Temple Attorney: Asian Under Attack

Aired September 4, 1997

BRIAN SUN, ATTORNEY FOR HSI LAI TEMPLE: Asian-Americans certainly are not the only ethnic group to donate money, yet other groups have not been subjected to the same suspicion and scrutiny. The Asian community in America has not received equal treatment or respect, which is contrary to the American spirit of equality and righteousness.

As members of the Fo Kwang Sho Order, we urge this committee to understand that our outreach to prominent leaders of this country is part of our goal of expanding and propagating Buddhist ideals. This extension of our friendship has been misperceived and is not designed in any way to foster a political agenda or to subvert the American political process.

We fervently support this committee in its efforts to improve existing laws, but we hope you will not fall prey to the unwarranted and unfounded speculation that Asian-Americans and the disciples of Buddhism have sinister objectives in their interaction with the American political process.

There is an unfortunate history in this country of discrimination and mistreatment of Asian-Americans. We urge you to investigate these political fundraising issues vigorously, but not to foster the fear that Asian-Americans -- and particularly Chinese-Americans -- necessarily are the tools of foreign governments, such as the People's Republic of China.

Such stereotypical assumptions can only do great disservice to the millions of Asian-Americans who contribute to the greatness of America. We hope you will stand with us in resisting such pressures and join with us in working together to combat such misplaced and misguided thoughts."

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Tuesday Sept. 9, 1997

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