[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMISSION ON WARTIME RELOCATION AND INTERNMENT OF 
                LATIN AMERICANS OF JAPANESE DESCENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2009

  Mr. BECERRA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Commission 
on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese 
Descent Act. This bill would create a commission to review and 
determine facts surrounding the relocation, internment, and deportation 
of Japanese Latin Americans during World War II.
  Almost 30 years ago, Congress established the Commission on Wartime 
Relocation and Internment of Civilians to study the circumstances which 
led to the detention of 110,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. 
After twenty days of hearings, testimony from 750 witnesses, and review 
of thousands of government and military documents, the Commission 
concluded that internment of Japanese Americans was the result of 
racism and wartime hysteria. In its report to Congress titled Personal 
Justice Denied, the Commission stated ``not a single documented act of 
espionage, sabotage or fifth column activity was committed by an 
American citizen of Japanese ancestry or by Japanese alien . . .'' The 
Commission's findings vindicated these loyal Americans and President 
Ronald Reagan's signature of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 brought 
closure to thousands who suffered unspeakable indignities and 
tremendous losses. However, there remains a group who has not yet 
experienced the closure they deserve or obtained the justice to which 
they are entitled.
  Between December 1941 and February 1948, approximately 2,300 men, 
women, and children of Japanese ancestry were abducted from 13 Latin 
American countries and deported to internment camps in the United 
States. The U.S. government orchestrated and financed this operation 
with the intention of using these individuals as hostages in exchange 
for Americans held by Japan. Over 800 people, many who were second or 
third generation Latin Americans and had no familial or linguistic ties 
to Japan, were used in two prisoner of war exchanges. The remaining 
detainees were held in U.S. internment camps until after the end of the 
war. In the appendix of Personal Justice Denied, the Commission cited 
the Federal government's role in kidnapping and detaining Japanese 
Latin Americans, but acknowledged it had not researched documents that 
exist in distant archives or received official testimony from 
government officials or survivors.
  It is for these reasons that I introduce this very important 
legislation. The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of 
Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act would create a commission to 
investigate and review the facts with regard to the abduction and 
detainment Japanese Latin Americans during World War II by the U.S. 
government. Composed of nine members appointed by the President, 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President pro tempore of 
the Senate, the commission would be charged with holding public 
hearings and submitting a report of its findings and recommending 
appropriate remedies to Congress.
  I am proud to be working with Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii, a 
decorated World War II veteran and a tremendous public servant, who is 
also introducing an identical Senate companion measure today. 
Additionally, I am honored to have the indispensable support of the 
wonderful men and women of the Campaign for Justice and the Japanese 
American Citizens League. Without them this effort would lack the heart 
and soul essential to cross the finish line.
  Madam Speaker, now is the time to reconcile our past and complete the 
official narrative on a troubling period in our Nation's history. As we 
commit ourselves to building a better America for our daughters and 
sons, I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the 
Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of 
Japanese Descent Act.

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