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CAPAC Members Release Statements on Withholding of Report Regarding Japanese American Internment Cases

May 31, 2011

CAPAC Members Release Statements on Withholding of Report Regarding Japanese American Internment Cases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) today released the following statements in response to Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal’s admission that a military report was withheld from the Supreme Court by former Solicitor General Charles Fahy that stated Japanese Americans were not a threat in World War II.

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32), CAPAC Chair: “The news that Charles Fahy deliberately withheld information that concluded the Japanese Americans on the West Coast did not pose a military threat is a travesty of transparency and justice. Because of Fahy’s actions, Japanese Americans were ripped away from their homes and families and placed in prison camps. I strongly commend the courage Acting Solicitor General Kaytal for admitting the mistakes of his predecessor, and shining a light on this dark place in our history and apologizing on behalf of the United States Department of Justice.”

Rep. Mike Honda(CA-15), CAPAC Chair Emeritus: “As one of the 110,000 Japanese Americans who were forced into internment camps during World War II, I applaud Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal’s admission of his predecessors’ misconduct in their defense of Executive Order 9066.   While it has since been proven that Japanese Americans did not constitute a military threat, the extent to which top government officials went to skirt the constitution in order to incarcerate tens of thousands of American families is still coming out.  The misinformed few who still argue that the internment was justified should learn from this long overdue admission.  With his comments, Acting Solicitor General Katyal returned the dignity, professionalism, and respect to his office that his predecessors trampled on nearly 70 years ago—and for that I thank him.”

Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-5): "Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal has confirmed what we have known for almost 60 years, that Japanese-Americans were not a threat to the United States in World War II. Japanese-American citizens, just as all immigrants to this country, have a deep sense of patriotism and love for our country.  Hundreds of Japanese-Americans bravely served in World War II while their friends and families were interned.  To unilaterally strip thousands of Americans of their rights will forever be a scar on our nation's history and serve as a pressing reminder about how we must always stand up for our constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties."
 

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently Chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.