R 119
2022 -- H 7522
Enacted 02/17/2022

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

     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.
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LC004580
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