[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 27 (Thursday, March 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING GOALS OF CERTAIN COMMUNITIES IN RECOGNIZING NATIONAL DAY OF 
                              REMEMBRANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 2004

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
House Resolution 56. This bill supports the creation of a Day of 
Remembrance for persons of German, Italian, and Japanese descent who 
had their civil liberties egregiously curtailed by the United States 
Government during World War II.
  This bill has important implications not only for these communities 
but also for all of us in this country. When our Nation was gripped by 
the fear of war coming to our shores, we made an unconscionable mistake 
in the form of Executive Order 9066. Signed on February 19, 1942, this 
order restricted the freedom of Japanese-, German-, and Italian-
Americans along the west coast. Members of these communities were 
forced to carry identification cards, had travel restrictions, and 
found their personal property seized with little pretense and no due 
process. Families of citizens and legal residents alike were forced to 
leave their homes and live in deprivation behind barbed wires and guard 
towers in internment camps.
  History has taught us that the United States was wrong to utterly 
obliterate civil liberties during World War II. The fear of spies and 
saboteurs was unfounded. It turns out that, though gripped by the most 
destructive and most divisive war of the 20th century, the United 
States had little to fear from American citizens of ethnic backgrounds. 
The infringement of constitutional rights for the stated purpose of 
homeland security was based more on racial discrimination than a 
credible security threat.
  Japanese-, German-, and Italian-Americans deserve, at the very least, 
a Day of Remembrance, not only to ensure that the memory of this 
terrible time period lives on in their respective communities, but also 
to ensure that all Americans are aware of the grievous mistakes 
committed in the name of security. We all have important lessons to 
learn from the internment camps.

  Mr. Speaker, the internment camps were one of the worst travesties 
this Nation has ever committed. We must learn from this shameful 
episode and apply these lessons for the future. Today we face our own 
war on terrorism and phrases like ``homeland security,'' ``terrorist 
cells,'' and ``imminent threat'' have become commonplace. The security 
of this great Nation can only be safeguarded if America's basic values 
are also defended. In pursuit of security, we must never threaten the 
rights of liberty and freedom that are guaranteed by the Constitution. 
We must not hold an entire culture or society responsible for the 
actions of a few members. We must not restrict the rights of everyone 
for fear of a few. Above all, we must make every effort to ensure the 
stability of our Constitution even during the difficult times of war 
and terror.

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