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
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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.
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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
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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
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