[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 78 (Monday, May 6, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E444-E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE HISTORICAL SOCEITY OF WINTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 6, 2024

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Historical Society of Winters, who are doing crucial work to preserve 
and commemorate the history of Winters' Japanese community.
  The Historical Society of Winters began in 2004 as the Winters 
History Committee, initially created by the Winters City Council. In 
2018, it became a nonprofit, and opened the Winters Museum that same 
Year. Their express intention was to be a `museum without walls,' and 
to commemorate all the history of Winters, especially the history that 
had been forgotten.
  One of the most important forgotten histories that the Historical 
Society has unearthed and commemorated is that of the pre-World War II 
Japanese community in Winters. In 1888, the first Japanese immigrants 
arrived in Winters, looking to create better lives for themselves and 
their families. Over the years, as more immigrants arrived, they 
created a thriving Japantown on the edge of the city. At its peak, the 
Japanese population of Winters numbered approximately 300 people.
  Sadly, as World War II began, and President Roosevelt ordered the 
internment of all Japanese Americans on the West Coast, the community 
was torn apart. The thriving Japantown was abandoned, and all the 
families were sent to internment camps either in

[[Page E445]]

Arizona or Colorado. But that was not the end of the story of this 
community. When the war finally ended on V-J Day in 1945. Japantown 
burned down in a suspicious fire. Due to this hostility, less than 15 
percent of the pre-war Japanese residents returned to Winters.
  This legacy of hostility and distrust of these people led to the 
stories of this integral Winters community being largely lost to 
history. But the Historical Society of Winters, along with the work of 
Japanese community members, has worked tirelessly to restore these 
memories and commemorate this essential part of our community's 
history.
  To do this, the Historical Society took their advocacy to the local 
level. In the summer of 2023, they urged the Winters City Council to 
approve a monument which would commemorate the existence and history of 
the pre-war Japanese community and Japantown. In a unanimous vote, the 
city council approved the placement of the monument in Rotary Park, 
where the community once existed.
  Without the dedicated and tireless advocacy by the Historical 
Society, as well as members of Winters' Japanese community, our 
community would likely have never learned about the existence and 
history of the pre-war community that shaped so much of this town.
  Mr. Speaker, the Historical Society of Winters is deeply appreciated 
for their work to preserve and commemorate the pre-war Japanese 
community. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them here 
today.

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