(8) Millions of European Americans served in 
the armed forces and thousands sacrificed their lives 
in defense of the United States. 
(9) The wartime policies of the United States 
Government were devastating to the Italian Ameri-
cans and German American communities, individuals 
and their families. The detrimental effects are still 
being experienced. 
(10) Prior to and during World War II, the 
United States restricted the entry of Jewish refugees 
who were fleeing persecution and sought safety in 
the United States. During the 1930’s and 1940’s, 
the quota system, immigration regulations, visa re-
quirements, and the time required to process visa 
applications affected the number of Jewish refugees, 
particularly those from Germany and Austria, who 
could gain admittance to the United States. 
(11) Time is of the essence for the establish-
ment of commissions, because of the increasing dan-
ger of destruction and loss of relevant documents, 
the advanced age of potential witnesses and, most 
importantly, the advanced age of those affected by 
the United States Government’s policies. Many who 
suffered have already passed away and will never 
know of this effort.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) DURING WORLD WAR II.—The term ‘‘during 
World War II’’ refers to the period between Sep-
tember 1, 1939, through December 31, 1948. 
(2) EUROPEAN AMERICANS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘European 
Americans’’ refers to United States citizens and 
permanent resident aliens of European ances-
try, including Italian Americans, German Amer-
icans, Hungarian Americans, Romanian Ameri-
cans, and Bulgarian Americans. 
(B) 
ITALIAN
AMERICANS.—The 
term 
‘‘Italian Americans’’ refers to United States 
citizens and permanent resident aliens of 
Italian ancestry. 
(C) 
GERMAN
AMERICANS.—The 
term 
‘‘German Americans’’ refers to United States 
citizens and permanent resident aliens of Ger-
man ancestry. 
(3) EUROPEAN LATIN AMERICANS.—The term 
‘‘European Latin Americans’’ refers to persons of 
European ancestry, including Italian or German an-
cestry, residing in a Latin American nation during 
World War II.
TITLE I—COMMISSION ON WAR-
TIME TREATMENT OF EURO-
PEAN AMERICANS 
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION ON WARTIME 
TREATMENT OF EUROPEAN AMERICANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established the Commis-
sion on Wartime Treatment of European Americans (re-
ferred to in this title as the ‘‘European American Commis-
sion’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The European American Com-
mission shall be composed of 7 members, who shall be ap-
pointed not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act as follows: 
(1) Three members shall be appointed by the 
President. 
(2) Two members shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, in con-
sultation with the minority leader. 
(3) Two members shall be appointed by the ma-
jority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the 
minority leader. 
(c) TERMS.—The term of office for members shall be 
for the life of the European American Commission. A va-
cancy in the European American Commission shall not af-
fect its powers, and shall be filled in the same manner 
in which the original appointment was made. 
(d) REPRESENTATION.—The European American 
Commission shall include 2 members representing the in-
terests of Italian Americans and 2 members representing 
the interests of German Americans. 
(e) MEETINGS.—The President shall call the first 
meeting of the European American Commission not later 
than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(f) QUORUM.—Four members of the European Amer-
ican Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser 
number may hold hearings. 
(g) CHAIRMAN.—The European American Commis-
sion shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from 
among its members. The term of office of each shall be 
for the life of the European American Commission. 
(h) COMPENSATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Members of the European 
American Commission shall serve without pay. 
(2) REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.—All mem-
bers of the European American Commission shall be 
reimbursed for reasonable travel and subsistence, 
and other reasonable and necessary expenses in-
curred by them in the performance of their duties.
SEC. 102. DUTIES OF THE EUROPEAN AMERICAN COMMIS-
SION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—It shall be the duty of the Euro-
pean American Commission to review the United States 
Government’s wartime treatment of European Americans 
and European Latin Americans as provided in subsection 
(b). 
(b) SCOPE OF REVIEW.—The European American 
Commission’s review shall include the following: 
(1) A comprehensive review of the facts and cir-
cumstances surrounding United States Government 
actions during World War II that violated the civil 
liberties of European Americans and European 
Latin Americans pursuant to the Alien Enemies 
Acts (50 U.S.C. 21–24), Presidential Proclamations 
2526, 2527, 2655, 2662, Executive Orders 9066 
and 9095, and any directive of the United States 
Government pursuant to such law, proclamations, or 
executive orders respecting the registration, arrest, 
exclusion, internment, exchange, or deportment of 
European Americans and European Latin Ameri-
cans. This review shall include an assessment of the 
underlying rationale of the United States Govern-
ment’s decision to develop related programs and 
policies, the information the United States Govern-
ment received or acquired suggesting the related
programs and policies were necessary, the perceived 
benefit of enacting such programs and policies, and 
the immediate and long-term impact of such pro-
grams and policies on European Americans and Eu-
ropean Latin Americans and their communities. 
(2) A review of United States Government ac-
tion with respect to European Americans pursuant 
to the Alien Enemies Acts (50 U.S.C. 21–24) and 
Executive Order 9066 during World War II, includ-
ing registration requirements, travel and property 
restrictions, establishment of restricted areas, raids, 
arrests, internment, exclusion, policies relating to 
the families and property that excludees and intern-
ees were forced to abandon, internee employment by 
American companies (including a list of such compa-
nies and the terms and type of employment), ex-
change, repatriation, and deportment, and the imme-
diate and long-term effect of such actions, particu-
larly internment, on the lives of those affected. This 
review shall include a list of all temporary detention 
and long-term internment facilities. 
(3) A brief review of the participation by Euro-
pean Americans in the United States Armed Forces 
including the participation of European Americans
whose families were excluded, interned, repatriated, 
or exchanged. 
(4) A recommendation of appropriate remedies, 
including how civil liberties can be better protected 
during war, or an actual, attempted, or threatened 
invasion or incursion, an assessment of the contin-
ued viability of the Alien Enemies Acts (50 U.S.C. 
21–24), and public education programs related to 
the United States Government’s wartime treatment 
of European Americans and European Latin Ameri-
cans during World War II. 
(c) FIELD HEARINGS.—The European American 
Commission shall hold public hearings in such cities of the 
United States as it deems appropriate. 
(d) REPORT.—The European American Commission 
shall submit a written report of its findings and rec-
ommendations to Congress not later than 18 months after 
the date of the first meeting called pursuant to section 
101(e). 
SEC. 103. POWERS OF THE EUROPEAN AMERICAN COMMIS-
SION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The European American Commis-
sion or, on the authorization of the Commission, any sub-
committee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of car-
rying out the provisions of this title, hold such hearings
and sit and act at such times and places, and request the 
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the pro-
duction of such books, records, correspondence, memo-
randum, papers, and documents as the Commission or 
such subcommittee or member may deem advisable. The 
European American Commission may request the Attor-
ney General to invoke the aid of an appropriate United 
States district court to require, by subpoena or otherwise, 
such attendance, testimony, or production. 
(b) GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
AND
COOPERA-
TION.—The European American Commission may acquire 
directly from the head of any department, agency, inde-
pendent instrumentality, or other authority of the execu-
tive branch of the Government, available information that 
the European American Commission considers useful in 
the discharge of its duties. All departments, agencies, and 
independent instrumentalities, or other authorities of the 
executive branch of the Government shall cooperate with 
the European American Commission and furnish all infor-
mation requested by the European American Commission 
to the extent permitted by law, including information col-
lected as a result of Public Law 96–317 and Public Law 
106–451. For purposes of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 
552a(b)(9)), the European American Commission shall be 
deemed to be a committee of jurisdiction.
SEC. 104. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
The European American Commission is authorized 
to—
(1) appoint and fix the compensation of such 
personnel as may be necessary, without regard to 
the provisions of title 5, United States Code, gov-
erning appointments in the competitive service, and 
without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to 
classification and General Schedule pay rates, except 
that the compensation of any employee of the Com-
mission may not exceed a rate equivalent to the rate 
payable under GS–15 of the General Schedule under 
section 5332 of such title; 
(2) obtain the services of experts and consult-
ants in accordance with the provisions of section 
3109 of such title; 
(3) obtain the detail of any Federal Govern-
ment employee, and such detail shall be without re-
imbursement or interruption or loss of civil service 
status or privilege; 
(4) enter into agreements with the Adminis-
trator of General Services for procurement of nec-
essary financial and administrative services, for 
which payment shall be made by reimbursement 
from funds of the Commission in such amounts as
may be agreed upon by the Chairman of the Com-
mission and the Administrator; 
(5) procure supplies, services, and property by 
contract in accordance with applicable laws and reg-
ulations and to the extent or in such amounts as are 
provided in appropriation Acts; and 
(6) enter into contracts with Federal or State 
agencies, private firms, institutions, and agencies for 
the conduct of research or surveys, the preparation 
of reports, and other activities necessary to the dis-
charge of the duties of the Commission, to the ex-
tent or in such amounts as are provided in appro-
priation Acts. 
SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
From funds currently authorized to the Department 
of Justice, there are authorized to be appropriated not to 
exceed $500,000 to carry out the purposes of this title. 
SEC. 106. SUNSET. 
The European American Commission shall terminate 
60 days after it submits its report to Congress.
TITLE II—COMMISSION ON WAR-
TIME TREATMENT OF JEWISH 
REFUGEES 
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION ON WARTIME 
TREATMENT OF JEWISH REFUGEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established the Commis-
sion on Wartime Treatment of Jewish Refugees (referred 
to in this title as the ‘‘Jewish Refugee Commission’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Jewish Refugee Commission 
shall be composed of 7 members, who shall be appointed 
not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act as follows: 
(1) Three members shall be appointed by the 
President. 
(2) Two members shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, in con-
sultation with the Minority Leader. 
(3) Two members shall be appointed by the Ma-
jority Leader of the Senate, in consultation with the 
minority leader. 
(c) TERMS.—The term of office for members shall be 
for the life of the Jewish Refugee Commission. A vacancy 
in the Jewish Refugee Commission shall not affect its pow-
ers, and shall be filled in the same manner in which the 
original appointment was made.
(d) REPRESENTATION.—The Jewish Refugee Com-
mission shall include 2 members representing the interests 
of Jewish refugees. 
(e) MEETINGS.—The President shall call the first 
meeting of the Jewish Refugee Commission not later than 
120 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(f) QUORUM.—Four members of the Jewish Refugee 
Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser num-
ber may hold hearings. 
(g) CHAIRMAN.—The Jewish Refugee Commission 
shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from among 
its members. The term of office of each shall be for the 
life of the Jewish Refugee Commission. 
(h) COMPENSATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Members of the Jewish Ref-
ugee Commission shall serve without pay. 
(2) REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.—All mem-
bers of the Jewish Refugee Commission shall be re-
imbursed for reasonable travel and subsistence, and 
other reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by 
them in the performance of their duties. 
SEC. 202. DUTIES OF THE JEWISH REFUGEE COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—It shall be the duty of the Jewish 
Refugee Commission to review the United States Govern-
ment’s refusal to allow Jewish and other refugees fleeing
(d) REPORT.—The Jewish Refugee Commission shall 
submit a written report of its findings and recommenda-
tions to Congress not later than 18 months after the date 
of the first meeting called pursuant to section 201(e). 
SEC. 203. POWERS OF THE JEWISH REFUGEE COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Jewish Refugee Commission 
or, on the authorization of the Commission, any sub-
committee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of car-
rying out the provisions of this title, hold such hearings 
and sit and act at such times and places, and request the 
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the pro-
duction of such books, records, correspondence, memo-
randum, papers, and documents as the Commission or 
such subcommittee or member may deem advisable. The 
Jewish Refugee Commission may request the Attorney 
General to invoke the aid of an appropriate United States 
district court to require, by subpoena or otherwise, such 
attendance, testimony, or production. 
(b) GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
AND
COOPERA-
TION.—The Jewish Refugee Commission may acquire di-
rectly from the head of any department, agency, inde-
pendent instrumentality, or other authority of the execu-
tive branch of the Government, available information that 
the Jewish Refugee Commission considers useful in the 
discharge of its duties. All departments, agencies, and
independent instrumentalities, or other authorities of the 
executive branch of the Government shall cooperate with 
the Jewish Refugee Commission and furnish all informa-
tion requested by the Jewish Refugee Commission to the 
extent permitted by law, including information collected 
as a result of Public Law 96–317 and Public Law 106–
451. For purposes of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 
552a(b)(9)), the Jewish Refugee Commission shall be 
deemed to be a committee of jurisdiction. 
SEC. 204. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
The Jewish Refugee Commission is authorized to—
(1) appoint and fix the compensation of such 
personnel as may be necessary, without regard to 
the provisions of title 5, United States Code, gov-
erning appointments in the competitive service, and 
without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to 
classification and General Schedule pay rates, except 
that the compensation of any employee of the Com-
mission may not exceed a rate equivalent to the rate 
payable under GS–15 of the General Schedule under 
section 5332 of such title; 
(2) obtain the services of experts and consult-
ants in accordance with the provisions of section 
3109 of such title;
(3) obtain the detail of any Federal Govern-
ment employee, and such detail shall be without re-
imbursement or interruption or loss of civil service 
status or privilege; 
(4) enter into agreements with the Adminis-
trator of General Services for procurement of nec-
essary financial and administrative services, for 
which payment shall be made by reimbursement 
from funds of the Commission in such amounts as 
may be agreed upon by the Chairman of the Com-
mission and the Administrator; 
(5) procure supplies, services, and property by 
contract in accordance with applicable laws and reg-
ulations and to the extent or in such amounts as are 
provided in appropriation Acts; and 
(6) enter into contracts with Federal or State 
agencies, private firms, institutions, and agencies for 
the conduct of research or surveys, the preparation 
of reports, and other activities necessary to the dis-
charge of the duties of the Commission, to the ex-
tent or in such amounts as are provided in appro-
priation Acts.
SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
From funds currently authorized to the Department 
of Justice, there are authorized to be appropriated not to 
exceed $500,000 to carry out the purposes of this title. 
SEC. 206. SUNSET. 
The Jewish Refugee Commission shall terminate 60 
days after it submits its report to Congress.
Æ