Madeleine Bordallo: “I rise in support of H.R. 4469, the Angel Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation Act and I want to…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4469, the Angel Island Immigration Station Restoration and Preservation Act and I want to thank Congresswoman Woolsey for spearheading this effort to preserve this historic landmark. The Angel Island Immigration Station is important to our country's immigration history. Considered the 'Ellis Island of the West' it was originally built as a detention center to enforce the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which limited immigration on the basis of nationality and race. Immigrants from China and other parts of Asia who were sent to the station for processing were treated far differently from immigrants arriving at Ellis Island. Often the Asian immigrants, particularly the Chinese, were subjected to extended periods of detention and isolation and which often resulted in denial of entry. During their detention, many would carve poems and drawings into the walls of their barracks, giving voice to their anger and frustration and providing first hand accounts of Asian immigrant struggles to reach America. It is these voices that H.R. 4469 seeks to preserve, and in doing so, honor their painful journey. Mr. Speaker, each May we honor the contributions of Asian Americans to our Nation. We have come a long way since Angel Island, but we cannot forget what it took to bring us to this point. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4469 to ensure that the experiences of these immigrants will be remembered.”