Recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in the spirit of Frederick Douglass, whose vision of freedom was never narrow and never timid.

It was in 1869, as anti-Chinese hatred was rising in America, Frederick Douglass delivered his great speech, ``Our Composite National.'' He stood against the spirit that would produce the Chinese Exclusion Act and declared: ``A liberal and brotherly welcome to all who are likely to come to the United States is the only wise policy which this Nation can adopt.''

Douglass knew that America's strength was in inclusion, not exclusion. He said: ``I want a home here not only for the Negro, the mulatto, and the Latin races, but I want the Asiatic to find a home here in the United States.''

That was moral courage. That was historical clarity. And that is the truth we must carry today.

Asian Americans have helped build this country, defended this country, and have enriched this great country. Yet, they have faced exclusion, violence, suspicion, and injustice.

This month, we do more than celebrate. We remember. We recommit. We reject anti-Asian hate and xenophobia.

As Douglass said: ``A smile or a tear has no nationality.''

Let us build this composite nation he envisioned: just, inclusive, and free.

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