IB 
Union Calendar No. 396 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 42 
[Report No. 111–666] 
To establish a fact-finding Commission to extend the study of a prior Commis-
sion to investigate and determine facts and circumstances surrounding 
the relocation, internment, and deportation to Axis countries of Latin 
Americans of Japanese descent from December 1941 through February 
1948, and the impact of those actions by the United States, and to 
recommend appropriate remedies, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 6, 2009 
Mr. BECERRA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary 
NOVEMBER 30, 2010 
Additional sponsors: Mr. HONDA, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. 
SABLAN, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. ISSA, Ms. JACKSON LEE of 
Texas, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. DANIEL E. 
LUNGREN of California, Mr. STARK, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. 
BERMAN, and Mr. PIERLUISI 
NOVEMBER 30, 2010 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 6, 2009] 
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A BILL 
To establish a fact-finding Commission to extend the study 
of a prior Commission to investigate and determine facts 
and circumstances surrounding the relocation, intern-
ment, and deportation to Axis countries of Latin Ameri-
cans of Japanese descent from December 1941 through 
February 1948, and the impact of those actions by the 
United States, and to recommend appropriate remedies, 
and for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Commission on Wartime 
Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese 
Descent Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Based on a preliminary study pub-
lished in December 1982 by the Commission on Wartime 
Relocation and Internment of Civilians, Congress finds the 
following: 
(1) During World War II, the United States ex-
panded its internment program and national security 
investigations to conduct the program and investiga-
tions in Latin America. 
(2) Approximately 2,300 men, women, and chil-
dren of Japanese descent were relocated from their 
homes in Latin America, detained in internment 
camps in the United States, and in some cases, de-
ported to Axis countries to enable the United States 
to conduct prisoner exchanges. 
(3) The Commission on Wartime Relocation and 
Internment of Civilians studied Federal actions con-
ducted pursuant to Executive Order 9066 (relating to 
authorizing the Secretary of War to prescribe mili-
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tary areas). Although the United States program of 
interning Latin Americans of Japanese descent was 
not conducted pursuant to Executive Order 9066, an 
examination of that extraordinary program is nec-
essary to establish a complete account of Federal ac-
tions to detain and intern civilians of enemy or for-
eign nationality, particularly of Japanese descent. Al-
though historical documents relating to the program 
exist in distant archives, the Commission on Wartime 
Relocation and Internment of Civilians did not re-
search those documents. 
(4) Latin American internees of Japanese de-
scent were a group not covered by the Civil Liberties 
Act of 1988 (50 U.S.C. App. 1989b et seq.), which for-
mally apologized and provided compensation pay-
ments to Japanese Americans interned pursuant to 
Executive Order 9066. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to establish 
a fact-finding commission to extend the study of the Com-
mission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civil-
ians to investigate and determine facts and circumstances 
surrounding the relocation, internment, and deportation to 
Axis countries of Latin Americans of Japanese descent from 
December 1941 through February 1948, and the impact of 
those actions by the United States, and to recommend ap-
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filled in the same manner as the original appointment was 
made. 
(d) MEETINGS.— 
(1) FIRST MEETING.—The President shall call 
the first meeting of the Commission not later than the 
later of— 
(A) 60 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act; or 
(B) 30 days after the date of the enactment 
of legislation making appropriations to carry 
out this Act. 
(2) SUBSEQUENT
MEETINGS.—Except as pro-
vided in paragraph (1), the Commission shall meet at 
the call of the Chairperson of the Commission. 
(e) QUORUM.—Five members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
hold hearings. 
(f) CHAIRPERSON
AND
VICE
CHAIRPERSON.—The 
Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson 
from among its members. The Chairperson and Vice Chair-
person shall serve for the life of the Commission. 
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 
(1) extend the study of the Commission on War-
time Relocation and Internment of Civilians, estab-
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lished by the Commission on Wartime Relocation and 
Internment of Civilians Act— 
(A) to investigate and determine the facts 
and circumstances surrounding the relocation, 
internment, and deportation to Axis countries, 
by the United States, of Latin Americans of Jap-
anese descent during the period beginning De-
cember 7, 1941, and ending February 28, 1948, 
and the impact of those actions by the United 
States; and 
(B) in investigating those facts and cir-
cumstances, to review directives of the United 
States Armed Forces and the Department of 
State, and other relevant information and docu-
ments, relating to the relocation, detention in in-
ternment camps, and deportation to Axis coun-
tries of Latin Americans of Japanese descent; 
and 
(2) recommend appropriate remedies, if any, 
based on the findings of the Commission and the pre-
liminary findings by the Commission on Wartime 
Relocation and Internment of Civilians. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the first meeting of the Commission pursuant to section 
3(d)(1), the Commission shall submit a written report to 
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the Congress containing the findings resulting from the in-
vestigation conducted under subsection (a)(1) and any rec-
ommendations described in subsection (a)(2). 
SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission or, at its direction, 
any subcommittee or member of the Commission, may, for 
the purpose of carrying out this Act— 
(1) hold such public hearings in such cities and 
countries, sit and act at such times and places, take 
such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer 
such oaths as the Commission or such subcommittee 
or member considers advisable; and 
(2) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attend-
ance and testimony of such witnesses and the produc-
tion of such books, records, correspondence, memo-
randa, papers, documents, tapes, and materials as the 
Commission or such subcommittee or member con-
siders advisable. 
(b) ISSUANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF SUBPOENAS.— 
(1) ISSUANCE.—Subpoenas issued under sub-
section (a) shall be approved by a majority of the 
members present at a meeting, shall bear the signa-
ture of the Chairperson of the Commission, and shall 
be served by any person or class of persons designated 
by the Chairperson for that purpose. 
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(2) ENFORCEMENT.—In the case of contumacy or 
failure to obey a subpoena issued under subsection 
(a), the United States district court for the judicial 
district in which the person who is served the sub-
poena resides, is served, or may be found may issue 
an order requiring such person to appear at any des-
ignated place to testify or to produce documentary or 
other evidence required by the subpoena. Any failure 
to obey the order of the court may be punished by the 
court as a contempt of that court. 
(c) WITNESS ALLOWANCES AND FEES.—Section 1821 
of title 28, United States Code, shall apply to witnesses re-
quested or required by subpoena to appear at any hearing 
of the Commission. The per diem and mileage allowances 
provided under such section for witnesses shall be paid from 
funds available to pay the expenses of the Commission. 
(d) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The 
Commission may secure directly from any Federal depart-
ment or agency such information as the Commission con-
siders necessary to perform its duties. Upon request of the 
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of such depart-
ment or agency shall furnish such information to the Com-
mission. 
(e) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use the 
United States mails in the same manner and under the 
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same conditions as other departments and agencies of the 
Federal Government. 
SEC. 6. PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
(a) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the Commis-
sion shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of 
agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code, while away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of their duties for the Com-
mission. 
(b) STAFF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the Com-
mission may, without regard to the civil service laws 
and regulations, appoint and terminate the employ-
ment of such personnel as may be necessary to enable 
the Commission to perform its duties. 
(2) COMPENSATION.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission may fix the compensation of the per-
sonnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter 
III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relat-
ing to classification of positions and General Schedule 
pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the per-
sonnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of 
the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such 
title. 
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