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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7270 RESOLUTION NO. 7270 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, COMMEMORATING SENATE BILL 5.1050, THE CHINESE-AMERICAN WORLD WAR II VETERAN CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT WHEREAS, on December 20, 2018, President Trump signed into law Senate Bill S.1050, titled the Chinese-American World War II Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act, ordering the creation of the medal to recognize the Chinese Americans who volunteered or were drafted in WWII when the Chinese Exclusion Act was in place; and WHEREAS, as many as 20,000 Chinese-Americans served in the US Armed Forces during the war, of which approximately 40 percent were not United States citizens due to the laws that denied citizenship to persons of Chinese descent. Chinese nationals and Chinese-Americans faced institutional discrimination in the United States before World War II, limiting the size of their populations and their ability to build thriving communities in the United States; and WHEREAS, Chinese-Americans served in the United States in every conflict since the Civil War, and distinguished themselves in World War II, serving in every theater of war and every branch of service, earning citations for their heroism and honorable service, including the Medal of Honor; and WHEREAS, Chinese-Americans, although small in numbers, made important contributions to the World War II effort; and WHEREAS, of the total number of Chinese-Americans serving, approximately 25 percent served in the United States Army Air Force, with some sent to the China-Burma- India Theater with the 14th Air Service Group; and 1 WHEREAS, Chinese-American women served in the Women's Army Corps, the Army Air Forces, and the United States Naval Reserve Women's Reserve. Some of the women became pilots, air traffic controllers, flight trainers, weather forecasters, occupational therapists, and nurses; and WHEREAS, Chinese-Americans earned Combat Infantry Badges, Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Medal of Honor; and WHEREAS, the United States remains forever indebted to the dedication, bravery, and valor that the Chinese-American Veterans displayed; and WHEREAS, the commitment and sacrifice of Chinese-Americans demonstrates a highly uncommon and commendable sense of honor and patriotism in the face of discrimination; and WHEREAS, following the award of the gold medal in honor of the Chinese- American Veterans of World War II, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institute, where it shall be available for display as appropriate and made available for research; and WHEREAS, the Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress; and WHEREAS, the Chinese-American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act is the result of a national campaign organized by the Chinese American Citizens Alliances ("CACA"), also known as the Chinese-American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. 2 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Mayor, or presiding officer, is hereby authorized to affix his or her signature to this Resolution signifying its adoption by the City Council of the City of Arcadia, and the City Clerk, or his or her duly appointed deputy, is directed to attest thereto. SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. Passed, approved and adopted this 16th day of July, 2019. i M„r of the City of Arcadia ATTEST: Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: 1,. C Stephen P. Deitsch City Attorney 3 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS: CITY OF ARCADIA ) I, GENE GLASCO, City Clerk of the City of Arcadia, hereby certifies that the foregoing Resolution No. 7270 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arcadia, signed by the Mayor and attested to by the City Clerk at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 16th day of July, 2019 and that said Resolution was adopted by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Beck, Chandler, Tay, and Verlato NOES: None ABSENT: Amundson / Cit Clerk o Ire City of Arcadia 4