WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today a bipartisan majority of members of the House Judiciary Committee voted to favorably report H.R. 42, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act, during the committee’s markup. The bill was authored by Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee.
“I salute Chairman Conyers and the members of the Judiciary Committee for giving this important issue the serious consideration it deserves,” Rep. Becerra said. “Today’s action is welcome news for all Americans who seek to understand our country’s past mistakes, and puts us on a path to provide justice to the Japanese Latin Americans who were forcibly relocated, deported and interned by the United States during World War II.”
When signed into law, Rep. Becerra’s legislation would create a commission to investigate the U.S. government’s involvement in the abduction, internment, and deportation of Japanese Latin Americans, and make recommendations for any appropriate remedies to Congress based on their findings. The commissioners would be composed of nine members, three each appointed by the president, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the president pro tempore of the Senate.
Rep. Becerra, a longtime advocate of seeking the historical truth about Japanese Latin Americans taken into custody by the United States during World War II, first introduced a version of H.R. 42 in 2006.
“As the survivors and witnesses of these events reach advanced age, I hope and expect to see consideration of this bill on the House floor during this session of Congress—our time to learn the full truth and add to our historical record is running out,” Rep. Becerra said.
- Click here to learn more about the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act.
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