock and 07 minutes the hysteria surrounding Asian Pacific the week, on account of personal rea- p.m.), under its previous order, the American contributions, bear implica- sons. House adjourned until tomorrow, Tues- tions, not just for the military, the Mr. UNDERWOOD (at the request of day, May 16, 2000, at 9 a.m., for morn- government, and the media, but for our Mr. GEPHARDT) for today and Tuesday, ing hour debates. society as a whole. It asks the ques- May 16, on account of official business. f tion, how long do we have to endure Mr. VENTO (at the request of Mr. the attitude of those who consider GEPHARDT) for today, on account of EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, Asian Pacific Americans and other mi- health reasons. ETC. norities as lesser Americans? Mrs. CHENOWETH-HAGE (at the re- Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive I applaud Dr. Yamashita and others quest of Mr. ARMEY) for today, on ac- communications were taken from the like him who have spoken out to en- count of travel delays. Speaker’s table and referred as follows: sure that racial discrimination is not Mr. ENGLISH (at the request of Mr. 7574. A letter from the Regulatory Liaison, tolerated. During this month as we rec- ARMEY) for today, on account of trans- Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards

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