July 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7227 stand at the Lincoln Memorial and I Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of America had the potential and duty to become read the words of President Lincoln’s my time. a fairer and more equal nation. second inaugural address that say, Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield The legal abolishment of slavery did not ‘‘Yet, if God wills that it continue back the balance of my time. translate into the end of racial inequality. until all the wealth piled up by the Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I Equally, the legal abolishment of Jim Crow bondsmen’s 250 years of unrequited toil rise today in support of House Resolution 194, has not translated into the elimination of dis- shall be sunk, and until every drop of a resolution that apologizes for the enslave- parities. The reality is that although the men, blood drawn with the lash shall be paid ment and segregation of African-Americans. women and children who were enslaved in by another drawn with the sword, as This is a significant moment in our nation’s this country are long gone, the wealth, culture, was said 3,000 years ago, so still it must history when the nearly 20-year fight to con- and even the congressional buildings that they be said ‘the judgments of the Lord are sider federal legislation that apologizes for helped construct remain. true and righteous altogether.’’’ slavery has at last become a reality. Indeed, Indeed, in the years following Jim Crow, Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural it is fitting that we consider legislation of this blacks have undoubtedly taken advantage of address, the central part being: If the content and caliber at this time. A global trend increased opportunities and have achieved in price to be paid was until every drop of has emerged within the 21st Century in which every imaginable sector. 246 years after blood drawn by the bondsmen’s lash be governments have apologized for slavery and emancipation and 43 years after the abolish- paid by another drawn with the sword, discriminatory laws and promised to work to- ment of legal segregation, the United States Mr. Speaker, that is the powerful vi- ward a better future. has made serious improvements in drafting sion that there was a sin on this Na- Within the past year, states that were once and implementing policies that encourage tion, and Abraham Lincoln understood members of the former Confederacy and were equality. However, it would be wrong to con- that. And 600,000 Americans died in the a cesspool for racist and bigoted laws and clude that these successes negate the fact conflict to free the slaves. practices did something that no state had I brought with me, this is my great, that 346 years of oppression have contributed done before: they apologized for the enslave- great, five times great uncle’s Bible. to the economic and health disparities that ment of black people in this country. More This is the Bible that he carried in his continue to affect much of the black commu- than 240 years after the abolition of slavery shirt pocket for 3 years during the nity. and more than four decades after the abolition Civil War. If I open it up, I can show On this historic day, we must recommit our- of Jim Crow, it is time for the federal govern- you fly specs and verses that are writ- selves to bringing about an end to these dis- ten in this Bible. His sister presented ment to do the same. parities and injustices. And in passing this res- In 1988, Congress apologized to Japanese- to it to him on the eve of his departure olution, the House will send a message to the Americans for holding them in concentration for the war, and he returned with it in American people and others that the most camps during World War II. Congress ex- his shirt pocket 3 years to the day. I powerful nation in the world is willing to look found his grave when I was trimming pressed regret for its policies on Hawaii a cen- honestly at some of the most shameful parts grass around the gravestones for Me- tury after the native Hawaiian kingdom was of its history, accept responsibility, and apolo- morial Day. No one knew where he had overthrown. And just five years ago, the Sen- gize for its actions. Together, we will continue been buried. This is John Richardson’s ate apologized for not enacting anti-lynching to lay the necessary foundation to build a Bible. My great grandfather five times legislation that would have saved the lives of stronger future. great was killed in the Civil War. All of thousands of black people across the South. Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I his artifacts are lost. This remains. America’s greatness is exemplified in part yield back the balance of my time. I This remains as a connection to me, to by our ability to evolve. Under federal and thank the gentlemen for their coopera- my family members who were strong state laws and customs, African Americans tion along with this resolution. and powerful and committed abolition- were denied their fundamental rights from The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ists, and some of them gave their lives 1619 until 1965. Today, we show our growth question is on the motion offered by to free the slaves. by officially acknowledging the wrongful ac- the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. So as I read this resolution today, tions and policies that were targeted toward CONYERS) that the House suspend the Mr. Speaker, I don’t see a reference of African-Americans during slavery and Jim rules and agree to the resolution, H. gratitude for all the blood that was Crow. Res. 194, as amended. given by people to end slavery. I think Sadly, there are some who continue to op- The question was taken. that needs to be part of this record as pose Congress apologizing for slavery and The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the well. The horrible price that was paid segregation. They see apologizing as a futile opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being to pay back in blood drawn by the action that is too little too late. Others contend in the affirmative, the ayes have it. sword for every drop of blood drawn by that an official apology would do more harm Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I ob- the bondsmen’s lash. That is a point, that good and would conjure painful images ject to the vote on the ground that a too, that the next generations need to from the past that would fuel resentment. quorum is not present and make the learn and need to hear. These assertions miss the point. point of order that a quorum is not And then with the balance of this dis- Failure to pass this resolution that acknowl- present. cussion, Mr. Speaker, I just would em- edges the wrongness of slavery and segrega- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- phasize that this Nation threw off the tion would send the dangerous message that ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the yoke of slavery. We rose above it be- America is unwilling to come to terms with one Chair’s prior announcement, further cause we had a strong conviction as a of the first and last great atrocities that it proceedings on this motion will be people, we had a strong religious faith placed on its citizens through the rule of law. postponed. that rejected slavery as a sin against Slavery and racial segregation were permitted The point of no quorum is considered this Nation. We can be proud of the through federal law and our government must withdrawn. price that was paid to free the slaves. express the appropriate and long-overdue re- f And it was a struggle of 100 years to morse for its tolerance of this injustice. pass the Civil Rights Act that lifted As we all know, Mr. Speaker, words matter. RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVER- another level. And here we are today at ‘‘All men are created equal,’’ is perhaps one of SARY OF THE CIVIL LIBERTIES a point where I look forward to the the most famous phrases in American history. ACT time when we can say we are fully inte- In our nation’s infancy, this statement encom- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I move grated and there is no vestige of slav- passed the principles of a country that prom- to suspend the rules and agree to the ery and no vestige of racism, and an ised to protect the freedom and well-being of resolution (H. Res. 1357) recognizing understanding that we are all God’s its new citizens. Yet it was written when hun- the significance of the 20th anniversary children created in his image. And be- dreds of thousands of black men, women and of the signing of the Civil Liberties Act cause he has blessed us with enough children were enslaved and counted as only of 1988 by President Ronald Reagan and distinctions that we can tell each other 3⁄5 of a person under the Constitution. Never- the greatness of America in her ability apart, it is no reason for us to discrimi- theless, President Abraham Lincoln later used to admit and remedy past mistakes, as nate for or against anyone, as Ward this phrase to argue that the institution of slav- amended. Connerly says and as the Civil Rights ery contradicted our nation’s most funda- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Initiative in Michigan says so. mental values. This statement proved that tion.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:43 Jul 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JY7.080 H29JYPT1 smartinez on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H7228 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 29, 2008 The text of the resolution is as fol- justices’’ resulting from Executive Order those who suffered through intern- lows: 9066, apologized on behalf of the people of the ment. United States for those injustices, and vowed H. RES. 1357 On February 19, 1976, President Ford to ‘‘discourage the occurrence of similar in- rescinded Executive Order 9066. On Whereas President Franklin Delano Roo- justices and violations of civil liberties in sevelt signed Executive Order 9066 on Feb- the future’’; July 21, 1980, Congress established the ruary 19, 1942, which authorized the forced Whereas President Ronald Reagan signed Commission on Wartime Relocation exclusion of 120,000 Japanese Americans and the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 into law on and Internment of Civilians to inves- legal resident aliens from the west coast of August 10, 1988, proclaiming that ‘‘Here we tigate the internment of World War II. the United States and the internment of admit a wrong. Here we affirm our commit- United States citizens and legal permanent A few years later the Commission re- ment as a Nation to equal justice under the residents of Japanese ancestry in confine- ported its finding and recommenda- law’’; and ment sites during World War II without the tions, and on August 10, 1988, the Civil Whereas the 20th anniversary of the enact- benefit of due process; Liberties Act was signed into law au- ment of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 pro- Whereas no person of Japanese ancestry, vides an opportunity for all United States thorizing reparations to each person who was confined during World War II under citizens to appreciate the greatness of our wrongfully interned. the authority of Executive Order 9066, was Nation in having the willingness to admit Although there is hardly anything convicted of espionage, treason, or sabotage that can replace 3 years lost to intern- against the United States; and remedy its past mistakes and for polit- Whereas Japanese American men proved ical leaders to learn from those past mis- ment, an official apology and com- their loyalty to the United States with bat- takes by not adopting racially motivated pensation provided some solace to tlefield valor serving in the 442d Regimental governmental policies: Now, therefore, be it those who suffered, and helped heal a Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion, Resolved, That the House of Representa- Nation stained by this terrible mistake tives— Army Air Corps, and the Military Intel- made during the Second World War. ligence Service, and Japanese American (1) reaffirms our Nation’s commitment to equal justice under the law for all people in One of the leaders in that effort was women served with distinction in the Wom- the late Robert Matsui of California. en’s Army Corps and Army Nurse Corps; celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Whereas President Gerald Ford formally Civil Liberties Act of 1988; b 1530 rescinded Executive Order 9066 on February (2) continues to support the congressional 19, 1976, in his speech, ‘‘An American Prom- goal embodied in the Civil Liberties Act of And so it is today that this resolu- ise’’; 1988 that all persons living under protection tion introduced by his widow, DORIS Whereas Congress adopted legislation of the United States Constitution have a MATSUI, we have come to recognize the which was signed by President Jimmy Carter right to enjoy freedom and equality without significance of the 20th anniversary of on July 31, 1980, establishing the Commission the constraint of prejudice and discrimina- the signing of the Civil Liberties Act on Wartime Relocation and Internment of tion or the lack of due process; and and how America came to admit and Civilians to investigate the claim that the (3) shall review the wartime treatment of Latin Americans of Japanese descent, Ger- remedy past mistakes. Let’s hope that incarceration of Japanese Americans and will help the Nation remember this legal resident aliens during World War II was man Americans, and of Italian Americans, to justified by military necessity; determine whether they should also receive mistake and to prevent similar occur- Whereas the Commission held 20 days of an apology and reparations similar to that rences like that from happening in the hearings and heard from over 750 witnesses provided in the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 for future. on this matter and published its findings in Japanese Americans interned during World We remember others who suffered a report entitled ‘‘Personal Justice Denied’’; War II. similar internment or forced deporta- Whereas the Commission’s report con- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tion in exchange for United States citi- cluded that the promulgation of Executive ant to the rule, the gentleman from zens held by axis countries. In its re- Order 9066 was not justified by military ne- Michigan (Mr. CONYERS) and the gen- view, the commission also found our cessity and that the decision to issue the tleman from Iowa (Mr. KING) each will order was shaped by ‘‘race prejudice, war government financed relocation to the hysteria, and a failure of political leader- control 20 minutes. United States and internment of 2,300 ship’’; The Chair recognizes the gentleman Latin Americans of Japanese descent Whereas the Commission also discovered from Michigan. for the purpose of exchanging Latin that the United States Government ex- GENERAL LEAVE Americans of Japanese descent for panded its internment program and national Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask United States citizens held by axis security investigations to conduct the pro- unanimous consent that all Members countries. gram and investigations in Latin America; may have 5 legislative days to revise I commend XAVIER BECERRA, our dis- Whereas according to the Commission, the United States Government financed reloca- and extend their remarks and include tinguished colleague from California, tion to the United States, and internment, of extraneous material. for working to bring this matter also approximately 2,300 Latin Americans of Jap- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there before us today. anese descent, for the purpose of exchanging objection to the request of the gen- In addition, serious allegations have the Latin Americans of Japanese descent for tleman from Michigan? been made that our government also United States citizens held by Axis coun- There was no objection. interned German Americans and tries; Mr. CONYERS. I yield myself such Italian Americans during World War II. Whereas some of these Latin Americans of time as I may consume. Our distinguished colleague on Judici- Japanese descent were deported to Axis Born of war hysteria and racial prej- countries to enable the United States to con- ary, ROBERT WEXLER of Florida, has duct prisoner exchanges; udice, Executive Order 9066 would come worked for years to bring to light this Whereas during World War II, the United to represent a stain on America’s rep- forgotten group of people who also suf- States Government deemed as ‘‘enemy utation for fairness and justice. fered the plight of internment. aliens’’ more than 600,000 Italian-born and 128,000 Japanese Americans were or- This resolution also resolves that 300,000 German-born United States resident dered to leave behind their entire lives Congress will review these claims to aliens and their families and required them and property and bring only the bare determine whether they too should re- to carry Certificates of Identification and necessities to an unknown place with ceive and be eligible for similar repara- limited their travel and personal property an unknown future, and they spent 3 rights; tions and apology. Whereas during World War II, the United long years in internment camps in Ari- I, of course, urge strongly the sup- States Government arrested, interned, or zona, Northern and Central California, port of this resolution, and I reserve otherwise detained thousands of European Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Arkan- the balance of my time. Americans, some remaining in custody for sas. At the conclusion of World War II, Mr. KING of Iowa. I yield myself so years after cessation of World War II hos- they attempted to return home, but much time as I may consume. tilities, and repatriated, exchanged, or de- many found that their houses were Mr. Speaker, I support House Resolu- ported European Americans, including looted and destroyed. They could not tion 1357, recognizing the significance American-born children, to European Axis find jobs to feed and shelter their prop- of the 20th anniversary of the signing nations, many to be exchanged for Ameri- cans held in those nations; erty. And, sadly, it took our govern- of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Whereas Congress enacted, with bipartisan ment nearly 50 years to formally apolo- Executive Order 9066 was signed by support, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, in gize for this serious Constitutional President Franklin Delano Roosevelt which it acknowledged the ‘‘fundamental in- mistake and offer compensation to to authorize the tragic internment of

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:43 Jul 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JY7.081 H29JYPT1 smartinez on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE July 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7229 Japanese Americans at the beginning months after the Japanese had at- erations resist succumbing to the poli- of World War II. In 1942 President Roo- tacked Pearl Harbor, very much the tics of fear. sevelt authorized the Army to evacuate same scenario, from a national appre- It took nearly three decades before more than 100,000 Japanese Americans hension standpoint, as we had just post the government began to acknowledge from the Pacific Coast States, includ- September 11, 2001. this failure. President Gerald Ford for- ing Washington, Oregon, California and And so I think history should not mally rescinded Executive Order 9066 Arizona. This grossly broad approach judge our ancestors harshly. We should on February 19, 1976. And shortly after, to maintaining America’s security seek to learn from these examples of Congress passed legislation which was serves as a continuing reminder that history within two contexts; one con- signed by President Jimmy Carter on the civil rights of American citizens text being looking back upon it, and July 31, 1980. should never be lost, even in the midst another context would be try to place The bill established the Commission of the chaos of war. ourselves into the shoes of the people on Wartime Relocation and internment President Roosevelt authorized the that had to make the decisions in that of civilians. Its charge was to inves- mass expulsion and incarceration of environment. tigate the internment of Japanese Japanese Americans by signing Execu- I am convinced that Franklin Delano Americans and legal resident aliens tive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942. He Roosevelt had the best interest of during World War II. took this ill-fated action, even though, America in mind. I think he was very After hearing from over 750 wit- in the words of Stetson Conn, a histo- afraid that there would be some lost in- nesses, over 20 days of hearings, the rian with the Army’s Office of Military telligence. That was the mind set of Commission published a report entitled History, he said, ‘‘The only responsible the time. Personal Justice Denied. And I might commander who backed the War De- But we have come a long, long way say that for many of these individuals, partment’s mass evacuation plan as a since then, Mr. Speaker, and so far that was the first time they ever measure required by military neces- that one of our most important trading talked about the internment. The Commission concluded that Ex- sity, was the President himself, as partners is Japan. One of our most im- ecutive Order 9066 was not justified by Commander-in-Chief.’’ Even Attorney portant strategic partners is Japan. military necessity. It went on to find General Francis Biddle and FBI Direc- We have come so far that my father, that the decision to issue the order was tor J. Edgar Hoover advised against it. who spent 21⁄2 years in the South Pa- shaped by race prejudice, war hysteria That tragic misuse of power was met cific and forbid rice to be in our house- and a failure of political leadership. hold, this young man had dinner with with an equally powerful response but, Because of these compelling findings, the Minister of Defense of Japan 60 unfortunately, much too late. Congress passed the Civil Liberties Act In 1976 President Gerald Ford issued years later. This Nation has many of 1988 with bipartisan support. The bill Proclamation 4417, in which he said, times shaken hands across the Pacific granted reparations for interned Japa- ‘‘Learning from our mistakes is not with our good friends in Japan. And nese Americans. It also formally ac- pleasant, but as a great philosopher this resolution that is before us today knowledged the fundamental injustices once admonished, we must do so if we acknowledges the history and says that resulting from the Executive Order, want to avoid repeating them. I call if we had it to do over again we would apologized on behalf of the people of upon the American people to affirm have done it differently. But it also the United States for those injustices, with me this American promise, that builds upon it so we can expand our re- and vowed to discourage similar injus- we have learned from the tragedy of lationships with our good friends, the tices and violations of civil liberties in that long ago experience forever to Japanese. the future. treasure, we have learned that we I reserve the balance of my time. And today, 20 years later, we can re- should forever treasure liberty and jus- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I now affirm this commitment because of one tice for each individual American, and recognize the distinguished gentlelady of the darkest periods of our Nation’s resolve that this kind of action shall from California, DORIS MATSUI, who history, we learned of the damage that never again be repeated. has picked up the baton from her late can be done when we let the politics of Congress eventually enacted the Civil husband, who formerly represented fear cloud our judgment. Liberties Act of 1988, which this resolu- California from the same district, for Our efforts to preserve this painful tion before us recognizes. It apologized as much time as she may consume. period of our country’s history con- on behalf of the Nation for ‘‘funda- Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank tinue to this day. Many of my col- mental violations of the basic civil lib- the chairman for yielding me time and leagues are working to support intern- erties and constitutional rights of I rise in support of H. Res. 1357. ment site preservation as a physical re- these individuals of Japanese ances- Mr. Speaker, on August 10, 2008, this minder of past inequality. It is impor- try.’’ Nation will acknowledge the 20th anni- tant that future generations will be President Ronald Reagan signed that versary of the signing of the Civil Lib- able to visit the internment camps to action into law on August 10, 1988, pro- erties Act. This anniversary is an op- gain understanding of the burdens of claiming it a great day for America. 20 portunity for all Americans to appre- past generations that have allowed us years later we stand here today to ciate our Nation’s willingness to admit to live in a free and just society today. renew our Nation’s commitment to re- and remedy its past mistakes, and for But there is still work to be done. member the past, and to shepherd its Americans to learn from these past During the interviews the Commission lessons into the future. mistakes. We must never forget that discovered efforts of the United States I have in the past, and I would again from past injustice can come great Government during World War II to re- today, Mr. Speaker, address the subject awakening. And today, we remember locate and intern approximately 2,300 matter of how we should understand the past to preserve our future free- Latin Americans of Japanese descent. history. And quite often I find that we, doms. These individuals were not only taken in this Congress, are judging our ances- On February 19, 1942, President from their country to be interned in tors with contemporary values and try- Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Execu- another country, but they were also ex- ing put their actions into a modern tive Order 9066, which led to intern- changed for United States citizens held context, rather than for us to try to ment of over 120,000 Americans of Japa- by axis nations. understand the context in which they nese descent, including my mother and Additionally, the government classi- made those decisions. my father, my grandparents, my aunts fied German-born and Italian-born im- And even though I have made the and my uncles and all their friends. migrants as enemy aliens and required case that J. Edgar Hoover advised During that moment, our government, them to carry identification. They re- against and the Attorney General ad- at all levels, was blinded by war and stricted their property rights and trav- vised against, Franklin Delano Roo- made decisions that are contrary to el rights during this time period and sevelt did go ahead with the Executive our Constitution. arrested, interned and detained thou- Order that began the internment of The failure of each branch of govern- sands of European Americans. 100,000 or more Japanese Americans ment to uphold the rights of individ- All of those who suffered from mis- here in the United States. It was just uals must be taught so that future gen- guided government policies during

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:43 Jul 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JY7.085 H29JYPT1 smartinez on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE H7230 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 29, 2008 World War II deserve to have their sto- b 1545 I yield him as much time as he may ries come to light. Their experience It was an interesting time to be on consume. should be fully recognized and pre- that Commission to hear the accounts Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. I served for future generations to learn of so many who had gone through that thank my friend from Michigan who from. experience and to learn that history then and now has been a leader in the I hope every American will take this can be a strange and often an experi- effort to protect the civil liberties anniversary to reaffirm their commit- ence that brings you surprises. which are so important to us. ment to our Constitution and the For instance, a great civil libertarian I had the distinct honor of standing rights and protections it guarantees all in his future years, Earl Warren, as At- on this floor and presenting that bill as of us. This commitment is a way to torney General and Governor of the chairman of the subcommittee, and I prevent such injustice from ever be- State of California, was probably the remember today the emotion I felt coming a reality again. strongest advocate for the executive then and feel now when I read the As you look back on a time in our order. In his later years, he accepted words ‘‘on behalf of the Nation, Con- Nation’s history and how our country responsibility for that mistake. gress apologizes.’’ has responded since, we should have Among the top counsels of govern- The ability to admit a mistake is a hope for the future. ment of the Roosevelt administration, sign of greatness, and I felt privileged I urge my colleagues to support this there was one individual who stood out then that we did it. resolution. from the others who opposed the execu- People have talked about the lessons, and they are important. And we should Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I tive order and believed it was unneces- draw on some of them. would like to yield as much time as he sary and, frankly, overreaching. That One is that abandoning your prin- may consume to the gentleman from person was, interestingly enough, J. ciples in the face of a threat is a temp- California (Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN). Edgar Hoover. J. Edgar Hoover said, tation which ought to be resisted. It’s Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of Cali- ‘‘We don’t need to bring all of these Japanese nationals and Japanese easier for us today than it was in 1948 fornia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of to be very critical of those who locked the bill. Twenty years ago I was privi- Americans away from the coastline. We don’t need to have any camps to hold up our former colleagues Bob Matsui leged to be the only Member of Con- and Norm Mineta and many, many gress selected to serve on the commis- these people in and their families.’’ He said, ‘‘We think we have sufficient in- other totally innocent Americans, sion that was referred to just a mo- Americans of Japanese descent, but ment ago, and I served as the vice telligence for those who may be reason- able suspects and we can just con- we’re talking about Americans, people chairman of that commission. born in this country, American citi- I accepted appointment to that com- centrate on that.’’ And that was re- jected by the national leadership on a zens. mission because, as someone who grew But at the time, the notion that the up in Southern California, born shortly bipartisan basis except for one place, Hawaii. The executive order was not security of the Nation trumped every- after World War II, I was one of those thing else looked like a pretty good ar- many Californians who, frankly, grew carried out in Hawaii because the mili- tary leader in Hawaii, when he received gument. J. Edgar Hoover was right, but up knowing very little, if anything, he wasn’t running for office; Earl War- about the treatment of Japanese na- the order, responded back to Wash- ington that it would basically cripple ren was. Franklin Roosevelt was. Very tionals and Japanese Americans during few elected officials stood up against World War II. the workforce in Hawaii. And so in Hawaii we had the only that. And that’s one of the lessons we And yet I was from an area in which place where they followed the sugges- ought to draw. we had a mature Japanese American tion of J. Edgar Hoover not to round up It is much too easy to give in to the community on Terminal Island prior to everybody because of their ethnicity. temptation to say, ‘‘Well, we’re in World War II. When I grew up, Ter- And the only reason I bring this up is trouble. Protections of individual minal Island was actually part of the that it is so easy for us to look forward rights, civil liberties, they’re for the Navy complex in the San Pedro Bay, and say we will never repeat anything good times.’’ And obviously, there are the Long Beach part of San Pedro Bay. like that and only this group would do some analogies to today. Now, things There was nothing left of the Japanese that, and that group wouldn’t do that, are much better today. We haven’t community on Terminal Island at the and that leadership wouldn’t do that, done today anything like that. But time I was born and at the time I was but this leadership would. And you will there are lessons still that we have to growing up. find when you go back in history, look at. And while there were many Japanese under the pressure and stress of a Another is that if you are going to Americans in our community, there threat, sometimes we do things that we try to protect yourself, as you have a was not much discussion of what took ought not to do. right to do, don’t do it en masse, don’t place during World War II. On a num- So I appreciate the kindness of the say there is this whole group of people, ber of occasions, there was an attempt gentlelady from California. In fact, it and we’re not going to stop and decide to bring up a Commission, and finally, was her husband, among others, who whether this or that individual did we garnered enough votes to support convinced me they ought to actually something wrong; we’re going to look the commission with the idea that it sit on that Commission. And I think at some essential characteristic of was important for us, not only to ac- that it is extremely important for us to their being, and on that basis we’re knowledge what went on during World not only remember what happened 20 going to penalize them. We’re going to War II and have a historic examination years ago but more importantly what restrict them. We’re going to segregate of what occurred there, but as impor- happened some 60 years ago and to them. tantly, if not most importantly, it was take lessons out of that that will help Now, obviously, being locked up in a a concern of mine and other members us ensure that we don’t repeat those camp for years is a far, far greater of the Commission that we have a con- mistakes in the future no matter what wrong than not being able to fly on an tinuing remembrance of that experi- our political philosophy, no matter airplane. But the fact that it was much ence, not to sort of wallow in the mis- what our political identification. worse to lock people up doesn’t justify takes that were made in the past and I think this is a very worthy bill that us restricting people’s travel rights be- to point our finger back at a previous we have here today. I thank the gen- cause of the ethnic group they belong generation, but rather to try and ex- tleman for his time. to or because of a mass fear. tract lessons from that experience so Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am So yes, we should be proud of having that it would provide us an under- proud to now recognize the gentleman realized this mistake. Talk about his- standing of how we made mistakes from Massachusetts (Mr. FRANK), who tory. I was in college in the 1950s when there, and provide us an opportunity to at the time was chairman of the Sub- I read the case, I think it was learn from that, such that we would committee on Judiciary that first re- Korematsu, in which the U.S. Supreme not make similar mistakes in the fu- ported out the measure that we con- Court said it was perfectly constitu- ture. sider today. tional to do what was done. And I was

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:43 Jul 30, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29JY7.086 H29JYPT1 smartinez on PROD1PC64 with HOUSE July 29, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7231 appalled. I was a college junior, and I see that millions of people breathe free Our Government made a mistake when it ig- said, ‘‘Boy, this is my country. I didn’t air today because of the prices that nored the civil liberties of Japanese Americans know we did things like this.’’ were paid. And there’s never been a war during World War II. That is why passage of And I came here eager to participate that’s been fought without mistakes. the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided in its undoing, and I felt I was very There’s been mistakes in judgment and for a formal apology from the Government, lucky to be chairman of the sub- in political judgment and military mis- along with compensation to the victims, still committee, along with my colleague calculations, and lives have been lost resonates strongly with us today. The signifi- from California who was then on the over and over again in those mis- cance and meaning of this legislation allowed Judiciary Committee, Mr. LUNGREN, to calculations. But we had to find ways our community to move forward. be able to bring that bill forward. But to persevere and we have. Redress would not have happened without I also understand that I had the benefit And what came out of World War II the work of many leaders in the Japanese of hindsight. I had the easy decision to was the United States emerged as a American community. Senator DANIEL INOUYE, make. global power. Our industry was the Senator Spark Matsunaga, then Congressman As we legitimately congratulate our- most powerful industry in the world, Norm Mineta and Congressman Bob Matsui selves today for having recognized 20 unchallenged, because ours was not de- were integral to ensuring that the Civil Lib- years ago a mistake that we made 65 stroyed and the carnage that visited erties Act moved forward. years ago, let’s leave a little energy for the competing ideology, so to speak. I would also like to acknowledge the role resolving that we don’t do it again. And our currency became the currency played by the Japanese American Citizens Let’s, as we talk about the folly of 1943, of the world, and American-made prod- League, the oldest and largest Asian Amer- be very determined not to repeat it ucts became dominant throughout the ican civil rights organization in the United even in a smaller measure and with world. The American culture spread States, and a group I have a long history of fewer people. throughout the world. And our sense of involvement with. The JACL worked hard to- I believe that we have had govern- freedom and our language and our civ- wards achieving redress, and recently passed ment policies in the past couple of ilization rose up to be predominant. a resolution also commemorating the 20th an- years since the terrible mass murders And it was unchallenged at that time niversary of the passage of redress at their of 2001 that have also failed to live up until such time as the Soviet Union National Convention in Salt Lake City. I com- to our ideals of protecting individuals. was quickly formed and came up mend the JACL for their dedication to our Not on the same scale, I acknowledge against the United States. And we saw community. that, and I think it’s a mark of the Cold War begin within years of the Our country draws strength and greatness progress. But let’s do what we can from Second World War. That fought for 40 from our ability to acknowledge and remedy this day forward so that no one 20 to 45 years, and our way of life suc- past mistakes—a virtue that has not only ben- years later or 40 years later has to ceeded. efited the Japanese American community but apologize to any extent because we let All of that flowed out of something has shaped me as a policymaker. Despite our our legitimate need for self-defense di- that had some mistakes along the way. flaws, the United States is looked upon as the minish us from our principles. And anyone that’s ever done anything nation with the strongest and fairest form of Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I in life knows that there are mistakes, government. yield myself such time as I may con- whether you raised a family or fought Recognizing and commemorating the signifi- sume. a war or started a business or entered cance of the 20th anniversary of the signing of I appreciate the remarks from the into public life. All of us made mis- the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 is still meaning- gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. takes along the way, but I do not be- ful and relevant today, as this resolution reaf- FRANK), and particularly we do have lieve that we carry guilt from pre- firms our commitment as a nation to equal jus- the benefit of hindsight; and I don’t ceding generations. tice under the law. know that there is a generation that’s But we do have a responsibility. If we I yield back the balance of my time. compelled to apologize for a previous fail to learn, then we would carry guilt The SPEAKER pro tempore. The generation or its ancestors. And I ourselves if we fail to learn from those question is on the motion offered by would question the real value of de- actions of our ancestors whom today the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. scendents of people who had to make we judge to be wrong. And I do believe CONYERS) that the House suspend the decisions in that context apologizing they were wrong, and I do support this rules and agree to the resolution, H. for their actions. resolution. And I support it with the Res. 1357, as amended. And I look across at some of these spirit that I have articulated here. The question was taken. that we’ve done. I remember President I would reserve the balance of my The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Clinton apologizing to Africa for slav- time. opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being ery—and we have a resolution that’s Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, we have in the affirmative, the ayes have it. going to come up for a vote a little bit no further requests for time, and I Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I ob- later on slavery—and I regret those yield back the remainder of our time. ject to the vote on the ground that a things. I would point out that if indeed Mr. KING of Iowa. I’m going to pass quorum is not present and make the these are the sins of our fathers, up the opportunity for the last word point of order that a quorum is not they’re not necessarily visited upon because I have had it. I would urge the present. the sons and daughters unto the second adoption. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- or third generation and that we should Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the learn from history. And we do have the celebrate the passage of H. Res. 1357, which Chair’s prior announcement, further opportunity to be Monday morning commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the proceedings on this motion will be quarterbacks, to have the perspective signing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This postponed. of hindsight, as the gentleman from law officially acknowledged the ‘‘fundamental The point of no quorum is considered Massachusetts said. I definitely agree injustices’’ that resulted from Executive Order withdrawn. with that emotion that’s there and 9066, which authorized the exclusion and in- that thought process. ternment of Japanese Americans during World f But I would caution us that I am War II. watching us move down a path of In 1942, some 120,000 people of Japanese REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER apologizing for one thing and another, ancestry were rounded up and sent to intern- AS COSPONSOR OF H. RES. 1361 and I’m not watching us stop and give ment camps by the United States Govern- Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I request thanks for the wonderful and noble ment—not out of military necessity, but as a unanimous consent that my name be things that this country has done. And result of racial prejudice, war hysteria, and the removed as a cosponsor of House Reso- I think when we look across the globe failure of political leadership. Families were lution 1361. at the results of that great effort of torn apart and property was lost. My family ex- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there World War II, that wonderful victory of perienced this injustice first-hand, and I spent objection to the request of the gentle- the Greatest Generation that this part of my childhood at the Amache intern- woman from California? country has ever produced, that we can ment camp in Colorado. There was no objection.

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