On July 17, 2009, the California State legislature passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 42 (ACR 42), formally apologizing for the past actions of the State in California in encouraging and passing discriminatory laws against Chinese Americans. These discriminatory legal policies were later adopted by many of the western states following the legal language and example set by California. Pressure from these states was a main factor in the adoption of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 into federal law and subsequent discriminatory federal laws that eliminated all but a trickle of Chinese immigration to the United States. These restrictions on Chinese immigration only ended with the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 that eliminated all national immigration quotas.

The resolution was introduced in the California State Assembly by Assemblyman Paul Fong of Mountain View. Our intern, Emily Lin, a student at Mills High School in Millbrae, California, had the chance to ask Assemblyman Fong some questions about ACR 42.

Paul Fong (PF): ACR 42 acknowledges the history of Chinese in California and apologizes for past discriminatory laws that resulted in the persecution of Chinese living in California.

EL: Why - what inspired it?

PF: California is an academic, economic, and cultural powerhouse known around the world. It is the diversity of our state that has played a key role in California's success. However, behind the many accomplishments, California has a shadow of shame, a history of racism and discrimination, which many have attempted to forget. Acknowledging our past wrongs will allow us to avoid repeating them in the future.

Before I became a State Assemblymember, I was a Political Science Professor for 30 years and specialized in Asian American Studies. I know the history of Asian Americans in the United States well. Now that I am in Sacramento, I have the ability to educate future generations about the importance of history and add another chapter to the history books about California.

EL: Why does the bill only address Chinese Americans and not address the related injustices that were done to other Asian American communities?

PF: There has never been an effort to apologize to the Chinese community. ACR 42 will be the first formal recognition of the state's cruel and discriminatory laws. These laws enacted by California's legislature led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882-the first (federal) law that targeted a specific group of people. So it is time to apologize to Chinese Americans for singling out their ancestors with unjust laws - including my ancestors.

EL: What's the significance of this legislation?

PF: With the election of President Barack Obama, there may be a temptation to believe that discrimination is no longer a problem in 2009. However, the pain of discrimination is still felt in America by many, including Chinese Americans, who are still subjected to racism and negative stereotyping. ACR 42 acknowledges the past discriminatory practices against Chinese Americans as an important step to address the current forms of discrimination against not only Chinese Americans, but all Americans.

Furthermore, beyond an apology, ACR 42 provides education and awareness to all Californians about the anti-immigrant sentiments that existed not only in the past, but still persist to this day.

By expressing regret for and acknowledging the discriminatory actions taken in the past, the Legislature reaffirms its commitment to preserving the rights of all people.

As the text of ACR 42 states, "ours is a state with an imperfect history where intolerance spurred the enactment of unjust discriminatory laws that have too often denied minority groups access to the promise of America, that all men are created equal. Today that struggle continues, and learning from our past will help enable us to travel further down the path toward building a more perfect Union."

EL: Going forward, what's next?

PF: I will be seeking introduction of a Resolution at the Federal level to apologize to Chinese Americans for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. I was waiting for ACR 42 to be chaptered into law first, and now that it has, I will begin seeking support from the federal government.

EL: What events inspired you to create and pass this legislation? Is there any personal experience or family background that encouraged you to do this?

During the 19th and 20th Centuries, California enacted some of the most discriminatory laws and Constitutional provisions, directly persecuting Chinese living in California and the incoming Chinese immigrants.

Our Legislature denied Chinese the right to own property, work, testify in court, and marry persons of their choosing. It was our California government that pushed Congress to adopt the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the first federal law ever passed barring a group of immigrants solely on the basis of race or nationality - a law that directly impacted my family.

During this time, my grandfather was held at Angel Island for two months before being allowed access into California. Trying to establish his life in the state, my grandfather was forced to lease land to begin his floral business. He was denied the ability to own property.

However, despite the many barriers placed on Chinese Americans by our government, Chinese in California have made vast contributions to the state. They constructed most of the western leg of the Transcontinental Railroad, helped build our Delta levees, and assisted in the success of our fishing and agricultural industries, making California the great state it is today.

EL: What is your opinion of the status of the Chinese American Community today? How do these past injustices hold us back and why did we need this legislation?

PF: The Chinese American Community today is thriving and successful. However, discrimination is still a problem.

Like any wound that goes unattended, the pain, though perhaps diminished, still exists. ACR 42 seeks to right the wrongs of our past by acknowledging, not only the discriminatory laws that were in effect, but also the many contributions Chinese Americans have made to the state.

EL: What is the affect of this legislation for Chinese Americans?

PF: ACR 42 is a formal apology to Chinese Americans for past discrimination. This is an important first step in healing old wounds. In addition, ACR 42 will serve as an educational tool to ensure that our children are aware that the contributions the Chinese American community made encouraged the development of California and enriched its history.

EL: What practical good does this legislation (apology) do?

PF: I hope to accomplish several things with this formal apology. The apology is symbolic of California's, and hopefully the nation's acknowledgement of a long history of wrongdoing against Chinese-Americans. In the 19th century and 20th Century (until WWII), many discriminatory laws were passed against Chinese Americans. For example, Chinese couldn't own land, own weapons, and were blocked from public school and employment. Chinese were declared as dangerous, and by law, could be exiled from communities. Not until we apologize and recognize these wrongs can we move forward as a state and a nation. The objective of ACR 42 is not to seek financial compensation, but rather to open up a dialogue about an era of our history that has been suppressed, and to educate Californians about this history.

EL: What are some of the steps and actions we have to take to achieve higher status? What do we lack that keeps the Chinese Community from stepping forward? How do you foresee the future of the Chinese community?

PF: As a student I fought to keep ethnic studies courses in the curriculum. As a professor, I taught the next generation of students about Chinese American history and culture. As an Assemblymember, I'm paving the way for future Asian American legislators. I encourage the Chinese and other Asian communities to speak up for representation and fight to keep history alive. By using our voices, Chinese Americans can have strong representation and respect.

EL: What are some of the further actions you are considering? I read an article that said you are considering the funding of a monument. Why not spend that money and time on getting our schoolbooks and curriculum changed to include more Asian American history?

PF: I am currently pushing for federal legislation that would offer an apology for the passage of the Chinese Exclusionary Act of 1882. In addition, I strongly advocate for getting our school's history curriculum to include the injustices against Chinese Americans. In the same way the injustices against Native Americans, African Americans, and Japanese Americans are included, the past Chinese American experience must be taught as well.

EL: You're interested in getting federal legislation passed that apologizes for the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. What do you hope to accomplish with this action?

PF: The Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the other great documents which set forth the core values of America are inspirations, aspirations that can only be given meaning with exercise and effort. ACR 42 opens a dialogue to discuss racism and discrimination. My hope is that the nation will join the conversation and applaud the passage of ACR 42.

EL: Thank you very much Assemblymember Fong.