August 3, 1988

              H6314
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE
August 4- 1988
It is Imperative "that we give this conference
report our overwhelming support and never
again allow the •constitutional -rights of any
group of citizens to be swept away by the
powerful tides of prejudice and irrationality.
Mr. LEHMAN of California. I join my colleagues in support of the conference report
on H.R. 442, the Civil Liberties -Act, legislation
to provide reparation to Japanese-Americans
and Alaskan Aleuts who were forced into relocation camps during World War II. As a co-
sponsor of H.R. 442, I would like to offer my
congratulations to the Members who have
worked so Jong and hard to perfect this long-
awaited legislation.
It has taken us 46 years to correct this terrible injustice against a small group of people,
most of whom were American citizens, and
whose only crime was to be of Japanese ancestry. We have all been told many times, by
many different Members, and in very eloquent
terms during the lengthy debate on this legislation of the grave injustice and serious
breach of constitutional rights that was committed against over 110,000 Americans of
Japanese ancestry.
We are all well aware of the circumstances
which led up to the actions by our Government and the justification which was given for
the relocation policy. With the usual historical
hindsight, we now know that there was no
military necessity for removing Japanese-
Americans -from the -west coast, and that there
was not a single documented act of espionage or sabotage committed against the
United States Government by a Japanese-
American.
We all know that Executive Order 9066
giving the Secretary or War the authority to -
implement the relocation 'policy was the result
of war hysteria, cross .failure of political leadership, and Tacism, and it -was the beginning
of one of the most shameful chapters in the
history of the United States.
We know that for over 110,000 individuals
the action resulted in the forfeiture of property, the loss of 3 years of their lives removed
from the mainstream of the American economy and society, and the loss of countless and
unknown opportunities that would never come
to those who were relocated.
We also know of the significant contributions which Japanese-American soldiers were
making in both the.European and Pacific military theaters. No one could question the patriotism and loyalty of the Americans who
formed the famous 442d Regimental Combat
Team, which remains as the most highly
decorated unit of its size in United States military history, nor that of the Japanese-Americans who served in the Pacific as interpreters
and helped to shorten that war effort
Finally, we know of the terrible memories
that the survivors of the relocation camps
have had to carry-for the past 46 years. There
has been the silent suffering that many of the
Issei, the first generation immigrants, have
had to endure. There has been the personal
conflict which their children, the Nisei, have
had to overcome in speaking out forcefully to
address the issue—the conflict which good
friends and colleagues like Norm Mineta and
"Bob Matsui have-so eloquently shared with
us.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 442 cannot diminish the
tragedy of this unfortunate event nor can it
wipe from the memories of the survivors and
their families the emotional scars that remain.
It is, however, an important step in helping
to ease the pain of this shameful episode in
the history of the country, and it should serve
as a reminder of how easily men and governments can make wrong decisions. Finally, it
serves to show the respect we all have for the
contributions that Japanese-Americans have
made to our society.
As a California native I am well aware of the
contributions-which Japanese-Americans have
made to the State and Nation as a whole. I
grew up in a small San Joaquin Valley farm
community where the Japanese-American
families flourished and were just as large a
part of the community as were German-Americans, Italian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans,
and Armenian-Americans.
H.R. 442 Js a responsible and just bill, and it
is an appropriate reflection of the shared responsibility that we have as a community and
Nation. We can stand proud in approving this
legislation today.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois Mr. Speaker, when
H."R. 442 was first before the House on September 17, 1987, I considered the reaction
that -we might be facing rf the same terrible
events that were perpetrated on the Nisei
Japanese-Americans in 1941 were visited
upon the Irish, Dutch, Italians, and other
ethnic groups and I concluded the hue and
cry would be great and that this bill would
have sailed right through Congress.
I consequently voted "yes" and since that
time have had time to further review that vote
and to consider a considerable amount of mail
objecting to that vote. I have now reached the
conclusion while I still deplore that black day
in American history I have also further considered that until the United States Government
comes to grips with its past policies and treatment of American Indians, blacks, and other
-ethnic and legally deprived minorities it is not
fair to start with the Japanese-Americans but
Tather in some historical sequence.
I am also mindfulthat the term "representa-
-tive" means to represent and while no one
has sought my '^yes" vote on this bill a large
-number of constituents phoned, wrote, anrl
•verbally communicated their opposition to this
measure.
~ i tfierefore have decided to reverse myself
and vote 'tip" onlhe conference committee
-Teporton H.R*. 442.
.Ms. PELOSI, Mr. Speaker, Americans of
Japanese ancestry have suffered enough. For
-45 years, Japanese-Americans have sought
■redress for the injustice of their internment. .It
is time that we act to Tectify that injustice by
passing the conference report on H.R. 442
and sending-ft on to the President
Solely because of their Japanese ancestry
and heritage, 120,000 loyal Americans were
forced to leave their homes to go to Govern-
•ment internment camps during World War II.
They lost their houses, their farms, their businesses, and their dignity. The stress experienced by individuals and families caused
untold damage to these Americans. It is up to
this Nation to ensure that these losses are
adequately redressed.
No piece of legislation can repay the losses
and the harm caused by this relocation. However/by providing compensation and a formal
national apology, this bill takes important
steps in that direction.
Mr. Speaker, this country was founded on
the principle-that civil and constitutional nghts
are not the privilege of a few, but a guarantee
to all citizens. Our judicial system was established to-proiect those rights; to guard against
the tyranny of the majority. During World War
II, we failed in that vigilance and tyranny
ensued. The victims were productive, patriotic
Americans of Japanese ancestry.
In compensating these victims of our inhumanity, we will reaffirm our dedication to the
principles on which this Nation was founded.
Let us learn from past mistakes so that loyal
Americans will never again suffer the indignity
of forced internment I urge my colleagues to
pass this conference report and 1o see that
justice is done.
At this time, I would like to make special
reference to the people in my district of San
Francisco who have worked so hard for the
passage of this report
I am proud to represent a district in which I
work closely with many Japanese-American
leaders—survivors of the camps and their
sons and daughters who, despite the racism
and adversity they endured, continue to express a firm commitment to constitutional principles.
I am also proud to represent citizens who
have successfully led the coram nobis efforts
to overturn the Korematsu, Hirabayshi, and
Yasui cases. They have proven that patriotism, commitment to democracy, and a belief
in a free society are not determined by race or
ethnic origin, but are held within the heart, the
mind, and the soul.
Mr. FRANK Mr. Speaker, I move
the previous question on the conference report.
The previous question was ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr.
Mtjrtha). The question is on the conference report.
The question was taken; and the
Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. FRENZEL. Mr. Speaker, I object
to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the
point of order that a quorum is not
present.        	
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evidently a quorum is not present.
The Sergeant at Arms will notify
absent Members.
The vote was taken by electronic
device, and there were—yeas 257, nays
156, not voting 18, as follows:
[Roll No. 264]
YEAS—257
AcKerman
Brennan
Dannemeyer
Akaka
Brooks
■Davis (Ml)
Alexander
Broomiieid
de ia Garza
Anderson
Brown (CA)
DeFazio
Andrews
urown (CO)
Deilams
Annunzio
Brace
DeWine
Anthony
Bryant
Dicks
Atkins
Bus tam ante
Dingell
AuCoin
Campbell
Dixon
Badham
Cardin
Donnelly
Bates
Can-
Daman (CA)
Beilenson
Chandler
.Downey
Bennett
Cheney
"Dreier
Bereuter
Clay
Duroin
Bennan
Clinger
-Dwyer
Bilbray
Coelho-^
Dymally
Boehlert
Coleman CTX)
■Early
Boggs
Collins
Ecfcart
Boland
Conte
Edwards (CA)
Bonior
Conyers
Edwards (OK)
Bonker
Coughlin
Evans
Boraki
Courter
Fascell
TBosco
Coyne
Fazio
Boucher
Craig
Feighan
Boxer
Crockett
Pish