RAFU SHIMPO: MITSUYE ENDO POSTHUMOUSLY RECEIVES PRESIDENTIAL CITIZENS MEDAL
President Biden has named 20 recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal, including the late Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi.
The medal is awarded to U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. President Biden believes these Americans are bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others. The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice.
The awards were presented at the White House on Jan. 2, with Wayne Tsutsumi accepting on behalf of his mother.
“In a shameful chapter in our nation’s history, Mitsuye Endo was incarcerated alongside more than 120,000 Japanese Americans,” the White House said in a statement. “Undaunted, she challenged the injustice and reached the Supreme Court. Her resolve allowed thousands of Japanese Americans to return home and rebuild their lives, reminding us that we are a nation that stands for freedom for all.”
The Japanese American Citizens League said in a statement, “As it was with JACL’s urging that Endo brought forth her case, we have long advocated for presidential recognition of Endo for her actions, including passing a National Council resolution in 2014.
“We thank President Biden for acknowledging and recognizing such a monumental case and the woman behind it all …
“This award is especially fitting, as several weeks ago was the 80th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Ex Parte Endo to bring an end to the incarceration and allow Japanese Americans to return to the West Coast. This anniversary was commemorated in Congress by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) …
“In addition to Sen. Hirono, we recognize that it has been several Japanese American women who have led the advocacy for recognizing Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi including, but not limited to, Deputy Assistant to the President and AANHPI Senior Liaison Erika Moritsugu, the Endo Presidential Medal of Freedom Committee leadership Peggy Nagae and Kathryn Bannai, and former JACL Executive Director Priscilla Ouchida.
“We once again thank President Biden and the many members of the Japanese American community for their ongoing efforts in fighting for recognition of Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi’s contribution to the Japanese American community and of her place in American history.” Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) said, “Mitsuye Endo Tsutsumi lived an exceptional life. Her commitment to seek justice validated the most American of ideas – that any of us, ordinary Americans, hold enormous power to have an extraordinary impact through our actions and our willingness to stand up for what is right.
“Mitsuye was a Sacramento native, graduating from Sacramento High School and eventually finding her way to a clerical job with the State of California. When Executive Order 9066 was signed, she and her family were sent to the Tule Lake, Calif., and Topaz, Utah, detention camps.
“At a time when the most angry, fearful currents of our nation held enormous power, she stepped forward to put a face and a story to the unlawful internment of Japanese Americans. Her courage stood as a beacon against her community’s wrongful incarceration. When it seemed as though the American pledge and ideal of liberty and justice for all was subject to the whims of a powerful few, she refused to back down. Her victory in the Supreme Court was a catalyst to end that dark chapter of our history.
“Our nation’s path toward justice has not always been straight or easy. We have had to navigate vast challenges to make our country more equitable and more free. That’s why Mitsuye’s story should be told and retold. It’s a story of strength and resilience. It’s a story of justice and principle. I thank President Biden for uplifting her voice and giving her the recognition she deserves as an American hero.”
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