CC - 2019-20 - Commemorating Senate Bill S-1050, The Chinese-American WWII Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act RESOLUTION NO.2019-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA, COMMEMORATING
SENATE BILL S-1050,THE CHINESE-AMERICAN WORLD
WAR II VETERAN CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT
The City Council of the City of Rosemead does resolve as follows:
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 still in place; and
WHEREAS, as many as 20,000 Chinese Americans served in the U.S. 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 population and their ability to build thriving communities in the United States; and
WHEREAS,Chinese Americans served 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 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. The remainder of the Chinese Americans who served in World War II served
in all branches of the Ahmed Forces in all theaters of war; and
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 therapist,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 the Chinese-American
Veterans of World War II, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, 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 Alliance
(C.A.C.A.) known as the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
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 Rosemead,
and the City Clerk, or his duly appointed deputy, is directed to attest thereto; and
SECTION 2. This Resolution takes effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED ON THIS 23RD DAY OF APRIL 2019.
Margaret Clark, Mayor
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Sandra Armenta, Mayor Pro Tern Sean Dang, Council Member
Polly Low, Council Member Steven Ly, Council Member
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
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Rachel Richman, City Attorney Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) §
CITY OF ROSEMEAD )
I,Ericka Hernandez,City Clerk of the City Council of the City of Rosemead,California,do hereby
certify that the foregoing City Council Resolution, No. 2019-20, was duly adopted by the City
Council of the City of Rosemead, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 23`d day of
April, 2019, by the following vote,to wit:
AYES: ARMENTA, CLARK, DANG, LOW, LY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Ericka Hernandez, City Clerk