A Tribute to Iris S. Chang
November 26, 2004
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Iris Chang, a courageous historian, author and champion of Asian and Asian American history, human rights, and historical redress. During her brief yet remarkable professional career, Iris touched the lives of countless people, shedding light on past injustices and atrocities that had been forgotten or ignored. In her personal life, she was a loving wife and mother, a close friend and an inspiration to many. Iris is survived by her husband, Dr. Brett Douglas; her son, Christopher Douglas; her parents, Shau-Jin and Ying-Ying Chang; and her brother, Michael Chang.
Iris Shun-Ru Chang was born on March 28, 1968, in Princeton, New Jersey. She studied journalism at the University of Illinois and received her master’s in science writing from Johns Hopkins University. While at Johns Hopkins, Iris was commissioned to research the life of Tsien Hsue-Shen [Qian Xueshen], a Chinese American scientist who was deported to China during the communist scare of the 1960s and subsequently founded China’s ballistics program. Her research led to her critically acclaimed debut Thread of the Silkworm, which addressed the paranoia and racism of the McCarthy era.
As a historian and an activist, Iris fought passionately for historical justice and reconciliation. Her book The Rape of Nanking chronicled the horrific capture of Nanking during Japan’s invasion of China in 1937 and was instrumental in educating the international community about Japanese military atrocities during World War II — human rights violations that had gone unwritten and unacknowledged for decades. Her efforts to seek redress for the crimes at Nanking brought her in conflict with the Japanese government and communities worldwide, but Iris was unwavering in her commitment to justice and truth.
In addition to her books, which decried social and historical injustices against the Asian and Asian American communities in the United States and internationally, Iris was also a member of the Committee of 100, a national nonpartisan organization of Chinese American leaders who work to address issues important to the Chinese American community. For her work, she earned the Peace and International Cooperation Award from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and was named Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women.
Iris will be remembered for her work and service to the community. Certainly, the millions of people whom she touched through her writings and her activism will not forget the moral vision she brought on past injustices to the international community and the public impact of her work in promoting peace between peoples of differing races and backgrounds. Her fierce pride in her Chinese American heritage empowered others with the certainty that they were truly Americans despite their ancestry. Our community has lost a role model and close friend; the world has lost one of its finest and most passionate advocates of social and historical justice.
Editor’s Note: Congressman Michael Honda, a leader in seeking reparations and accountability for victims of World War II atrocities, entered this tribute into the Congressional Record on Nov. 17, 2004.
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