Americans today are enjoying the freedom and liberty secured by myriad contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans. During World War II, more than 20,000 Chinese-Americans served in the armed forces. At least 25,000 Japanese-Americans trained as interpreters and translators for the Army's military intelligence service. Filipino-Americans and Korean-Americans also formed smaller units for the nation's war effort.

In 1943, the War Department authorized the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit of Japanese-Americans. President Roosevelt announced the formation of the 442nd with the famous words, "Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race or ancestry." A year after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, the unit was assigned to rescue 275 men who were trapped in France's Vosges mountains. The regiment "cracked" the enemy line, but lost 30 percent of its men.

The War Department declared this battle one of the most heroic in World War II history. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was one of the most decorated units in military history, receiving more than 18,000 medals.

After the war, veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat continued to serve their country; two in particular, Senator Daniel K. Inouye and Senator Spark Matsunaga, were elected to the United States Congress. The Asian and Pacific heroes of the 442nd fought valiantly to protect and preserve the liberty of this great nation. In fact, it is the pursuit of opportunity that attracted these veterans to America in the first place.

Today, Asians and Pacific Islanders from countries around the world continue to come to America to derive the benefits of our free society and to pursue their most treasured dreams and ambitions. One such Asian-American was Dr. Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-American to travel into space. Chawla was born in Karnal, India, and her life story is an American dream come true. She became a naturalized American citizen, and pursued her dream of becoming an astronaut, earning several advanced degrees in aeronautical engineering and aerospace engineering.

As a member of Columbia's space shuttle crew, Chawla was responsible for maneuvering Columbia as part of several experiments performed in the shuttle's payload bay. During Chawla's last mission, she focused her efforts on recording how the weightless environment of space affects various physical processes.

On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia was lost during its re-entry into Earth;s atmosphere. Despite the loss of the spaceship Columbia and its crewmembers, Chawla's contributions and efforts will be remembered, and her legacy will serve as an example for all young Americans.

These are but a few of the countless contributions that Asian and Pacific Americans have made to our nation. Asian and Pacific Americans have immeasurably enriched the fabric of America, and their contributions will continue to ensure that America remains free and proud.