Nearly 80 years ago this week, more than 2,400 Americans were killed in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, propelling America into World War II and changing the course of history. In the aftermath of that infamous day, Americans of all backgrounds stepped forward to defend our nation. Despite decades of systemic racism, discrimination and xenophobia, as many as 20,000 Chinese Americans bravely answered the call to serve to defeat tyranny and safeguard freedom for all.

Shamefully, due to the hateful laws of the time, Chinese immigrants were unable to gain U.S. citizenship. Still, in the face of this injustice, approximately 8,000 Chinese immigrants who were denied their rights, proudly served. The patriotic Chinese Americans who served hailed from every state in the union, served in every branch of the U.S. military and courageously fought in every theater of the war. And wherever they served, their heroism helped secure victory for the allies and advance the promise of liberty for people around the world.

Please join me for a virtual Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in honor of the Chinese American World War II Veterans on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 12 pm PT. Click here to join!

Today, with fewer than 300 Chinese American veterans of the Greatest Generation remaining, it is more important than ever that we honor their service and remember their sacrifice. We pay tribute to our Chinese American veterans not only as defenders of democracy, but as an inseparable part of the fabric of our country.

best regards, Nancy Pelosi