[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MERCED ASSEMBLY CENTER

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                               speech of

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2009

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, on February 19th, this nation will recognize 
the 67th Anniversary of the ``Day of Remembrance.'' This was the day in 
1942 that President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to 
the internment of over 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry.
  The President's decision to intern Americans was an avoidable 
consequence of racial prejudice and wartime hysteria. The government at 
all levels was blinded by war, and made decisions that were contrary to 
our Constitution. The failure of each branch of government to uphold 
the rights of individuals must be taught so that future generations 
resist succumbing to the politics of fear.
  Because of one of the darkest periods of our Nation's history, we 
learned of the damage that can be done when we let the politics of fear 
cloud our judgment. Congress has not only recognized a Day of 
Remembrance, but it also supports and funds assembly center and 
internment site preservation as a physical reminder of past inequality.
  Today, we recognize the historical significance of the Merced 
Assembly Center, located in Merced, California, where 4,669 Japanese-
Americans were detained prior to being transferred to internment sites. 
My dear friend and colleague, Congressman Mike Honda, was held at the 
Merced Assembly Center prior to being interned.
  It is important to preserve these sites to ensure that future 
generations can learn from past events in order to prevent anything 
like this from ever occurring again. The unveiling of the Merced 
Assembly Center on February 21, will allow the site to serve as a place 
for remembering the hardships endured by Japanese-Americans.
  As we look back on a time in our Nation's history, and how our 
country has responded since, we should have hope for the future. Around 
the world, human rights violations continue unabated. Yet, we can 
combat this by working with a single purpose towards a future wherein 
every person, regardless of race, gender, nationality or creed enjoys 
equal treatment in this world.
  And today, 67 years after the signing of Executive Order 9066, we 
must renew our commitment to bringing these rights to all people.
  Though the internment remains one of the darkest periods in our 
Nation's history, preservations like the Merced Assembly Center help to 
remind us of the distinctly American power of redemption. Our 
collective commitment to fairness and justice is the only way to 
prevent such a blatant form of injustice from ever becoming a reality 
again.

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