[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12384-12388]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              GOLD MEDAL FOR JAPANESE AMERICAN ARMY UNITS

  Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 347) to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to 
the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 
United States Army, in recognition of their dedicated service during 
World War II.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 347

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) On January 19, 1942, 6 weeks after the December 7, 
     1941, attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Navy, the United 
     States Army discharged all Japanese-Americans in the Reserve 
     Officers Training Corps and changed their draft status to 
     ``4C''--the status of ``enemy alien'' which is ineligible for 
     the draft.
       (2) On January 23, 1942, Japanese-Americans in the military 
     on the mainland were segregated out of their units.
       (3) Further, on May 3, 1942, General John L. DeWitt issued 
     Civilian Exclusion Order No. 346, ordering all people of 
     Japanese ancestry, whether citizens or noncitizens, to report 
     to assembly centers, where they would live until being moved 
     to permanent relocation centers.
       (4) On June 5, 1942, 1,432 predominantly Nisei (second 
     generation Americans of Japanese ancestry) members of the 
     Hawaii Provisional Infantry Battalion were shipped from the 
     Hawaiian Islands to Oakland, CA, where the 100th Infantry 
     Battalion was activated on June 12, 1942, and then shipped to 
     train at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
       (5) The excellent training record of the 100th Infantry 
     Battalion and petitions from prominent civilian and military 
     personnel helped convince President Roosevelt and the War 
     Department to re-open military service to Nisei volunteers 
     who were incorporated into the 442nd Regimental Combat Team 
     after it was activated in February of 1943.
       (6) In that same month, the 100th Infantry Battalion was 
     transferred to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, where it continued 
     to train and even though the battalion was ready to deploy 
     shortly thereafter, the battalion was refused by General 
     Eisenhower, due to concerns over the loyalty and patriotism 
     of the Nisei.
       (7) The 442nd Regimental Combat Team later trained with the 
     100th Infantry Battalion at Camp Shelby in May of 1943.
       (8) Eventually, the 100th Infantry Battalion was deployed 
     to the Mediterranean and entered combat in Italy on September 
     26, 1943.
       (9) Due to their bravery and valor, members of the 
     Battalion were honored with 6 awards of the Distinguished 
     Service Cross in the first 8 weeks of combat.
       (10) The 100th Battalion fought at Cassino, Italy in 
     January, 1944, and later accompanied the 34th Infantry 
     Division to Anzio, Italy.
       (11) The 442nd Regimental Combat Team arrived in 
     Civitavecchia, Italy on June 7, 1944, and on June 15 of the 
     following week, the 100th Infantry Battalion was formally 
     made an integral part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 
     and fought for the last 11 months of the war with distinction 
     in Italy, southern France, and Germany.
       (12) The battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit 
     Citation for its actions in battle on June 26-27, 1944.
       (13) The 442nd Regimental became the most decorated unit in 
     United States military history for its size and length of 
     service.
       (14) The 100th Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat 
     Team, received 7 Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of 
     Honor, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 
     4,000 Bronze Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier's 
     Medals, and over 4,000 Purple Hearts, among numerous 
     additional distinctions.
       (15) The United States remains forever indebted to the 
     bravery, valor, and dedication to country these men faced 
     while fighting a 2-fronted battle of discrimination at home 
     and fascism abroad.
       (16) Their commitment and sacrifice demonstrates a highly 
     uncommon and commendable sense of patriotism and honor.

     SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf 
     of the Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design 
     to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental 
     Combat Team, United States Army, collectively, in recognition 
     of their dedicated service during World War II.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall strike the gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, 
     and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
       (c) Smithsonian Institution.--
       (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in 
     honor of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd 
     Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, under subsection 
     (a), the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian 
     Institution, where it will be displayed as appropriate and 
     made available for research.
       (2) Sense.--It is the sense of the Congress that the 
     Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received 
     under paragraph (1) available for display elsewhere, 
     particularly at other appropriate locations associated with 
     the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat 
     Team, United States Army.

     SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the 
     Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the 
     gold medal struck under section 2, at a price sufficient to 
     cover the costs of the medals, including labor, materials, 
     dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.

       Medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for 
     purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be charged against the

[[Page 12385]]

     United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, an amount not to 
     exceed $30,000 to pay for the cost of the medal authorized 
     under section 2.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of 
     duplicate bronze medals under section 3 shall be deposited in 
     the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Watt) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Paulsen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 347, a bill to award the 
Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 100th Infantry Battalion 
and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army.
  The 100th Infantry Battalion fought valiantly in World War II in the 
Italian, French and German theaters. The 100th Infantry Battalion 
consisted of Americans of Japanese descent that bravely fought for 
their country at a time when all people of Japanese ancestry, whether 
they were citizens or noncitizens, were sent to interment camps.
  Members of the 100th Infantry Battalion were honored with six awards 
of the Distinguished Service Cross in the first 8 weeks of combat. And 
the battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its 
actions in battle on June 26 and 27, 1944.
  The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor and 
patriotism of these men who fought fascism abroad and racism at home. 
They are true American heroes. And I am honored to support legislation 
awarding members of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team 
the Congressional Gold Medal.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I also rise today in strong support of H.R. 347, 
introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), and I seek 
its immediate passage.
  This bill, cosponsored by 295 Members, would award a Congressional 
Gold Medal collectively to the United States Army's 100th Infantry 
Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in recognition of their 
exemplary service during the Second World War.
  In 1941, more than 5,000 Japanese Americans served in the various 
branches of the United States Armed Forces, but that changed 
dramatically after the terrible attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 
1941. Immediately, many Japanese Americans were classified unfit for 
military service or as enemy aliens, even if they were second 
generation Japanese Americans, known as ``nisei,'' born in the United 
States.
  In June of 1942, the 1,400 members of the Hawaii Provisional Infantry 
Battalion were shipped from the islands to Oakland, where they formed 
into the 100th Infantry Battalion and were sent to Wisconsin for 
training. Eight months later, based on the battalion's excellent 
training record, President Roosevelt and the War Department agreed to 
let the other nisei into the service, which led to the formation of the 
442nd.
  Madam Speaker, the 100th Infantry Battalion was deployed to the 
Italian front in late September of 1943 and, while it encountered heavy 
fighting, acquitted itself so well its members earned six Distinguished 
Service Crosses in their first 2 months of action. The 442nd arrived in 
the Italian theater 6 months later, and the two units joined together, 
fighting with distinction in Italy, France and Germany for the 
remainder of the war.
  Together, it is important to note that they received seven 
Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, 29 Distinguished 
Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars with 28 Oak Leaf Clusters, 4,000 
Bronze Stars with 1,200 Oak Leaf Clusters, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 
15 Soldier's Medals, 12 French Croix de Guerre with two Palms, two 
Italian Crosses for Military Valor, two Italian Medals for Military 
Valor, and more than 9,000 Purple Hearts. It is these Purple Hearts 
that gave the 100th Battalion the nickname ``the Purple Heart 
Battalion.''
  Madam Speaker, in a war that was filled with heroes, a war that gave 
us the Greatest Generation, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd 
Regimental Combat Team clearly stand out. They truly lived up to their 
motto, ``go for broke,'' and set a standard for bravery and valor. This 
bill provides for the awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal in 
recognition of their service and their bravery. The medal will be given 
to the Smithsonian for display and research purposes.
  Madam Speaker, this award is long past due. I want to thank the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) for taking the lead on this 
important legislation. I urge its immediate passage.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1645

  Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the lead sponsor of this bill, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Schiff).
  Mr. SCHIFF. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of this legislation 
granting the Congressional Gold Medal to the Japanese American 100th 
Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, commonly known 
as the Go For Broke regiments, for their dedicated service to our 
Nation during World War II.
  It is an honor and a pleasure to offer a humble contribution to this 
storied and inspirational group of men who answered their country's 
call in the face of tremendous adversity.
  Today we pay tribute to these regiments who served our Nation at 
great risk and to those who sacrificed all for our freedom. These men 
served the Nation at a pivotal moment in our history, displaying their 
heroism and courage on two fronts, abroad in the fight against fascism 
and at home against the intolerance of racial injustice.
  The bombing of Pearl Harbor incited doubts in many Americans about 
the loyalty of Japanese Americans. These men who enlisted to protect 
our Nation were faced with segregated training conditions, families and 
friends relocated to internment camps, and repeated questions about 
their combat ability.
  To answer the call of duty requires exceptional courage and 
sacrifice. To respond with a vigor and persistence unaffected by those 
who sought to malign and impede their every achievement reveals an 
incredible spirit and admirable will. At a time when they could have 
easily turned their backs on the country that had sent their families 
to internment camps, these men chose instead to serve and to inspire, 
carrying the burden of knowing that at every step through successful 
missions and failures they would be judged not simply on effort or 
ability but also by the color of their skin. These men created a 
shining example of patriotism, courage and skill.
  The story of the Japanese American regiments begins 6 weeks after 
December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Navy. 
Inspired by a growing hysteria and xenophobia in late January 1942, the 
U.S. Army discharged all Japanese Americans in the Reserve Officer 
Training Corps and made them ineligible for the draft. Similarly, 
Japanese Americans in the military on the mainland were segregated out 
of their units.
  Following President Roosevelt's issuance of Executive Order 9066, 
which authorized the internment of tens of thousands of American 
citizens of Japanese ancestry and resident aliens from Japan, on May 3, 
1942, General John L. DeWitt issued Civilian Exclusion Order No. 346, 
ordering all people of Japanese

[[Page 12386]]

ancestry, whether citizens or noncitizens, to report to assembly 
centers where they would live until being moved to permanent relocation 
centers.
  In June of 1942, 1,432 predominantly Nisei, that is second-generation 
Americans of Japanese ancestry, members of the Hawaii Provisional 
Infantry Battalion were shipped from the Hawaiian Islands to Oakland, 
California, where the 100th Infantry Battalion was activated on June 
12, 1942, and then shipped to Camp McCoy in Wisconsin for training.
  Thanks to the excellent training record of the 100th Infantry 
Battalion, petitions from prominent civilian and military personnel 
helped convince President Roosevelt and the war department to reopen 
military service to Nisei volunteers.
  In early 1943 the 100th Infantry Battalion was transferred to Camp 
Shelby, Mississippi, where it trained with the 442nd Regimental Combat 
Team. Though the combat team was ready to deploy shortly thereafter, 
the battalion was refused by General Eisenhower due to lingering 
concerns over the loyalty and patriotism of the Nisei.
  Eventually their exemplary training record convinced the naysayers, 
and the 100th Infantry Battalion was deployed to the Mediterranean 
where they entered combat in Italy on September 26, 1943.
  Due to their bravery and valor, members of the battalion were honored 
with six awards of the Distinguished Service Cross in the first 8 weeks 
of combat.
  The 442nd Regimental Combat Team arrived in Italy in June of 1944 
where the 100th Infantry Battalion was formally integrated as a part of 
the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. As a unit, these regiments fought for 
the last 11 months of the war with selfless distinction in Italy, 
southern France and Germany, earning the nickname the Go For Broke 
regiments. These regiments went on to earn several awards for their 
distinctive service in combat including, as we have heard from my 
colleague, seven Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, 29 
Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 22 
Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier's Medals and over 4,000 Purple 
Hearts, among numerous additional distinctions.
  For their size and their length of service, the 100th Infantry 
Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team were the most decorated 
U.S. military units of the war. Their performance in combat revealed 
their ability as remarkable soldiers. But their poise, courage and 
patriotism showed also they were very remarkable men. They looked to 
support from their interned family, friends and communities. And in 
turn, their service and commitment inspired those supporters back home 
to pursue new-found aspirations of their own.
  The Go For Broke regiments were not the only servicemen of Asian 
Pacific-Islander dissent to serve in World War II. Today we also 
recognize those groups who faced similarly daunting conditions at home 
and abroad. The Military Intelligence Service, the 522nd Field 
Artillery Battalion, the 1399th Combat Engineer Company, the Women's 
Army Corps, the Filipino Scouts and other heralded units.
  The Go For Broke and other Japanese American brave men and women who 
have served deserve our continual rededication and appreciation. The 
debt we owe them is immeasurable. Without their service, our country 
would surely not shine so brightly, stand so boldly or live so freely.
  As our Nation endures these trying times, we can look to the example 
of the Go For Broke regiments to provide us with courage in the future. 
These men left the segregated country to fight, and unfortunately they 
returned to one. They defended America with no guarantee that their own 
freedom would be defended in return. Their true heroism lies in how 
they fought for the values of America, equality, justice, and 
opportunity, even when those values were not fully extended to them.
  We will continue to look towards their example to provide hope to our 
communities, to look past our differences and to unite around our 
common bonds.
  Men and women are able to serve their country today without regard to 
ethnicity, race or nationality because of what these men endured and 
accomplished.
  Please join me in honoring these courageous men by supporting the 
granting of a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the U.S. Army's 
100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
  Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, at this time I have no other speakers.
  I would like to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume, up 
to the balance of our time, to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega).
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I do want to thank my good friend, the gentleman 
from North Carolina, for giving me time to speak, and especially also 
to commend my good friend from California (Mr. Schiff) for his 
sponsorship of this important bill.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 347, to grant 
the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the 100th Infantry 
Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in 
recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.
  I want to also thank my colleagues from the State of Hawaii. I am 
sure they will be here later hopefully, my good friends and colleagues, 
Congressman Abercrombie and Ms. Hirono.
  As a former member of the 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry Group, Madam 
Speaker, I would like to share with you the contributions of tens of 
thousands of Japanese American soldiers who volunteered to fight our 
Nation's enemies in Europe during World War II.
  After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, by the 
Imperial Armed Forces of Japan, there was such an outrage and public 
outcry for an all-out war against Japan. Days after we were attacked, 
President Roosevelt and the Congress immediately formally declared war 
against Japan. Out of this retaliation against Japan, hundreds and 
thousands of Americans were caught in this crossfire. These Americans 
just happened to be of Japanese ancestry.
  Our national government immediately implemented a policy, whereby 
over 100,000 Japanese Americans were forced to live in what were then 
called relocation camps but were actually more like prisoner 
concentration camps.
  Their lands, their homes and their properties were confiscated by the 
military without any due process of law. One of our former colleagues 
and former Secretary of Transportation, Congressman Norm Mineta, and 
the late Congressman Bob Matsui from Sacramento spent the early years 
of their lives in these concentration camps.
  Secretary Mineta shared one of the interesting features of these 
concentration camps, where there were many machine gun nests posted all 
over the camps. Everyone in the camp was told that these machine guns 
were necessary to protect them against rioters or others who wanted to 
harm them. But then Secretary Mineta observed, if these machine guns 
were to posted to guard us and to protect us, why is it that they are 
all directed, aimed inside the prison camp and not outside? It was a 
time in our Nation's history when there was so much hatred and bigotry 
and racism displayed against our Japanese American community.
  Despite all this, the White House at the time reluctantly accepted 
the request of tens of thousands of Japanese Americans to volunteer to 
join the Army, thus leaving their wives, their parents, their brothers 
and sisters behind barbed fences at these concentration camps. As a 
result of such volunteerism, two combat units were organized. The 100th 
Battalion and the 442nd Infantry Combat Group were created and 
immediately were sent to Europe to fight our enemies there.
  Madam Speaker, in my humble opinion, history speaks for itself in 
documenting that none have shed their blood more valiantly for our 
Nation than these Japanese American soldiers who served in these two 
units while

[[Page 12387]]

fighting enemy forces in Europe and World War II. The military records 
of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry are without equal. These 
Japanese American soldiers suffered an unprecedented casualty rate of 
314 percent and received over 18,000 individual decorations, many 
awarded posthumously for bravery and courage in the field of battle.
  For your information, these units collectively received 53 
Distinguished Service Crosses, the second highest medal given for 
heroism in combat, 560 Silver Stars, the third highest in combat, 9,486 
Purple Hearts, and 7 Presidential Unit Citations, the Nation's top 
award for combat units, were all awarded to these Japanese American 
units.
  I find it unusual, however, at the time that only one Medal of Honor 
was awarded. Nonetheless, the 442nd Combat Group emerged as the most 
decorated combat unit of its size in the history of the United States 
Army.
  A sad commentary, Madam Speaker, when these Japanese soldiers, full 
of decorations, coming back wounded couldn't even get a haircut in San 
Francisco simply because they were Japanese Americans.
  President Truman was so moved by their bravery in the field of battle 
as well as the sacrifices of our African American soldiers during World 
War II that he issued an Executive Order to finally, finally 
desegregate all the branches of the armed services in our Nation.
  I am proud to say that we must recognize Senator Daniel Inouye and 
the late highly respected Senator Spark Matsunaga, both from Hawaii, 
who distinguished themselves in battle as soldiers of the 100th 
Battalion and 442nd Infantry.
  It was while fighting in Europe that Senator Inouye lost his arm 
while engaged in personal combat with two German machine gun posts. For 
his heroism, he was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross.
  As a result of a congressional mandate that was passed in 1999 to 
review again the military records of these two combat units, President 
Clinton then presented 19 additional Congressional Medals of Honor to 
these Japanese American soldiers who were numbered in those two combat 
units. Senator Inouye was also one of those recipients of a Medal of 
Honor, and I was privileged to witness this historical event at a White 
House ceremony.
  It is only proper, Madam Speaker, that we honor these soldiers and 
their families for their patriotism and courage by awarding them with 
the Congressional Gold Medal. I find encouraging that even at times 
when these Japanese Americans were segregated and isolated because of 
their ethnicity or racial background they managed to find the greatest 
courage to volunteer and fight for our country. And for many other 
volunteers, they gave the ultimate sacrifice to fight for something 
they strongly and truly believed in, and thus truly, the Go For Broke 
spirit.
  The Go For Broke slogan, Madam Speaker, was a pidgin English phrase 
the boys from Hawaii used meaning, ``give it all you got,'' ``don't 
give up,'' ``give 'em hell,'' and ``no retreat, no matter what.''
  I urge my colleagues to support this important bill. Again, I thank 
the gentleman from California for sponsoring this important 
legislation.
  Mr. PAULSEN. Madam Speaker, it is very fitting as we have heard from 
the author of the bill and from others on the floor of the body today 
that we award the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of courage, 
skill, service and bravery to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 
442nd Regimental Combat Team.
  I would urge my colleagues to support H.R. 347.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, once again, I have been privileged to be 
controlling the time and have the opportunity to listen to these 
wonderful stories that are both sad on the one hand because of the 
experiences that these brave people were experiencing at that time and 
exhilarating and deserve so much honor and respect on the other hand.

                              {time}  1700

  So I want to again thank my good friend from California (Mr. Schiff) 
for bringing the bill forward and thank the gentleman from American 
Samoa for his touching personalization of the story so that we can all 
be more edified.
  With that, I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.
  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 347.
  This legislation appropriately awards a Congressional Gold Medal to 
the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in 
honor of their dedicated service during World War II.
  Comprised predominantly of Nisei, the American-born sons of Japanese 
immigrants, members of University of Hawaii's Reserve Officers' 
Training Corps (ROTC) aided the wounded, buried the fallen, and helped 
defend vulnerable areas in Hawaii after the attack at Pearl Harbor. In 
spite of these acts of courage, the U.S. Army discharged all Nisei in 
the ROTC unit, changed their draft status to ineligible, and segregated 
all Japanese-Americans in the military on the mainland out of their 
units. In the meantime, more than a 100,000 Japanese-Americans were 
forcibly relocated from their homes to internment camps.
  Undaunted, members of the Hawaii Provisional Infantry Battalion 
joined the 100th Infantry Battalion in California to train as soldiers. 
The sheer determination and pursuit of excellence displayed by this 
battalion in training contributed to President Roosevelt's decision to 
allow Nisei volunteers to serve in the U.S. military again, leading to 
their incorporation into the 442nd.
  Members of the 100th and the 442nd risked their lives to fight for 
our country and allies in Europe. The 442nd ``Go for Broke'' unit 
became the most decorated in U.S. military history for its size and 
length of service, with its component, the 100th Infantry Battalion, 
earning the nickname ``The Purple Heart Battalion''. The 100th and the 
442nd received seven Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, 
29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 
22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier's Medals, and more than 4,000 
Purple Hearts, among numerous additional distinctions.
  I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for H.R 347, which grants the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, 
to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
  More than 20,000 Nisei soldiers enlisted in the U.S. Army during 
World War II, collectively earning 21 Medals of Honor, 52 Distinguished 
Service Crosses, 559 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, nine 
Presidential Unit Citations, and 9,486 Purple Hearts.
  The 100th Battalion played a pivotal role in our nation's military 
history. The unit was the first all-Japanese American Nisei military 
unit, and was formed from the Japanese--Americans who comprised a large 
part of the Hawaiian National Guard. These Nisei were sent to Camp 
McCoy, Wisconsin for combat training and later were moved to Camp 
Shelby, Mississippi for additional training.
  Approximately 14,000 individuals served in the 442nd Regimental 
Combat Team, including the 100th Infantry Battalion, which became the 
most decorated unit for its size and length of service in American 
military history. The 442nd saw the highest percentage of casualties of 
any unit in the Army, earning it the nickname ``Purple Heart 
Battalion.'' The 442nd is an example which highlights the stellar 
performance of these Nisei soldiers.
  These men fought for the U.S. and its allies across Europe in many 
key battles. The 442nd fought eight major campaigns in France, Germany, 
and Italy. Most notably, the 442nd suffered more than 800 casualties to 
free 211 members of a Texas unit who were trapped by the Germans in the 
rescue of the Lost Battalion. Additionally, the Japanese American 
soldiers liberated towns such as Brueyeres, Biffontaine, and Belvedere. 
They also were among the first Allied troops to liberate the Dachau 
concentration camp in Germany.
  Though many of their families were unjustly incarcerated in 
internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans 
still fought to prove their loyalty to the United States of America and 
helped pave the way for full racial integration of the Armed Forces. 
They adopted the phrase ``Remember Pearl Harbor'' as their motto.
  This bill will bring long overdue recognition to the unique sacrifice 
these soldiers made overcoming racial hatred at home, serving honorably 
overseas, and helping change the course of history with their bravery. 
The 442nd

[[Page 12388]]

Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Battalion have earned the 
Congressional Gold Medal.
  I am a proud original cosponsor of H.R. 347 and I commend my 
colleague, Representative Adam Schiff, for his work in bringing this 
legislation to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to support the 
442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion, and 
honor the service of our nation's Nisei veterans.
  Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 347.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. WATT. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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