[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E254-E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MERCED ASSEMBLY CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 129, recognizing the historical significance of the Merced 
Assembly Center to the Nation and the importance of establishing an 
appropriate memorial at that site to serve as a place for remembering 
the hardships endured by Japanese-Americans, so that the United States 
remains vigilant in protecting our Nation's core

[[Page E255]]

values of equality, due process of law, justice and fundamental 
fairness. This resolution embodies the ideals and precepts that we hold 
so dear in the United States. I support this resolution and I strongly 
encourage my colleagues to do the same.
  As a Senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and a member of 
the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil 
Liberties, I know the importance of due process, fairness, and 
equality. Indeed, as a child of the Civil Rights Movement, I have 
championed these uniquely American precepts that are the bedrock of our 
Democracy. We must never forget this fundamental infringement of civil 
rights that had a deleterious and one-sided effect upon a race of 
Americans. We must never forget so that we will never repeat the tragic 
horrors of that era. Spawned by a fear of a race during a time of war, 
this Great Country was led to do act and behave toward a race in a way 
that we must never allow again.
  On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed 
Executive Order No. 9066, authorizing the forced internment of both 
United States citizens and legal residents of Japanese ancestry during 
World War II. This Executive Order resulted in the largest single 
relocation of individuals in the history of our Nation. As a result of 
this relocation, 120,000 Japanese-Americans were forced into internment 
camps by the United States Government in violation of their fundamental 
constitutional rights.
  Japanese-Americans faced tremendous hardships due to their unjust 
treatment. The hardships this group faced were reminiscent of the days 
of slavery where families were torn asunder and faced separation. 
Individuals endured the loss of their homes, businesses, jobs, and 
their dignity.
  Pursuant to Executive Order No. 9066, Japanese-Americans in the 
western United States, specifically Washington, Oregon, California, and 
southern Arizona were ordered to report to so called assembly centers 
before being removed to more permanent wartime relocation centers.
  The Merced Assembly Center, located in Merced, California, was the 
reporting site for nearly 5,000 Japanese-Americans. Sadly, as a child, 
United States Congressman Mike Honda and his family were held at the 
Merced Assembly Center prior to being interned in Amache, Colorado. 
Through this tragedy and sadness, and in spite of this situation, 
Representative Honda forged a public career dedicated to educating and 
preventing this type of injustice from ever occurring again in this 
great country.
  The Merced Assembly Center Commemorative Committee has been charged 
with the task of establishing a memorial to recognize the historic 
tragedy that took place at the Merced Assembly Center. The unveiling 
ceremony for the memorial at the Merced Assembly Center will take place 
on February 21, 2009.
  I stand today to support this resolution. As a champion of civil 
rights for all Americans, I will continue to fight to ensure that 
Americans are treated fairly, humanely, and to the letter of the 
Constitution. I urge my colleagues to stand with me today to support 
this resolution and to continue to fight against prejudice in this 
country. As Members of Congress, we must never forget the injustice of 
the Japanese internment in this country and all of us need to continue 
in the fight to ensure that all Americans are treated fairly under law 
without regard to the race, color, creed, sexual orientation or any 
other form of differentiation.
  Mr. Speaker. I support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the 
same.

                          ____________________