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Bush Extols Asians

May 17, 2008

georgebush.jpgCites their contributions to US
WASHINGTON D.C. - President George W. Bush May 1 thanked Asian Pacific Americans for “helping make America a better place” and “loving our country the way you do.”
The President made these remarks as he opened the month-long celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the White House. “And so during Asia Pacific American Heritage Month, we thank you all for helping make America a better place. We thank you for loving our country the way you do. Thank you for being great contributors to the life of our fellow citizens,” Bush said.
In his speech, the President singled out for praise Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, former Secretary Norman Mineta, members of Congress, the military, diplomats and veterans who were present at the celebration. Also present were members of the diplomatic corps and members of his administration.
He said the more 15 million Americans who claim Asian or Pacific ancestry make America ’s culture more vibrant, and we’re a better place — and a
more lively place, I might add — from Songkran celebrations in Los
Angeles to Chinese New Year parties in Chicago to Diwali festivals right
here at the White House.
The President continued: “Asian Pacific Americans make our country more competitive. It turns out there’s a great entrepreneurial streak that runs throughout the citizens whom we honor today. Small business owners all over America are creating new jobs and are living the dream. They enrich America because of their love for America .
He singled out the contribution of Japanese Americans who were recruited from the internment camps in the US to form the famous 442 Regimental Combat Team which served with distinction during World War II. This unit was one of the most decorated, suffered heavy casualties and rescued a US battalion which trapped by the Germans in Eastern France.
The President made no mention of the Filipino soldiers who fought with American troops to repel the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War II.
Turning to national security, the President said the formation of a security group involving more than 80 countries, including many from the Asia Pacific region, which is aimed at stopping the shipment of the world’s most
dangerous weapons.
This is a quest for security and freedom, and we’re working with nations all throughout the world, including those in the Asian Pacific region, to protect our peoples from the true threats of the 21st century. “We’re working with Pakistan and Indonesia and Malaysia and the Philippines and other partners - and
Singapore and other partners — to dismantle terrorist networks and to
combat the ideology of the extremists.”
Other excerpts from the President’s speech:
“Many Asians have settled in this country after fleeing oppressive
regimes. They looked at America as a hopeful place. They include the
Boat People of Vietnam, men and women who escaped the Killing Fields of
Cambodia, those who endured the Cultural Revolution in China , and
victims of the regime in North Korea .
“America must always remember that we are a place of hope and freedom for
people who live in oppressive societies. Throughout the Asian American
community, there is a special appreciation of liberty known only to
those who have been denied it. If you’ve been denied freedom, if
freedom is something you long for, you understand how to treasure it.
Asian Americans are committed to advancing the cause of freedom — I
can’t thank you enough for that — both in their ancestral nations, and
in our own.

“Together we work to expand economic freedom and prosperity in the Asian
Pacific region. It’s in our interest that we enter to trading
agreements with nations throughout the world, starting with South Korea.
I negotiated a free trade agreement last June with South Korea.”

“You can always defeat an ideology of hate with an ideology of hope, and
there’s nothing more hopeful than a system based upon human rights and
human dignity and a system based upon the freedom for people to worship
and speak their minds freely.

“We’re working with India to promote democracy and the peace it yields
throughout the continent. We’re working together to extend the hope of
liberty throughout Asia . I know you share my concerns about the
situation in Tibet . I welcome the recent statements by the Chinese
government expressing its willingness to meet with representatives of
the Dalai Lama — precisely what I have suggested President Hu Jintao
do. I think it’s important that there be a renewed dialogue, and that
dialogue must be substantive so we can address the real way — can
address in a real way the deep and legitimate concerns of the Tibetan
people.

“In Burma , the brutal military regime continues to reject the clear will
of the Burmese people to live under leaders of their own choosing. So
over the past eight months, my administration has tightened sanctions on
the regime. We’ve imposed visa bans on the junta’s generals and their
families and their cronies, trying to send a clear message — and we
hope the rest of the world follows as well. Today I’ve issued a new
executive order that instructs the Treasury Department to freeze the
assets of Burmese state-owned companies that are major sources of funds
that prop up the junta. These companies, in industries such as gems and
timber, exploit the labor of the downtrodden Burmese people, but enrich
only the generals.

“And today I’m sending yet another clear message, that we expect there to
be change and we expect these generals to honor the will of the people.”

“We’re working together to strengthen our partnership with Japan , which
is really one of the great success stories of freedom. Six decades ago,
my dad fought the Japanese. They were the sworn enemy of the United
States of America . And now his son sits down with the Prime Ministers
of Japan talking about how to keep the peace. Isn’t that interesting?
What a great irony it is, that the father served to fight, and the son
serves to work with the Prime Minister of the former enemy to keep the
peace. Freedom is transformative. Freedom and democracy are powerful
instruments of change.”
Earlier, President George W. Bush issued a proclamation declaring May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. He highlighted the Asian Pacific Americans’ importance to the nation saying “they have contributed much to our nation” and have “made our country better with their talents and hard work.”
Bush specifically said “Their values and commitment to family and community have helped shape and strengthen America. These citizens speak many languages, honor countless traditions, and practice different faiths, but they are bound by a shared commitment to freedom and liberty. The diversity among Asian/Pacific Americans adds to the cultural fabric of our society.”
“We especially honor those Asian/Pacific Americans who have answered the call to protect the cause of freedom by serving in our Armed Forces. These brave men and women set a powerful example for all Americans,” he said.
To honor their achievements and contributions, Bush said “we are reminded of the richness of the Asian and Pacific cultures. Asian/Pacific Americans enhance the American experience and contribute to our country’s legacy of diversity.

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