Bill > SR8687

This resolution acknowledges the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, a directive signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, which led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast during World War II, including 12,000 Washington state residents. The resolution highlights the unjust nature of this policy, noting that a congressional commission later found no military necessity for the internment, attributing it instead to racial prejudice, war hysteria, and political failure, which resulted in significant economic loss and psychological harm to Japanese Americans. It also recognizes the bravery and patriotism of Japanese American soldiers, such as those in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, who served despite their families being held in internment camps, and the activism of individuals like Gordon Hirabayashi who challenged discriminatory orders. The resolution further acknowledges the subsequent legislative efforts, including the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which provided reparations and an apology, and emphasizes the ongoing message of the Japanese American community, "Nidoto Nai Yoni - Let it Not Happen Again," as a call for equity and justice. Finally, it calls for remembrance of Japanese American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights activists from Washington state and for reflection on the meaning of "liberty and justice for all."