FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dawn Crawford, media@aasforum.org, 720-231-1930
The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is proud to congratulate four distinguished Asian American scholars—Drs. Gang Chen, Anming Hu, Franklin Tao, and Xiaoxing Xi—on receiving the prestigious 2024 American Courage Award from Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. These four scholars will accept the award tonight on behalf of the Asian American scholar community at the 2024 American Courage Awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The award celebrates their resilience, leadership, and steadfast commitment to Asian American freedom and civil rights in the face of adversity. Past recipients have included the Honorable Julie A. Su, the Honorable Mazie K. Hirono, Vanita Gupta, Japanese American MIS Veterans, and other courageous Americans and immigrants.
These Asian American scientists and scholars stand as a testament to the remarkable bravery of the Asian American scholar community in defending civil rights and liberties and promoting justice, especially amid challenges unique to the Asian American scholar community. Their recognition reflects their tireless advocacy for fair treatment and the importance of academic freedom.
“I am truly honored to receive this award, especially considering that my own PhD advisor, former UC Berkeley Chancellor Chang-Lin Tien, was the inaugural recipient,” said Dr. Gang Chen, Director of the MIT Pappalardo Micro/Nano Engineering Laboratory and AASF Board member. “This recognition is bittersweet, as it brings to mind the many scientists who have been wrongfully prosecuted by our government. Sadly, some politicians choose to ignore history and disregard the truth, as seen in the current push by the House to relaunch the China Initiative. We must unite and stand against this.”
“The courage demonstrated by Drs. Gang Chen, Anming Hu, Franklin Tao, and Xiaoxing Xi in the face of unjust scrutiny highlights the ongoing need to protect the civil rights of Asian Americans, particularly those in academia. We are proud to see these Asian American scholars recognized and honored for their fearlessness and public service. They truly represent the spirit and courage of the Asian American scholar community, and AASF will continue to be dedicated to advocating and advancing the rights of Asian Americans and the broader scholar community. We thank President and Executive Director John C. Yang and our friends at Advancing Justice | AAJC for continuing to lift up and partner with the Asian American Scholar Forum to give a voice to this community,” said Gisela Kusakawa, Executive Director of the Asian American Scholar Forum.
Dr. Anming Hu shared his thoughts: “Malicious prosecution targeting Chinese American scientists is a short-sighted approach that undermines the foundation of this country’s leadership in science and technology. We can only become stronger as a nation if we learn from these mistakes and ensure that such injustices never happen to anyone again.”
Dr. Franklin Tao commented: “I have faced extraordinary challenges in recent years due to a significant prosecutorial overreach by the government, driven by racial profiling. After a legal battle lasting 4 to 5 years, I was fully exonerated in July 2024, with all charges found to be baseless and expunged. Despite the strain and ordeal of this very difficult period, I remained fully dedicated to my scientific work and stayed current with the latest developments in my field. I highly appreciate the Asian American Scholar Forum for its significant commitment to justice while Asian American scientists are facing racial profiling and wrongful prosecution.”
Dr. Xiaoxing Xi stated: “We did not do anything wrong. We were simply doing our job as university professors. Yet, we became victims of the government’s discriminatory policies. This can happen to anyone of Chinese descent, in any profession. The only way to prevent this, or even worse, like what the Japanese experienced in World War II, is for everyone to speak up and fight back. This is our right and our obligation.”
About the American Courage Awards
The American Courage Awards are hosted annually by Advancing Justice – AAJC to honor individuals and organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to civil rights. The awards highlight leaders, activists, and innovators who have taken significant stands to support justice and equality.
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Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is a national non-profit that promotes academic belonging, openness, freedom, and equality for all. In response to heightened anti-Asian sentiments and profiling in the U.S., AASF has been a leading national voice fighting for the rights of Asian American and immigrant scientists, researchers, and scholars. AASF membership includes members from the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Science, and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, in addition to past and current university presidents, provosts, vice provosts, deans, associate deans, and past and current department chairs.
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