2021 Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Program Book

MESSAGE FROM
U.S. SENATOR MAZIE K. HIRONO
In honor of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance
Boston Lodge’s New England Regional
Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony
October 16, 2021
Aloha and welcome to all of you attending the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston
Lodge’s New England Regional Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony.
During World War II, more than 18,000 Chinese Americans bravely answered the call to action
and risked their lives to defend this country. At the same time, these courageous service
members faced discrimination back home, and when they returned from the war, their
contributions were not adequately or appropriately recognized, as is too often the case for
minority service members.
Today marks a step in the right direction as we honor our living veterans, and the families of
those who are no longer with us. I am proud to have been a lead co-sponsor of the Chinese
American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) Act in 2018, and I am glad
to see the law turn into action and celebration as we are finally able to honor the distinguished
service of these heroes.
Mahalo to the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston Lodge for putting on this event and
honoring these veterans today. To all the medal recipients and families commemorating this
momentous occasion, I join a grateful nation in thanking you for your service to our country.
Aloha,
A
Mazie K. Hirono
United States Senator
October 16, 2021
Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston Lodge
21 Edinboro Street
Boston, MA 02111
Dear Friends,
It is with great enthusiasm that I extend a warm welcome to those gathered at
the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston Lodge for the 2021 New
England Regional Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony. It is my honor
to congratulate the heroic Chinese American men and women being recognized today for their brave service
in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II.
Today’s ceremony is especially meaningful to me because my father, Judson Chu, served in the Army
during World War II as a Radio Communications Sergeant in Okinawa. He was one of the 20,000 Chinese
Americans who signed up to serve in World War II despite facing gross racial discrimination at home,
including the hateful Chinese Exclusion Act that remained in place until 1943. It is long overdue that we
recognize the tremendous patriotism, courage, and sacrifice of our Chinese American World War II
veterans, which is why I worked with my Congressional colleagues to pass the Chinese American World
War II Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act into law. To those being honored today, I share the thanks
of a grateful nation. You have earned this honor, and I join with your families and communities when I say
that you make us all proud.
I would also like to thank the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston Lodge for hosting today’s
ceremony and for their ongoing leadership and hard work to empower Chinese Americans. Since its
founding in 1895, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance has been instrumental in advocating for the civil
rights and well-being of Chinese Americans across the nation.
On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the people of California’s 27 th Congressional
District, I again extend my congratulations and deep gratitude to the Chinese American veterans being
honored today for their service to our country during World War II.
Sincerely,
JUDY CHU, Ph.D.
Member of Congress, 27 th District