The Chinese Historical Society of America congratulates Judge Edward Chen, on the occasion of his September 27, 2011 induction ceremony at the US District Court, Northern District of California. Judge Chen becomes the first Chinese American Article III Judge in the Court’s 150-year history.
It is particularly meaningful that Ed Chen has been confirmed to sit on this court. Throughout a certain period of Chinese immigration to the United States—especially in light of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Geary Act in 1892, and Alien Land Law of 1913—the judges of this San Francisco court continually upheld the civil rights of Chinese Americans. It is fitting that after all these years, a Chinese American would ascend to this historically significant post.
CHSA recently honored Judge Chen at its Voice & Vision Gala on September 17, 2011.
Senator Dianne Feinstein, who was instrumental in Judge Chen’s confirmation by the Senate, recorded this special message for the Gala:
A video produced for the Gala highlights Judge Chen’s appointment in the context of the Court’s history in dealing with immigration and human rights cases pertaining to the Asian American community. Watch this original CHSA production here: