[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 46 (Monday, November 20, 2000)]
[Page 2834]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Dedication of the National Japanese-American Memorial

November 9, 2000

    Earlier today America honored the patriotism of Japanese-Americans 
during World War II with the dedication of the National Japanese-
American Memorial in the Nation's Capital. Attorney General Janet Reno 
and Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta joined distinguished members of the 
Japanese-American community and Americans of all ancestries in reminding 
us of a time when this county lost sight of the very foundations of 
democracy it was defending abroad.
    This Nation must never forget the difficult lessons of the Japanese-
American internment camps during World War II and the inspirational 
lessons of patriotism in the face of that injustice.
    Today I have directed the Secretary of the Interior to develop 
recommendations to preserve existing internment sites and provide for 
their public interpretation. In addition, I am signing legislation 
designating the United States Federal Courthouse for the Western 
District of Washington in Seattle, Washington, as the William Kenzo 
Nakamura United States Courthouse. William Nakamura was a student at the 
University of Washington when he and 120,000 other Japanese-Americans 
were removed from their communities and forced into internment camps. 
Despite the injustice of his internment, William Kenzo Nakamura 
volunteered for the U.S. Army and died fighting for this country in 
Italy on July 4, 1944. In June of this year, I posthumously awarded him 
the Medal of Honor in recognition of his courage and heroism.
    As the Nation prepares to honor its veterans, it is my hope that the 
unique contribution of Japanese-Americans to preserving this Nation's 
freedom and democracy remains a vital part of America's history.

Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.