Letters to the Editor

September 28, 2000

Organization of Chinese Americans Applauds Decision to Release Wen Ho Lee

Editor’s Note: The following press statement was issued via mass e-mail.

Dear Editor: The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) is pleased that Judge James Parker has reviewed the evidence and has concluded that Dr. Lee should be released on bail pending his trial.

“Even though Lee will be required to remain at home under surveillance, this is much better than solitary confinement. We will continue to monitor the situation and push for Lee’s right to due process and a fair trial,” said Winnie Tang of OCA’s South Florida chapter.

Victor Hsi, vice president of public affairs for OCA, noted that, “OCA has long argued that the case against Lee has been heavily influenced by biased media coverage, political partisanship, and attempts by investigative agencies to find a scapegoat for lax security procedures at the Department of Energy. In a recent amicus brief submitted to the court by the Asian Law Caucus and to which OCA is one of eight co-parties, we cited a number of actions as well as testimony from witnesses that indicate that Lee was selected for prosecution in part due to his identity as a Chinese American.”

Prior to last week’s bail hearing, OCA submitted to Judge Parker petitions signed by thousands of people around the country calling for fair treatment for Lee and his release on bail.

Testimony by government investigators admitting that they made erroneous statements about Dr. Lee’s actions at an earlier bail hearing were particularly troubling.

“Had government witnesses presented their testimony objectively and accurately from the outset, Lee might not have had to suffer eight months of harsh, solitary confinement.” said Leo Lee of OCA’s New York Chapter. “Judge Parker’s decision has gone a long way in restoring our faith in the judicial system.”

“We are happy that Lee will have the opportunity to go home to await and prepare for trial rather than having to endure further incarceration in a jail cell. OCA will continue to act to insure that Lee receives a fair trial and that he has not been singled out for prosecution simply because he is a Chinese American,” stated George Ong, OCA President.

The Organization of Chinese Americans is a national civil rights and advocacy group focusing on issues of importance to Chinese and Asian Americans. We are headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit our website at: www.ocanatl.org.

OCA

via the Internet

Asking for Assistance to Find Estranged Brother

Editor’s Note: The following letter was published in the

Nichi Bei Times.

Dear Editor: My name is Christine Hilton Milburn. I am searching for a missing sibling (Edward Hilton) who is of Japanese descent.

Edward was born in November 1950 in Yokohama, Japan. Our father, also named Edward Hilton, was an American GI stationed there. He and Edward’s mother (perhaps named Mickey) were married for several years.

Our father came back to the United States in 1952-1953. I know from the family that he requested that his wife and son return with him. For unknown reasons, however, they didn’t.

In the mid-1960s before our father passed away, he heard that Mickey had remarried and moved to the United States with her new American GI husband and her son, Edward.

Our father died in 1965 and with his untimely death all the memories of my brother vanished.

On May 5, 1999 I was told for the first time in my life of my brother. I have contacted embassies and local government officials here in the United States as well as lawyers in Japan. No one, however, has answered my letters.

I have exhausted all the resources available to me.

Edward is 49 years old now and may not be aware that he has five younger siblings. At the present time, I am the oldest of child. But I wouldn’t mind stepping down if I found my brother.

I don’t know if he would be completely overjoyed to learn he has five younger brothers and sisters. He may not even want to know us. However, I think he isn’t aware we exist. We may have been kept a secret from him.

The past is water under the bridge. Now, I only care about finding my brother. If anyone knows anything about Edward’s whereabouts, please contact me: 3405 Newark Rd., Marion N.Y., 14505. 315-926-0089.

Christine Hilton Milburn

Marion, N.Y.

List Missed ‘N Touch

Dear Editor:

On weekends there is almost always a line waiting to enter ‘N Touch. Where else can one find a dance floor filled with Asian Americans ready and eager to find an Asian Americanpartner?

European Americans make up only a small percentage of the patrons, and there is karaoke one night a week. Check it out.

Steve Lum

San Francisco

Correction

In “Dem. Resources for You,” (Aug. 10) the address given for the Chinese American Democratic Club (CADC) was incorrect. CADC’s correct address is 706 Sacramento St., PMB 134, San Francisco, Calif., 94108.

Written by AsianWeek Staff · Filed Under Letters to the Editor

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