REFERENCE TITLE: Japanese Americans; recognition

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-third Legislature First Regular Session 2017

HCR 2026

Introduced by Representative Saldate

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

recognizing the positive contributions of Japanese Americans.

 

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843; and

Whereas, Japanese Americans have enriched the landscape of a growingly diverse America; and

Whereas, between 2000 and 2013, the Japanese‑American population grew by 22%; and

Whereas, according to a 2015 report that was prepared by the Center for American Progress, 48% of Japanese Americans have attained a bachelor's or higher degree and the turnout rate among registered Japanese‑American voters in the 2012 election was 89%; and

Whereas, on February 19, 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to the exclusion of 120,000 Japanese Americans and legal resident aliens from the west coast of the United States and to the incarceration of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents of Japanese ancestry in internment camps during World War II; and

Whereas, February 19, 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1.  That the Members of the Legislature recognize the positive contributions that Japanese Americans have made to the United States in general and to Arizona in particular.

2.  That the Members of the Legislature recognize the historical significance of February 19, 1942 as the date on which President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which restricted the freedom of Japanese Americans.