Here's the text of an e-mail we just received from City Council Member John Liu 's office:
Dear Friend,
Unbelievably, Texas State Representative Betty Brown suggested, at a hearing of the Texas House of Representatives, that Asian Americans should "adopt a name just for identification purposes that was easier for Americans to deal with".
You just can't make this stuff up. Maybe Rep. Brown was simply on the wrong page of the calendar; April Fool's Day was actually last week.
Still, we don't know whether to laugh or to cry.
Attached below are links to news reports and the letter CM Liu fired off to Rep. Brown.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Moore
Office of Council Member John Liu
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NEW YORK NEWSDAY: "NYC councilman demands apology by Texas lawmaker" - 4/9/09 <
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--councilman-texasl0409apr09,0,4863634.story >EXCERPT - New York City Councilman John C. Liu is demanding an apology from a Texas state lawmaker.
In a letter to Brown sent Thursday, Liu called on her to either apologize or resign.
"It's outrageous and insulting for you to suggest it would 'behoove'
us to adopt another name, to give up our birthright and a part of our own identity, in order to exercise our right to vote," he said.
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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
<
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/04/10/2009-04-10_councilman_john_liu_demands_apology_from_texas_lawmaker_who_says_asians_should_c.html >---
NEW YORK POST
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http://breakingnews.nypost.com/dynamic/stories/N/NY_COUNCILMAN_TEXAS_LAWMAKER_BAOL-?SITE=NYNYP&SECTION=HOME >---
WNBC Channel 4 New York
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http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Liu-Demands-Apoology-from-Texas-Pol-for-Asian-Name-Flap.html >---
KHOU Channel 11 Houston
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http://www.khou.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D97FC6P04.html >---
WOAI Channel 4 San Antonio
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http://www.woai.com/news/state/story/NYC-councilman-demands-apology-by-Texas-lawmaker/wgyH0FJkiUSMfqOLx4886A.cspx >---
KSLA News 12 Shreveport
<
http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=10161455 >---
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
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http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D97FC6P04.html >---
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6367411.html >---
ALBANY TIMES UNION
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http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=788905 >---
ONE INDIA NEWS
http://news.oneindia.in/2009/04/10/asianamericans-blast-texas-congressmans-call-for-easierna.html# # #
The text of Liu's letter to Brown follows:
April 9, 2009
Representative Betty Brown
Texas House of Representatives
Room E1.404, Capitol Extension
Austin, TX 78701
RE: Suggestion to adopt new names
Dear Representative Brown:
Like many Asian Americans, I am proud to be a citizen of the United States. We are indeed American, regardless of whether our names sound or are "American enough" for you. It is outrageous and insulting for you to suggest it would "behoove" us to adopt another name, to give up our birthright and a part of our own identity, in order to exercise our right to vote.
Considering certain people as second-class citizens who don't necessarily "fit" into a particular gender, race, sexuality or socioeconomic status is perhaps an America of the past. Here in the 21st century, Americans are proud of the advancement we have made in ensuring equal opportunities for all people, regardless of background.
Judge us not by our names, but by the content of our character and civic participation.
Your disappointing comments today were not only offensive and out-of touch, but indeed "un-American" by contradicting everything our country stands for. Perhaps it would indeed behoove the great State of Texas to boast of a legislature with honorable elected officials who are not obstacles toward equal opportunity and democratic participation. I urge you to either issue a formal apology for your misguided comments or resign immediately.
Sincerely,
John C. Liu