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劉雲萍設宴感謝家鄉人支持 再三強調華裔從政的重要

    12月底,現任加州53選區州民主黨眾議員劉雲萍先生(Ted Lieu),帶着他的太太Betty和倆個兒子前往克里夫蘭看望雙親,在回家看父母同時,劉雲萍不忘家鄉人對他多年來的支持,于29日晩上,在阿唐海鮮城,宴請了克里夫蘭新老朋友八十多人。十分感謝劉雲萍先生,他的開場白就肯定了華報爲克里夫蘭華人做了不少貢獻,同時也希望在他競選時給他做宣傳。
    劉雲萍先生在歡迎詞中表示:華裔應該多關注美國的政治,亞裔參政還不夠積極,會使許多美國人忽視亞裔在美國主流社會的存在,華裔參政可以說不僅象徵著華人能夠在美國發出更大的聲音,同時也標志著華人能夠參與到美國的民主建制中來,施展華人的才華和智慧。只要我們有夢有追求,他孩子的這一代就有希望去競選總統。他還説,現在美國沒有女士競選總統,也許下一屆就會有。我們期待劉雲萍在政治舞臺上更上一層樓,就拿克里夫蘭原美華協會主席邢永瑞先生説的話來勉勵所有華裔:如果劉雲萍要參與議員競選,我們克里夫蘭的華人要支持他,同時我們還要號召全美國華人扶持他。
 以下是劉雲萍先生給伊利華報讀者的信
　

"Dear Friends,
As we start the new year, now would be an appropriate time to reflect on our community’s progress, both in the past and as we look out into the future. In just the last few years, the Asian and Chinese American community have made tremendous strides. For the first time in our nation’s history, we have a Chinese American member of the President’s Cabinet -- Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. And it is not just in politics that Asian and Chinese Americans have made great strides, but rather, it is occurring at all levels in our society. The contributions today are a continuation of the contributions our ancestors made to America .
However, the Asian and Chinese American community still has a long way to go. Even though there are over 13 million Asian Pacific Americans (“APAs”) in the United States , APAs are underrepresented at numerous levels in society. For example, APAs are grossly underrepresented in the boardrooms of Fortune 500 corporations: only 1% have Asian Americans on its boards. APAs are also underrepresented in the partnerships of most law firms and at virtually every level of elected politics.
Within the continental United States , there are zero federal APA Senators and only one Chinese American out of 435 members in the House of Representatives. There are zero United States Supreme Court Justices of Asian American descent.
One of the reasons I believe Asian Americans as a whole are underrepresented in key sectors of our society is because of an obstacle that I define as the “foreigner syndrome.” Part of this syndrome stemmed from official government acts. It was only 60 some years ago that the federal Chinese Exclusion Act was still in effect.
Part of this syndrome is based on societal discrimination. I am certain that, like me, many Chinese Americans have encountered situations where we are viewed as being a foreigner, or somehow as being less American. For instance, nice people have told me that I speak good English and mean people have told me to go back to my country. Several years ago, I was at an awards ceremony where I was wearing my blue Air Force uniform. A lady came up to me and asked, politely, whether I was in the Chinese Air Force. Even though I was wearing Air Force blue, all this person could see was my yellow skin and the shape of my eyes, and from that her initial perception was that I was not American.
This foreigner syndrome is more than just an annoyance that crops up in our lives every now and then—it has very real and malicious effects. From the Yellow Peril hysteria earlier in our century to the internment of hundreds of thousands of Japanese Americans in World War II, this foreigner syndrome has justified taking away the liberty of thousands of American citizens of Asian descent. As long as this foreigner syndrome continues to persist, Asian Americans will not be able to fully realize their aspirations and dreams.
I believe the best way to combat this foreigner syndrome is to have Asian and Chinese Americans become more involved at all levels of American society. Many of us can do this right now. We can challenge those who hold discriminatory views. Write a letter to the editor or call your elected official’s office when you see something outrageous. Join the PTA. Join your homeowners association. Support elected officials that share your views.
One of the easiest and most important things you can do is to register to vote and to get your family members registered to vote. In the 2000 presidential election, the state of New Mexico was decided by less than 400 voters. There are more than 5,000 APA registered voters in New Mexico . In Florida , the vote was ultimately decided by less than 540 votes. There are more than 100,000 APA registered voters in Florida .
Let me conclude by thanking the Erie Chinese Journal for all that it has done for the Chinese American community. I also want to thank my friends and family, especially those in the Ohio area, for their support. May all of you have a wonderful and happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Ted W. Lieu

California State Representative
53rd Assembly District
email: ted.lieu@asm.ca.gov"