Lynn C. Woolsey: “I rise to speak on H.R. 606, out of order. I was working patiently at my desk. I flew in on the red eye so that I could…”

“I rise to speak on H.R. 606, out of order. I was working patiently at my desk. I flew in on the red eye so that I could talk about Angel Island and how wonderful it is. And I want to thank the ranking members of this committee for making this possible for me, and allowing the consideration of a piece of legislation that is very important to my district, the San Francisco Bay area, and to Asian Americans throughout the United States. As you know, I have worked for the past 3 years with the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and the gentlewoman from California (Leader Pelosi) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) in an effort to preserve the historic Angel Island Immigration Station. It is located just east of Sausalito in the San Francisco Bay. Sausalito is in my district, California's 6th Congressional District. This landmark is a particular high priority because of what it means to Asian Americans nationwide. Many of you are familiar, all of us are familiar with the symbolism of Ellis Island to European Americans. The same feelings of legacy and pride can be equated to the Americans of Asian heritage on the west coast. In fact, Angel Island was the first American soil most Asian immigrants stepped on. With over one million people having been processed through the sites, millions of Asians and Asian descendents nationwide are eager to see their roots in this country honored in the same way that we honor Ellis Island.…”