[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 77 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE HONORARY DEGREES BESTOWED UPON JAPANESE AMERICAN 
 STUDENTS WHO WERE REMOVED FROM SACRAMENTO JUNIOR COLLEGE DURING WORLD 
                                 WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2010

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
the Japanese American men and women who will be receiving honorary 
degrees from Sacramento City College. During World War II, thousands of 
Japanese-American students had to suspend their studies to report to 
gathering sites before being sent to U.S. internment camps. Because of 
this, many never returned or completed their studies at Sacramento 
Junior College. 68 years later they will receive honorary degrees.
  In one of our nation's darkest hours, on February 19, 1942, through 
the authorization of Executive Order 9066, more than 110,000 Japanese-
Americans and Japanese immigrants were relocated and interned at War 
Relocation Centers. Because of Executive Order 9066, thousands of 
Japanese-American young adults were forced to halt their studies, 
withdraw from school and report to assembly centers solely because of 
their Japanese ancestry.
  With the passage of California Assembly Bill 37 on October 11, 2009, 
the Regents of the University of California, Trustees of the California 
State University, and the Board of Governors of the California 
Community Colleges were authorized by the State of California to confer 
an honorary degree upon each person, living or deceased, who was forced 
to leave his or her postsecondary studies as a result of Executive 
Order 9066. It is an honor long overdue.
  Sacramento City College has taken the important steps toward 
correcting an injustice that occurred more than 68 years ago, and has 
embraced California Assembly Bill 37. The California Nisei Diploma 
Project is a way of recognizing the many sacrifices made by Japanese-
Americans in my home state of California.
  On May 19, 2010, Sacramento City College will bestow 49 honorary 
degrees upon Japanese-Americans students, alive and deceased, who were 
forced to discontinue their studies at what was then known as 
Sacramento Junior College because of Executive Order 9066. Sacramento 
City College has looked forward to this moment with great anticipation, 
has received its former students and their families with great 
humility, and acknowledges their pursuit of higher education with 
honorary degrees.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great honor and pride that I stand today to 
recognize the Japanese-American men and women who will receive honorary 
diplomas from Sacramento City College. I ask all my colleagues to join 
me in honoring these American citizens for their sacrifice and 
dedication to our country. Let this ceremony stand as a stark reminder 
that the darkest moments in the history of our country must be 
remembered so that they are never repeated. Thank you for joining me in 
honoring these proud Americans.

                          ____________________