[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         WARTIME VIOLATION OF ITALIAN-AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I wish to speak about a little 
known, but very dark chapter in American history. While many are 
familiar with the deplorable treatment of Japanese-Americans and others 
of Japanese ancestry living in the United States during World War II, 
there is far less discussion and understanding of what Italian-
Americans were forced to endure during that period.
  Italian-Americans refer to what happened at this time as ``Una Storia 
Segreta,'' or ``A Secret Story.'' Beginning before the war and until 
after Italy's surrender in 1943, Italian-Americans and those of Italian 
decent living in the United States were made suspects simply because of 
their country of origin. Like Japanese-Americans, they were subjected 
to all manner of civil rights violations including curfews, warrantless 
searches, summary arrests, exclusions, relocations and even internment.
  The United States must accept responsibility for its grievous 
treatment of Italian-Americans during World War II. To this end, 
Senator Torricelli has introduced S. 1909, the Wartime Violation of 
Italian-American Civil Liberties Act, a bill to require the Justice 
Department to make a full accounting of the injustices suffered by 
Italian-Americans during World War II. After the Justice Department 
completes its report, the President would formally acknowledge these 
injustices.
  I am pleased to cosponsor this overdue legislation. Although it may 
be painful to revisit and admit to the mistakes made during this time, 
I hope my colleagues would agree that it is the necessary and right 
thing to do.

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