Congresswoman Doris Matsui Applauds Congressional Gold Medal Recipients
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Doris Matsui Applauds Congressional Gold Medal Recipients
Award Honors Japanese Americans Who Fought in WWII
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) applauded the service, heroism and sacrifice of the Japanese American veterans who served in World War II and are now being awarded a Congressional Gold Medal, 66 years after their patriotism was questioned. Congresswoman Matsui attended the Congressional Gold Medal presentation ceremony and then met with several of her constituents who served in the military units being honored.
I am pleased these American heroes are being honored for their unwavering loyalty and service to the United States these men chose to serve their country, even as their country misjudged and mistreated their friends and their families, said Congresswoman Matsui.
The Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian award, is being presented, collectively, to the U.S. Army's 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service for their accomplishments in World War II. The men in these units, comprised almost entirely of Japanese-Americans, fought in Europe and Asia, even while many of their families were held against their will in internment camps.
It was a pleasure meeting with these amazing men and hearing their stories. These men have never asked for anything in exchange for their service, but they definitely deserve this honor for all they did and endured during World War II, added Congresswoman Matsui.
As a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus who was born in an internment camp in Poston Arizona during World War II, Congresswoman Matsui has been a long time advocate for civil rights and for recognition of the heroic efforts of the Japanese American soldiers who served in the U.S. military during World War II. Her late husband, Congressman Robert T. Matsui, helped lead the Congressional effort to secure redress and reparations for Japanese Americans following the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
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