Xavier Becerra: “I rise today to remember a day that many Americans, loyal Americans and true patriots of this country rise to remember…”

“I rise today to remember a day that many Americans, loyal Americans and true patriots of this country rise to remember as well during the month of February. February 19 marks an important day of remembrance for many Americans who remember the ravages of World War II and many Americans who suffered from the ravages of World War II. February 19, 1942, is the year in which Executive Order 9066 was signed, and this was the order that called for the exclusion and internment of all Japanese Americans living on the west coast during World War II. I wish to join with my colleague Mr. Mike Honda, and other of my colleagues who will speak today, to recognize the hard work and struggle of so many Americans who for years have been loyal to this country, who finally were rewarded for their loyalty with the recognition they deserve for having served this country and having always considered it their love. This year happens to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1981 hearings by the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. This commission concluded in 1983 that the internment of Japanese Americans was a result of racism and wartime hysteria back in the 1940s. Five years after publishing its findings, then-President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 that provided an official apology and financial redress to most of the Japanese Americans who were subjected to wrongdoing and who were confined in U.S. internment camps during World War II.…”