U.S. Rep. Scott Peters recognized Sheppard Mullin and Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego ("PALSD") with a proclamation honoring PALSD and Sheppard Mullin on behalf of the constituents of the 50th Congressional District of the state of California. The proclamation was presented at a screening of "In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee" in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, organized by Sheppard Mullin associate James Hurt, a Korean adoptee and a member of the board of directors of PALSD.
"Now therefore, be it resolved that on this month, the month of May in the year 2024, that the Pan-Asian Lawyers of San Diego and Sheppard Mullin be honored on behalf of the constituents of the 50th Congressional District of the State of California for their advocacy on behalf of the AAPI community and their contributions to the community as a whole," the certificate said.
Peters honored the firm and PALSD at an event held on May 10, 2024. The event presented the award-winning documentary "In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee," which documents the filmmaker's journey to find out why her identity was switched before being sent to America for her adoption. The movie follows filmmaker, Deann Borshay Liem, as she returns to Korea to find her "double" and raises questions about the history and ethics of international adoption from South Korea. A panel discussion followed featuring Korean American adoptees, their stories and hopes to raise awareness for the Equal Citizenship for Children Act of 2023 / Adoptee Citizenship Act, and South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Committee's investigation into possible human rights violations linked to South Korea's past military governments, including the widespread falsification of children's origins to make them "adoptable."
Additional resources regarding the legislation and how you can help are below:
Equal Citizenship for Children Act Introduced in Congress - Adoptees United