MAZIE K. HIRONO

2^ND^ DISTRICT, HAWAI\`I

\-\-\-\--

MEMBER OF CONGRESS

**Congress of the United States**

**House of Representatives**

**Washington, DC 20515**

**Statement of Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii**

**in the U.S. House of Representatives**

**In support of H.Res. 122**

**Recognizing Executive Order 9066**

**February 12, 2007**

 Ms. HIRONO. I thank the gentleman for yielding time.

   Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of House Resolution
109. Today we will be taking action on two related measures, House
Resolution 122, earlier debated, and this resolution.

   One of the lowest points in American history occurred 65 years ago
when the Constitution and civil rights of 120,000 persons of Japanese
ancestry were trampled upon by their own government. Under the cloud of
war, hysteria, false rumors and racial bigotry fueled official
misconduct that led to the uprooting of innocent aliens and citizens
alike in one of the worst wholesale infringements of constitutional
rights in the 20th century.

   As a consequence, thousands of persons of Japanese ancestry were
forced by their own government to dispose of their property, businesses,
farms and possessions for pennies on the dollar, if anything at all.
Families were split up and sent to different relocation camps.
Educations were disrupted, and careers abruptly terminated on only a few
days\' notice. Wholesale violations of basic constitutional rights were
committed in the name of national security. Yet not a single act of
sedition or espionage by any of the evacuees was ever proven in any
court of law.

   To the contrary, the historic exploits of AJA in the 100th Battalion
and 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Europe and the MIS in the Pacific
and Asia proved that patriotism was not skin deep. The psychological and
emotional pain of this experience was so deep that many evacuees never
talked about their experiences for decades.

   Many who were directly affected by the order live and work among us
still. A member of my own congressional staff, my deputy chief of staff,
Susan Kodani, was born in the Manzanar Relocation Camp. Her family was
then relocated to Michigan, ironically to permit her college-educated
father to assist in the war effort.

   Many more, of course, suffered personal losses and tragedies more
traumatic and devastating. By recognizing the historic significance of
the Pinedale Assembly Center and by observing the Day of Remembrance as
called for in earlier House Resolution 122, we say to the Nation and our
fellow citizens that America can never forget this horrible tragedy.
While it directly affected one segment of our population, the
ramifications to all Americans are profound and no less relevant today
as we wage war in Iraq.

   The constitutional rights of all Americans are in jeopardy if any
group of citizens can be persecuted without legal justification. We must
all stand vigilant and alert for any attempt by any group, whether a
small power clique or the majority of Americans, to overstep the bounds
of the law for momentary expediency or even for claims of national
security during war. The protection of our constitutional rights of all
of our citizens require continued vigilance from all of us.