Whereas many Chinese people came to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries, as did people from other countries, in search of the opportunity to create a better life; Whereas the contributions of Chinese Americans in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transportation, canning, and other industries were critical to shaping the history of the United States and strengthening the United States in the present; Whereas Chinese people faced racial ostracism and violent assaults in the United States from the middle of the 19th century through the early 20th century, and Chinese people continue to experience anti-Asian hate in the present; Whereas, on October 19, 1868, the United States ratified the Burlingame Treaty, which permitted the free movement of Chinese people to, from, and within the United States, and made China a most favored nation ; Whereas, in 1878, Congress introduced a joint resolution requesting that President Rutherford B. Hayes renegotiate the Burlingame Treaty so Congress could limit Chinese immigration to the United States; Whereas, on February 22, 1879, Congress passed the Fifteen Passenger Bill , which would have only permitted 15 Chinese passengers on board any ship traveling to the United States; Whereas, on March 1, 1879, President Hayes vetoed the Fifteen Passenger Bill as being incompatible with the Burlingame Treaty; Whereas, on May 9, 1881, the United States ratified the Angell Treaty, which— (1) allowed the United States to suspend, but not to prohibit, the immigration of Chinese laborers; (2) declared that Chinese laborers who are now in the United States shall be allowed to go and come of their own free will ; and (3) reaffirmed that Chinese persons possessed all the rights, privileges, immunities, and exemptions which are accorded to the citizens and subjects of the most favored nation