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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi Supports National Day of Remembrance for WWII Internment
Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi entered the following statement into the Congressional Record today in strong support of the House Resolution 56, which later passed by a vote of 404 to 0. Below are her remarks:
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 56, recognizing the significance of February 19, 1942, the day that President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans and residents of Japanese descent and the deprivation of rights of German Americans and Italian Americans.
"The Resolution supports the goals of the Japanese American, German American, and Italian American communities in recognizing a national day of remembrance to increase public awareness of the restrictions and internment of individuals during World War II.
"I am proud to join my colleague Representative Mike Honda, who spent his early childhood in an internment camp, in cosponsoring this Resolution. I appreciate his leadership and diligence in bringing this Resolution.
"The West Coast of our country was particularly affected by the forced relocations and unjust internment of thousands of American citizens and residents of Japanese descent during World War II. The failure of our political and judicial system to prevent this injustice still reverberates strongly across our nation.
"Only belatedly did this nation acknowledge and apologize for the bigotry and injustice spurred by Executive Order 9066. The 'Civil Liberties Act of 1988' was enacted to formally acknowledge and apologize for 'fundamental violations of the basic civil liberties and constitutional rights of these individuals of Japanese ancestry.' In 2000, President Clinton signed the 'Wartime Violation of Italian Americans Civil Liberties Act,' which formally acknowledged civil liberties violations against Italian Americans.
"It is imperative that our generation and future generations recall the deprivations suffered by the Japanese American, German American and Italian American communities during World War II. The date of February 19, 1942 must serve as a constant reminder that we must never again violate individual rights on the basis of national origin.
"The Resolution reaffirms the importance of February 19th, which is recognized as a National Day of Remembrance each year by the Japanese American community. The Japanese American community and its supporters across the nation have worked hard to educate the public about the internment.
"The lessons of that dark chapter in our history are especially relevant today. As we protect and defend the American people against terrorism, we must protect and defend the Constitution and the civil liberties that define our democracy.
"I commend the House of Representatives for considering this Resolution. I urge its passage."
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
