On the recordSeptember 8, 2014
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4751 changes the name of Bainbridge Island Japanese American Memorial in Washington State to the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. The addition of the word ``exclusion'' is significant, as it acknowledges the true purpose of the memorial: to recognize and honor the 276 Japanese Americans living on the island who were relocated and interned after the attack on Pearl Harbor. When Congress adjusted the boundary of the Minidoka National Historic Site to include the site, the name Congress used was the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Memorial. At the request of the Bainbridge Island community and owners of the memorial, H.R. 4751 amends the name to reflect the memorial's official name. I would like to thank Representative Kilmer for sponsoring this bill and working to get it through the committee process. This name change is important for the Bainbridge Island community and the integrity of the memorial. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
