Senate Approves Resolution Condemning Prejudice Against Asian Pacific Americans
July 28, 2000

Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate last night approved by unanimous consent a resolution, sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), condemning all prejudice against individuals of Asian and Pacific Island ancestry in the United States and calling upon all executive agencies to act within their respective jurisdictions in accordance with existing civil rights laws.

“I am extremely pleased that the Senate has passed this resolution in light of the allegations of espionage and illegal campaign financing that have called into question the loyalty of Asian Pacific Americans,” Senator Feinstein said. “This action sends a strong message that we will not condone prejudice against the Asian American community.”

Asian Pacific Americans have been subject to discrimination and unfounded accusations of disloyalty throughout the history of the United States, including:

• In the 1800s and continuing through the turn of the century, when people of Asian and Pacific Island ancestry were prohibited from owning property, voting, testifying in court, or attending school with other people in the United States;
• The Chinese Exclusion of Act of 1882, which prohibited the immigration of Chinese to the United States;
• A 1913 California law that prohibited persons ineligible for citizenship from owning land;
• The repatriation of Filipino immigrants in 1935; and
• The internment of individuals of Japanese ancestry during World War II.

The House passed similar legislation, sponsored by Rep. David Wu (D-OR), last year.