HR1492DEC8

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Week Ending December 8, 2006

H.R.1492 To provide for the preservation of the historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II, and for other purposes.

An ongoing saga of national security interests versus personal privacy during WW II continues with this bill that would create in the National Park Service a program to identify, protect and acquire for historic confinement, sites where Japanese-Americans were detained during WW II. The Congressional Research Service concludes that the purpose of preserving the sites is one of gaining inspiration from them and as a demonstration of equal justice.

Local and other governments and private non-profits, public entities, educational institutions will be looked to for criteria for making grants to preserve the sites. Federal funds can be used to purchase private property if it is relevant to the program but federal funds would require a 50% non-federal matching grant. Criteria for awarding a grant would be determined by the Secretary of Interior.

The bill explains that tens of thousands of Japanese-Americans were confined to relocation camps due to then President Roosevelt’s executive Order 9066 of 1942 giving the Secretary of War the authority to exclude any and all persons from areas fo the country considered vital for national security. 113,000, 2.3rds were American citizens were relocated from the West coast to interior areas of the country. Thousands of those interred signed up for the military and one battalion, the 100^th of the 442^nd Regiment was primarily Japanese-American and was the most decorated unit of its size in American history.

Non-federal property at four consignment sites will be acquired: Jerome and Rohwer (AR), Topaz (Utah) and Honolulu (HI). Tow other units are already protected. They are Mansanar National Historic Site (CA) and Minikoka National Monument (ID).

Sponsor: Rep. William M. Thomas (R-CA-22^nd)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote November 16, 2006. Passed Senate amended by Unanimous Consent December 5, 2006. Passed House as amended December 6, 2006.

Cost to the taxpayers: “the act would authorize the appropriation of $38 million. Assuming appropriation of the authorized amount, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1492 would cost $38 million over the 2007-2011 period”

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MORE INFORMATION

Organizations to be consulted with regarding grant criteria include:

the Japanese American National Heritage Coalition; the Go For Broke Educational Foundation and the Go For Broke National Veterans Association; Japanese American Citizens League; Japanese American National Museum; Japanese American Veterans Association; National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium; National Japanese American Historical Society; National Japanese American Memorial Foundation; National Japanese American Veterans Council; Organization of Chinese Americans; Amache Preservation Society; Committee to Change `Jap' Road, TX; Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project, WA; Denver Central Optimists; Colorado River Indian Tribes; Friends of California Civil Liberties Public Education Program; Gila Reunion Committee; Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation; Japanese American Service Committee, Chicago, IL; Japanese American Historical Society, San Diego, CA; Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i; Life Interrupted Program (Arkansas Camps); Nisei Farmers League, CA; Poston Restoration Project; Topaz Museum Board, UT; Tule Lake Preservation Committee; and Zavala County Historical Commission.

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