Representatives Mark Takano, Mike Honda, Doris Matsui Introduce House Resolution To Recognize Day Of Remembrance
For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Contact:
Josh Weisz (Takano) - (202) 225-2305
Paul Kincaid (Honda) - (202) 225-2631
Lauren Dart (Matsui) - (202) 225-7163
Representatives Mark Takano, Mike Honda, Doris Matsui Introduce House Resolution To Recognize Day Of Remembrance
Representatives Mark Takano (D-CA), Mike Honda (D-CA), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced a House resolution today to recognize the Japanese American imprisonment "Day of Remembrance" on February 19.
Signed on February 19, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Executive Order 9066 authorized the Secretary of War to designate certain areas as military zones and was used as the legal rationale to deport Japanese Americans, Italian Americans and German Americans to internment camps during World War II.
"The Day of Remembrance for Japanese American imprisonment is perhaps more significant today than ever before," said Rep. Takano. "More than 70 years ago, my parents and grandparents were removed from their homes, stripped of their possessions, and imprisoned because they looked like the enemy of that time. Today, politicians all over this country are proposing policies similarly rooted in fear and discrimination. The truest way for us to honor the injustice suffered by my family and thousands of others is by learning the lessons of history."
"During this day, we not only look back to the injustices visited upon loyal, hardworking American families more than 70 years ago, but we also look forward," said Rep. Honda. "We look toward a future that can take the path that America fights for, one of freedom and diversity, or one that can give into the fear and anger that has never defined our nation. If we give into the fear, we risk the same results that led to my imprisonment.
"Our country, and our Constitution are never tested during times of tranquility; it is during times of tension, turmoil, tragedy, trauma, and terrorism that we are sorely tested. As we remember a time we failed that test, let us commit to ourselves and our nation to never do so again."
"We have a responsibility to not only remember our history, but also learn from the lessons of our past as we face the challenges of today," said Congresswoman Matsui. "During World War II, the decision to unjustly place U.S. citizens of Japanese descent into camps was grounded in fear. As we face similar fear-based rhetoric in today's political environment, it is more important than ever that we join together in remembrance of our past and remind each other of our most cherished American ideals - liberty and justice for all."
The resolution is also cosponsored by Reps. Grayson, Grijalva, McDermott, Speier, Swalwell, Kilmer, Bordallo, Takai, Vargas, Becerra, Moore, Rangel, Barbara Lee, McGovern, DeSaulnier, Waters, Lieu, and Chu.
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