CAPAC Members, Congressional Leaders Mark Day of Remembrance for Japanese Internment

WASHINGTON, DC – February 19, 2012, marks the 70th anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of over 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry during World War II.  Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and Congressional leaders have released the following statements to observe the Day of Remembrance:

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32), CAPAC Chair: “This February 19th, we mark 70 years since the day the United States government revoked the basic rights and freedoms of groups of American citizens based solely on their ethnic heritage.  Executive Order 9066 put in place an unconscionable policy that upended American families and imprisoned them in internment camps because of fears about who they were, not evidence of what they had actually done.  The Day of Remembrance is a time for us to reflect on how fragile justice can be, and serves as a reminder that we must always be vigilant in defending our civil and Constitutional rights.”

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (CA-08), Democratic Leader: “On this Day of Remembrance, let us reflect on the injustices suffered by Japanese Americans during one of the darkest periods in our nation’s history and renew our commitment to fight for the justice and equality that define our democracy. Together, we must protect and defend the civil liberties on which our nation was founded, and ensure a brighter, more vibrant future for all Americans.”

Senator Daniel Akaka (HI): “Our nation must never forget the dark chapters of our history.  Although specifically targeting Japanese Americans, this Executive Order spread prejudice across our nation and cast unwarranted suspicion on our neighbors in Asian American, German American and Italian American communities.  Sadly, Hawaii shares in this history, with five camps and an estimated 1,440 interned in the islands.  On this Day of Remembrance, let us pause in a somber reflection of the mistreatment of our own citizens, and pledge to never let this injustice repeat itself.”

Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15), CAPAC Chair Emeritus: “It has been seventy years since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066.  The order stripped 120,000 innocent Japanese Americans of our constitutional rights through forced relocation to internment camps.  A result of the "race prejudice, war hysteria and a failure of political leadership" at the time, EO 9066 forced my family to live behind the towers and barbed wire of the Amache internment camp in Colorado.  I was less than one year old at the time.   

“On this day of remembrance, I honor the bravery of two men, Fred Korematsu and Gordon Hirabayashi, who stood firmly by their convictions and simply refused to comply with EO 9066.  Beyond today’s recollection, we must continue to reflect on the fierce and urgent necessity of justice and equality, to educate others on lessons learned, and to always remember the sacrifices that individuals like Fred and Gordon made to protect the rights of future generations to come.” 

Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus:  “Seventy years ago today, with the stroke of a pen, thousands of American men, women and children of Japanese descent were uprooted from their homes and their lives to be placed in internment camps. We must never forget this grave injustice and make every effort to ensure it happens never again.”

Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (GU), CAPAC Vice Chair: "Today, we remember the women, children, and men whose civil rights were suspended during World War II. Executive Order 9066 forced thousands of Japanese Americans into internment camps and it marks a bleak point in our nation’s history—one marked by racial prejudice and wartime hysteria.  Despite our best efforts, racial discrimination continues to exist in our country.  As we commemorate those Japanese Americans who were wrongfully detained by Executive Order 9066, we reflect on importance of our civil rights, and how best to preserve them."

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01), CAPAC Whip: “Both of my grandfathers were interned during World War II, and stories of their experiences were a part of my upbringing. Today is a reminder of the errors we can make, despite our best intentions, when we allow ourselves to be controlled by fear and hate. We as a nation are better than that. While I would like to think that such actions are behind us—that we have achieved a level of caring and mutual respect that render unthinkable the prospect of judging an entire race or group unworthy of our protection—I know that it is up to each of us to remain vigilant and speak for those who have no voice.”

Rep. Mazie K. Hirono (HI-02), CAPAC Education Taskforce Chair: “While this 70th anniversary marks a dark time in American history, we can learn much from the mistakes of the past. Although Hawaii didn’t experience the wholesale round-up of Japanese Americans as did the U.S. west coast, we did have our own internment camps, which most people in Hawaii don’t even know existed. I am proud to have worked with Senator Inouye to authorize a study to determine how best to tell the story of the Honouliuli Internment Camp in Central Oahu. America has again and again demonstrated the ability to acknowledge and learn from its mistakes. By engaging with this history, we can make sure we are a nation made stronger by our diversity, not weaker.”

Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05):  “The Day of Remembrance is a solemn reminder of one of the atrocities of our nation’s past.  Japanese internment was a direct attack on human dignity that severely undermined the individual rights and freedoms upon which our country was founded.  This day helps serve as a reminder that we can still learn from the injustices of the past, and work to ensure that they are never repeated.”

Rep. Howard Berman (CA-28): “As one who fought for and helped to improve the law that granted reparations to interned Japanese-Americans, I can attest to how far we have come in redressing this dark moment in our nation’s past. On this Day of Remembrance, let us renew our commitment to those who suffered and acknowledge the lasting impact that the wrongful internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII has on their heritage."

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-16): “When we look back on this chapter in our history, it serves as a warning to protect Americans from unjust and unconstitutional attacks against our freedom based on racial bigotry or fears.  But as we mark this day, we should also proudly celebrate the courage of Japanese Americans who served their country in the face of injustice during World War II, and for their contributions in the decades that have followed.”

Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09):  “Today, we honor thousands of Japanese Americans and individuals of Japanese descent who were unjustly imprisoned during World War II. We acknowledge the courage and dignity these Americans demonstrated during one of the most nefarious acts in our country’s history.  As we learn from our past, it is important to remember the rich contributions Japanese Americans have made to our communities.  We should also use this day to reflect and remember the type of society we strive to be - one where fear never overshadows our principles or where prejudice leads us to deny justice rather than seek it.”

Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-12): “Seventy years ago, over 120,000 Japanese Americans were ordered incarcerated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his Executive Order 9066. Roughly 8,000 of those who were forced to leave their homes were first sent to live in the stables, grandstands, and makeshift barracks at the Tanforan Racetrack before being moved to internment camps. Tanforan is in my district and though currently a shopping mall, still on its grounds is a Japanese garden honoring those who were interned, including the 65 babies who were born in the stables. On this anniversary, let us recommit to our shared values of justice and equality so that we do not deprive others of their freedom and dignity as we did so many decades ago.”

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-08): “Today we pause to mark the unjust internment of Japanese families during World War II.  It was one of our nation’s darkest hours – one we will never forget.  We must recommit ourselves to ensuring that such inhumane treatment never be allowed to happen again.”

Background:

EO 9066 authorized and facilitated the wholesale removal of US citizens and "enemy aliens" of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast and led to their incarceration in Wartime Relocation Authority camps.  It also created an individual exclusion program that allowed the Army to move naturalized citizens of German and Italian descent from military areas across the country.  These individuals were wrongfully detained on no other basis than their heritage; none were found guilty of the sabotage and espionage charges against them.

The Day of Remembrance, observed annually on February 19th, serves not only to bring awareness to the Japanese American experience, but the experiences of all who were wrongfully detained during World War II, and to highlight the social and political discourse that led to the unjust captivity for so many innocent men, women and children. 

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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.