February 6, 2003
National Day of Remembrance
National Day of Remembrance
in the United States
Congressman Michael Honda (CA) has introduced a House Resolution "H. Res. 56" to honor the efforts of organizations and individuals who recognize February 19th as a day of reflection of the treatment of Japanese, German and Italian Americans during World War II. Executive Order (E.O.) 9066 was signed on February 19, 1942, which allowed for the exclusion of individuals deemed 'alien enemy.'
Congressman Honda, a Japanese American who was interned during WWII, has been a long time advocate for the Day of Remembrance. Regarding the resolution that he has proposed - it does not designate any specific holiday - because the signing of E.O. 9066 is certainly not something to celebrate, but it does recognize the efforts of local and national organizations in educating the community about what happened during WWII. Some local community groups and public libraries utilize February 19th as a day for educational events or exhibit openings.
Below is the resolution, as well as a 'dear colleague' letter that Congressman Honda sent out to other Members of Congress.
At this point, Congressman Honda's office is trying to garner support or endorsement from organizations, in addition to other Members of Congress. They have started discussions with the Japanese American Citizen's League (JACL) and are getting in contact with German American and Italian American organizations for their support.
It would be extremely helpful if you could direct Congressman Honda's office to any organizations that can be supportive of this resolution. It is a high priority for Congressman Honda to be as inclusive as possible on this issue.
To provide information, please contact
Elizabeth Lee
Elizabeth.Lee@mail.house.gov
Congressional Fellow
Office of Congressman Michael Honda, CA-15
1713 Longworth House Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515
(202) 225.2631
Individuals are also encouraged to write letters. Please see suggestions below.
Day of Remembrance Resolution ("H. Res. 56") in the House of Representatives [Adobe Acrobat document]. [Download free Adobe Acrobat Reader.]
Letter from Congressman Honda to Colleagues [Microsoft Word document].
House of Representatives web site with contact information, Alphabetical. By State. Find Your Representative
| Sample wording for thank you letter to representatives who have already signed on in support of the Day of Remembrance Resolution. Please modify to suit your own situation.
Dear Representative _____________________, Thank you for signing on your support to H.Res. 56, which recognizes the goals of the Japanese American, German American, and Italian American communities in recognizing a National Day of Remembrance. This resolution seeks to raise public awareness of the events surrounding the restriction, exclusion, and internment of thousands of individuals and families during the World War II. Although the Japanese American WWII experience is widely known, German Americans and Italian Americans were also subject to similar injustices. This resolution brings together the three communities that were primarily affected together in the effort to educate all Americans of a historic wrong. Only when we understand our past, can we learn from it. Again, thank you for cosponsoring H.Res. 56. Sincerely, [your signature] |
These Members of Congress have signed on as of February 6, 2003:
1. Mark Foley (Florida District 16)
2. Jim McDermott (Washington District 7)
3. Joe Baca (California 43)
4. Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas 30)
5. Robert E. Andrews (New Jersey 1)
6. Neil Abercrombie (Hawaii 1)
7. Joseph Crowley (New York 7)
8. Jay Inslee (Washington 1)
9. Dale E. Kildee (Michigan 5)
10. Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)
11. Eni Faleomavaega (America Somoa)
12. Julia Carson (Indiana 7)
13. Rosa DeLauro (Connecticut 3)
14. David Wu (Oregon 1)
15. Robert Matsui (California 5)
16. Zoe Lofgren (California 16)
17. Robert Wexler (Florida 19)
| Sample wording for letter to representatives who have not yet signed on in support of the Day of Remembrance Resolution. Please modify to suit your own situation.
Dear Representative _____________________, I urge you to sign on to H.Res. 56, introduced by Rep. Honda (CA-15), which recognizes the goals of the Japanese American, German American, and Italian American communities in recognizing a National Day of Remembrance. This resolution seeks to raise public awareness of the events surrounding the restriction, exclusion, and internment of thousands of individuals and families during the World War II. Although the Japanese American WWII experience is widely known, German Americans and Italian Americans were also subject to similar injustices. This resolution brings together the three communities that were primarily affected together in the effort to educate all Americans of a historic wrong. Only when we understand our past, can we learn from it. Again, please sign on your support for H.Res. 56. Sincerely, [your signature]
|
Website on Internment recommended by the Congressional Research Service for the U.S. Congress.