[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[September 27, 1992]
[Page 1681]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Civil Liberties Act Amendments of 1992
September 27, 1992

    Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 4551, the ``Civil Liberties 
Act Amendments of 1992.'' This legislation fulfills the commitment that 
this country made in 1988 to individuals of Japanese ancestry who were 
interned or relocated during World War II, and to their families.
    In the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, the United States apologized for 
the wrongful internment and relocation of innocent, loyal individuals 
and promised monetary compensation to each such person (or his or her 
heirs). The funds provided by this bill will ensure that all of these 
individuals are compensated as promised. These payments are compelled by 
justice, and I am pound to sign this bill into law.
    H.R. 4551 also makes important technical amendments to the 1988 Act, 
which will help to ensure fair treatment of claimants and smooth 
administration of this program.
    No monetary payments can ever fully compensate loyal Japanese 
Americans for one of the darkest incidents in American constitutional 
history. We must do everything possible to ensure that such a grave 
wrong is never repeated.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
September 27, 1992.

                    Note: H.R. 4551, approved September 27, was assigned 
                        Public Law No. 102-371.