California recently celebrated their first Chinese American Day. It is the first official recognition of Chinese Americans by a state legislature.
According to Davis Enterprise, the celebration on October 23 began with music and Chinese lion and dragon dances. It included almost 1000 attendees that gathered on Capitol Building’s West Steps in Sacramento.
Among those who spoke were World War II veteran Herbert Yee, who shared the history of discrimination against Chinese Americans, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Despite this, he said, Chinese Americans fought for America in many wars. After Yee risked his life fighting for this country, he still was denied the right to purchase a home in Sacramento.
“”With diligence, loyalty, a sense of gratitude, and an enduring belief in the American dream, Chinese immigrants contributed to American society in many areas, including academia, science, technology, education, business, finance, arts, entertainment, and public service,” said the State Assembly in a resolution last month, reported Xinhua Net.
Resolution No. 121 listed numerous accomplishments by Chinese Americans starting with the building of the Transcontinental Railroad to Gary Locke becoming Governor of Washington, United States Secretary of Commerce, and United States Ambassador to China.
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“I hope the celebrations will help promote unity among various Chinese communities in the United States, and provide an opportunity for Chinese Americans to work as a non-government force to bolster China-U.S. friendship and deepen their cooperation,” Roger Zhang of the Greater Shanghai Alliance of America said, according to Xinhua Net.
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