Recognition and Awards

Return to Japanese Internment in WWII

=Recognition and Awards= Gradually, over decades, the internment of Japanese Americans was recognized as entirely wrong and prejudiced: http://rhapsodyinbooks.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/korematsuclinton.jpg
 * 1944: First of the ten Relocation Centers closes in June.  December:  Korematsu vs. United States " upholds the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066," but Executive Order 9102 prevents loyal citizens from internment.
 * 1946: All War Relocation Centers are closed.
 * 1948: Japanese American Claims Act signed:  "'The government did move these people, bodily, the resulting loss was great, and the principles of justice and responsible government require that there should be compensation for such losses.' The Congress over time appropriated $38 million to settle 23,000 claims for damages totaling $131 million. The final claim was adjudicated in 1965.
 * 1950: Congress passes Public Law 81-831, (includes the Emergency Detention Act of 1950):  allows for the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII and Communists.  Reapealed in 1971.
 * 1976: "An American Promise," also known as Proclamation issued by President Ford  4417:  "we have learned from the tragedy of that long-ago experience forever to treasure liberty and justice for each individual American, and resolve that this kind of action shall never again be repeated."
 * 1980: CWRIC is created.  (See Redress Movement)
 * 1983: CWRIC report is issued.  Executive Order 9066 was not necessary, it was caused by "race prejudice, war hysteria and a failure of political leadership."  The report also suggests $20,000 non-taxable redresses "to each surviving evacuee."
 * 1987: Congressman Norman Mineta reintroduces HR 442 to congress on September 17, to mixed opinions.  (See video link at bottom of page.)
 * 1988: President Reagan signs the Civil Rights Act of 1988 on August 10, granting each surviving detainee $20,000 compensation.  This is considered the Redress for the internment of Japanese Americans.
 * 1990: The first payments under the Civil Rights Act of 1988 are issued.
 * 1998: Fred Korematsu is given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton.  He was the plaintiff in the 1944 court case Korematsu vs. United States, which concerned the constitutionality of the internments.  He had been convicted, but in 1984 the conviction was revoked when the government's evidence against him was proven tainted.

Photo courtesy of wordpress.com.

=Japanese Americans Post WWII- Recognition Acheived= This video gives an overview of the fight for Redress, culminating in President Reagan signing the HR 442 bill. It expresses the need for Japanese Americans to acheive justice and the right to have their testimonies heard and sacrifices acknowledged. http://www.5min.com/Video/Japanese-Americans-Post-WWII--Recognition-Achieved-300993920

"The War Relocation Authority and The Incarceration of Japanese-Americans During World War II: 1944-1998." Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. .