(NAME-MCE) Honoring Asian American Service in Civil War

[Anselmo Villanueva]

OCA LAUDS HOUSE DECISION TO HONOR ASIAN AMERICAN SERVICE IN CIVIL WAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
31 July 2008

CONTACTS

Hope Chu | Senior Communications Manager
202 223 5500 |   hchu at ocanational.org

Sarah Smith | Communications Manager
202 223 5500 |   ssmith at ocanational.org

OCA LAUDS HOUSE DECISION TO HONOR ASIAN AMERICAN SERVICE IN CIVIL WAR

WASHINGTON DC - OCA, a national Asian Pacific American organization with
over 80 chapters and college affiliates around the country, applauded the
decision of the US House of Representatives to recognize Asian Pacific
Americans who served in the US Civil War.

Historians have uncovered documentation of APAs serving during the Civil War
on both sides, in both the Army and the Navy. Because of discrimination and
laws such as the Naturalization Act of 1870 and the Chinese Exclusion Act of
1882, many of these soldiers were denied US citizenship, pensions, and
benefits, even after their service. HR 415 will honor two men of Chinese
ancestry, Edward Day Cohota and Joseph L. Pierce, who fought in the Civil
War.

"Asian Pacific Americans have struggled to have our contributions
recognized. This resolution highlights the participation of APAs in one of
the most iconic times in US history," said Ginny Gong, OCA National
President. "OCA thanks the House of Representatives, and especially the
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus under the leadership of
Representative Mike Honda (D-CA), for their action, which will ensure that
the history of Asians in America is remembered fully and correctly."

"HR 415 is the result of years of effort by many individuals to bring
recognition and justice for these soldiers," said Michael C Lin, OCA
Executive Director. "In addition to the continued efforts to gain full
recognition and benefits for Filipino soldiers serving under US command
during World War II, this measure will continue to establish Asian Pacific
Americans as an integral and important part of US history."

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Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA is a national
organization dedicated to the social, political, and economic well-being of
Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.