[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. ANDREW KAMEI

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                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2002

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the achievement of 
Mr. Andrew Kamei of Bishop, California. Andrew Kamei was awarded first 
place in the Junior Historical Research Paper category at the 
California State History Day competition held in San Jose, California. 
Having accomplished this, Andrew has earned the honor of representing 
California in the National History Day Competition this month, an event 
honoring the scholarship and creativity of students across the nation.
  Andrew Kamei is a 12-year-old seventh grader with an inspirational 
work ethic and a remarkable understanding of history. His award winning 
research paper, titled `` `In Times of War the Laws are Silent': The 
Fair Play Committee, Heart Mountain Relocation Camp, Wyoming, 1944'' is 
a written testament to these qualities. The paper describes the 
experiences of the Fair Play Committee, a group of Japanese Americans 
who were sentenced to extended terms in federal prison for refusing to 
appear for draft induction while being held in internment camps as 
potential enemies of the United States.
  The sixty-three members of the Fair Play Committee unanimously agreed 
to serve in the military on the condition that their constitutional 
rights be restored, a remarkable historical event that Andrew Kamei 
explored with tremendous determination. By talking to former internees, 
scouring state archives, and meeting with surviving members of the Fair 
Play Committee, Andrew has put together a research paper of the highest 
caliber. Furthermore, Andrew draws on his own experiences as a Japanese 
American and the son of a man born into internment to give his work an 
added depth and gravity. The result is an important historical document 
worthy of competing in the National History Day Competition.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Andrew Kamei for his spirited pursuit of 
academic excellence and historical perspective. Balancing national 
security and civil liberties is an important issue, one that Andrew can 
continue to study and apply to what will certainly be a bright academic 
and professional future.

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