Mike Honda co-authors HR 1492 to help preserve World War II Japanese-American internment camps as historical sites



If passed, the House resolution would authorize $38 million in federal funds to restore and protect internment camp sites for future generations of Americans to visit, and learn about that period in the nation's history. Congressman Mike Honda of California served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador in the 1960's.

Mike Honda co-authors HR 1492 to help preserve World War II Japanese-American internment camps as historical sites

Joint resolution would preserve internment sites

$38 million sought for WWII camps where Japanese-Americans were detained

, FROM STAFF REPORTS

HAYWARD — Assemblyman Johan Klehs, D-San Leandro, is hoping a joint resolution will help preserve World War II Japanese-American internment camps as historical sites.

Klehs authored Assembly Joint Resolution 23, which encourages Congress to pass U.S. House of Representatives House Resolution 1492.

If passed, the House resolution would authorize $38 million in federal funds to restore and protect internment camp sites for future generations of Americans to visit, and learn about that period in the nation's history.

The joint resolution was approved last week by the Assembly Judiciary Committee and was passed on the Assembly Floor by a vote of 69 to 0.

"California is home to many of the 120,000 Japanese-American citizens who were taken from their homes and interned during the war," Klehs said. "Many Californians suffered in these detention centers, and we owe it to them and their families to preserve those sites and teach our children what happened there. We cannot forget this dark period in the history of our country."

HR 1492 was co-authored by state Congressman Bill Thomas, Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Congressman Mike Honda. Matsui was born in an internment camp and Honda spent his early childhood in one. The House resolution was unanimously approved by the House Resources Committee in May. It will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.

According to Klehs' office, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9006 in 1942 to authorize the establishment of internment camps for Japanese-American citizens. The camps were surrounded by barbed wire and patrolled by military police. Many of the citizens detained there lost their homes and businesses.

This bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to create a program within the National Park Service to acquire and preserve the historic camp sites.

Klehs serves the 18th Assembly District, which includes San Leandro, Hayward, Dublin, most of Castro Valley and Pleasanton, and a portion of Oakland, as well as the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo.

For more information, contact Johan Klehs' District Office at (510) 541-3055.

When this story was posted in June 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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American Taboo: A Peace Corps Tragedy Returned Volunteers met with author Philip Weiss in Baltimore on June 18 to discuss the murder of Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner. Weiss was a member of a panel that included three psychiatrists and a criminal attorney. Meanwhile, the Seattle U.S. Attorney's office announced that Dennis Priven cannot be retried for the murder. "We do not believe this case can be prosecuted by anyone, not only us, but in any other jurisdiction in the United States." Read background on the case here.

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June 16, 2005: Special Events Philip Weiss, PCV murder writer, speaks in Baltimore June 18 "Rainforests and Refugees" showing in Portland, Maine until June 25 "Iowa in Ghana" on exhibit in Waterloo through June 30 NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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June 14: Peace Corps suspends Haiti program After Uzbekistan, the Peace Corps has announced the suspension of a second program this month - this time in Haiti. Background: The suspension comes after a US Embassy warning, a request from Tom Lantos' office, and the program suspension last year. For the record: PCOL supports Peace Corps' decision to suspend the two programs and commends the agency for the efficient way PCVs were evacuated safely. Our only concern now is with the placement of evacuated PCVs and the support they receive after interrupted service.

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June 6: PC suspends Uzbekistan program Peace Corps has announced that it is suspending the Uzbekistan program after the visas of 52 Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were not renewed. The suspension comes after a State Department warning that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in Uzbekistan and after the killings in Andizhan earlier in May. Background: PCOL published a report on April 23 that Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were having visa difficulties and reported on safety and visa issues in Uzbekistan as they developed.

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