IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 129 

Recognizing the historical significance of the Merced Assembly Center to 

the Nation and the importance of establishing an appropriate memorial 

at that site to serve as a place for remembering the hardships endured 

by Japanese-Americans, so that the United States remains vigilant in 

protecting our Nation’s core values of equality, due process of law, 

justice, and fundamental fairness. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 4, 2009 

Mr. CARDOZA (for himself, Mr. COSTA, Mr. HONDA, and Ms. MATSUI) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the historical significance of the Merced Assembly Center to the Nation and the importance of establishing an appropriate memorial at that site to serve 

as a place for remembering the hardships endured by 

Japanese-Americans, so that the United States remains 

vigilant in protecting our Nation’s core values of equality, 

due process of law, justice, and fundamental fairness. 

Whereas, on February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order No. 9066, authorizing the 

forced internment of both United States citizens and 

legal residents of Japanese ancestry during World War 

II; 


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•HRES 129 IH 

Whereas in the largest single relocation of individuals in the 

history of our Nation, approximately 120,000 JapaneseAmericans were forced into internment camps by the 

United States Government in violation of their fundamental constitutional rights; 

Whereas due to this unjust internment, these JapaneseAmericans faced tremendous hardships, such as family 

separation, the loss of their homes, businesses, jobs, and 

dignity; 

Whereas following Executive Order No. 9066, JapaneseAmericans in parts of Washington, Oregon, California, 

and southern Arizona were ordered to report to assembly 

centers before being removed to more permanent war relocation centers; 

Whereas the Merced Assembly Center, located in Merced, 

California, was the reporting site for 4,669 JapaneseAmericans; 

Whereas as a young child, United States Congressman Mike 

Honda and his family were held at the Merced Assembly 

Center prior to being interned in Amache, Colorado, and 

his public career has been dedicated to educating and 

preventing this type of injustice from reoccurring; 

Whereas in 1998, then Assembly member Mike Honda authored the World War II Internment of Japanese-Americans: California Civil Liberties Public Education Act, 

which became California public law in 1999 and serves 

as an important program to educate the public about the 

internment; 

Whereas February 19th, the 67th anniversary of Executive 

Order No. 9066, is known as the Day of Remembrance; 


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•HRES 129 IH 

Whereas the Merced Assembly Center Commemorative Committee has been charged with the task of establishing a 

memorial to recognize the historic tragedy that took place 

at the Merced Assembly Center; and 

Whereas the unveiling ceremony for the memorial at the 

Merced Assembly Center will take place on February 21, 

2009: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives recog2 nizes the historical significance of the Merced Assembly 

3 Center to the Nation and the importance of establishing 

4 an appropriate memorial at that site to serve as a place 

5 for remembering the hardships endured by Japanese6 Americans, so that the United States remains vigilant in 

7 protecting our Nation’s core values of equality, due proc8 ess of law, justice, and fundamental fairness. 

Æ 


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