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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
Fred Korematsu day; observed.
Purpose
Establishes January 30th of each year as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution.
Background
Statute outlines 16 legal state holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Public offices and courts are closed on legal holidays, except for certain authorized purposes. Statute also lists several other non-legal holidays, including Korean War Veterans' Day, Dr. Cesar Estrada Chavez Day and Prisoners of War Remembrance Day (A.R.S. Title 1, Chapter 3, Article 1).
Fred T. Korematsu was an American citizen who was placed in an internment camp under the Executive Order 9066, issued during World War II. Mr. Korematsu was arrested for refusing to comply with this order and was later convicted in federal court and placed in an internment camp. Mr. Korematsu appealed his conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld the internment as a military necessity. Mr. Korematsu's conviction was overturned in 1983 (U.S. Courts).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes January 30th of each year as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution.
2. Specifies that the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution is not a legal holiday.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 11, 2021
MH/HF/gs