2022 -- H 7522

========

LC004580

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 46TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REVOCATION OF EXECUTIVE

ORDER 9066

     Introduced By: Representatives Fenton-Fung, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Tobon,
Chippendale, Roberts, Quattrocchi, Price, Kennedy, and Ajello

     Date Introduced: February 17, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, On February 19, 1976, President Gerald Ford signed an order prohibiting

the executive branch from ever again instituting an unjust and tragic directive such as the World

War II Executive Order 9066, and in 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued a public apology on

behalf of the United States government, and authorized reparations for former Japanese American

internees or their descendants; and

     WHEREAS, Executive Order 9066 had been issued on February 19, 1942, by President

Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had come under increasing pressure from military and political

advisors to take action after the terrifying bombing of Pearl Harbor; and

     WHEREAS, The mandate, which was in direct conflict with the Bill of Rights, had

substantial and lasting negative consequences for many Americans as it ordered the forced

removal of persons it termed to be "enemy aliens" from particular parts of the United States that

had been loosely identified as military areas, predominantly on the West Coast; and

     WHEREAS, The largest number of these detainees were Japanese Americans who were

removed en masse to Relocation Centers for the duration of the war, regardless of their American

citizenship status, length of residence, or any valid evidence of betrayal or perfidy; and

     WHEREAS, Taking only the possessions they could carry, over 100,000 loyal American

men, women, and children of Japanese ancestry were forced and confined into cramped quarters

within isolated and guarded internment camps surrounded by fencing. Many ended up losing their

businesses, farms, and loved ones as a result; and

     WHEREAS, History has proven that the sacrifices and loyalty of Japanese-Americans

with names like Hamada, Mitsumori, Marimoto, Noguchi, Yamasaki, Kido, Munemori,

Miyamura, and many others have made contributions that have provided enrichment, well-being,

and security to this nation; and

     WHEREAS, Recognition of our Country's historic mistake and breech in American

citizens' civil rights is essential so that we as a nation never again allow fear, jealously, or

prejudice to rule and that we bestow, protect, and ensure all Americans with liberty and justice;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

commemorates the 46th Anniversary of the revocation of Executive Order 9066; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Japan America Society of Rhode Island and

to the Consulate-General of Japan in Boston.

========

LC004580

========

LC004580 - Page 2 of 2