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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
POLLED OUT OF COMMITTEE
MAJORITY FAVORABLE
January 26, 2016
S. 914
S. Printed 1/26/16--S. [SEC 1/27/16 12:26 PM]
Read the first time January 13, 2016.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 914) designating January 30, 2016, as "Fred Korematsu Day" in South Carolina and to recognize the life and work, etc., respectfully
Has polled the Concurrent Resolution out majority favorable.
DESIGNATING JANUARY 30, 2016, AS "FRED KOREMATSU DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO RECOGNIZE THE LIFE AND WORK OF FRED KOREMATSU.
Whereas, Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu was born on January 30, 1919, in Oakland, California, a beloved son of Japanese immigrants; and
Whereas, on December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the United States military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, forcing the United States to enter World War II against Japan, Germany, and Italy; and
Whereas, the United States Army issued the Civilian Exclusion Order Number 34, which stated that all persons of Japanese ancestry, considered a security threat, were to be removed from designated areas of the West Coast; and
Whereas, Fred Korematsu, when his family reported to Tanforan, one of the War Relocation Authority camps, refused to report based on his belief that he was a loyal American; and
Whereas, after being jailed and unsuccessfully challenging the Order in the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, he appealed his conviction to the United States Supreme Court, where his conviction was also upheld; and
Whereas, Fred Korematsu continued to maintain his innocence for decades following World War II, and in light of new information that the federal government suppressed findings that Japanese Americans on the West Coast were not security threats, United States District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel overturned Fred Korematsu's conviction on November 10, 1983; and
Whereas, Fred Korematsu's fight and the decision to overturn his conviction influenced the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, signed by President Reagan, which recognized that a grave injustice was done by forced relocation and incarceration of American citizens and civilian residents because of wartime prejudice; and
Whereas, President Clinton awarded the Medal of Freedom to Fred Korematsu on January 15, 1998; and
Whereas, Fred Korematsu remained a tireless advocate for civil liberties and justice throughout his life and was a role model for all Americans who love the United States and the promises contained in the Constitution; and
Whereas, Fred Korematsu's wife, Frances "Kathryn" Pearson Korematsu, was born in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 14, 1921. Mrs. Korematsu graduated from Winthrop College in 1942 and obtained a masters degree from Wayne University in Detroit, Michigan, in 1946. She married the late Fred Korematsu in Detroit that same year. Their daughter, Karen Korematsu, continues to advocate for civil liberties and justice by serving as the head of the Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education; and
Whereas, the members of the Senate mourn the loss of Fred Korematsu, who passed away on March 30, 2005, and take great pride in recognizing his life of advocacy for civil liberties and justice. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the Senate designate January 30, 2016, as "Fred Korematsu Day" in South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu.
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