HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSJM 8036

As Reported by House Committee On:

State Government

Brief Description:  Requesting a memorial to remember the internment of Japanese‑Americans during World War II.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on State & Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators B. Sheldon, Shin, Carlson, Haugen, Sheahan, Spanel, Oke, Franklin, Rasmussen, Jacobsen, Eide, Winsley, Costa, T. Sheldon, Kastama, Thibaudeau, Gardner, Hale, Swecker, West, Prentice, McAuliffe, Kline, Fraser, Keiser, Johnson, Roach and Kohl‑Welles).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government:  2/26/02, 3/1/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Request to designate the former Eagledale Ferry landing on Bainbridge Island as a national memorial to remember the internment of Japanese‑Americans during World War II.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Romero, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; McMorris, Ranking Minority Member; McDermott, Schindler, Schmidt and Upthegrove.

Staff:  Marsha Reilly (786‑7135).

Background:

On February 19, 1942, just a little over two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 authorizing the military to exclude any person from designated military areas.  This order authorized the military to:  1) designate military areas; and 2) to remove any persons considered a danger.  On March 2, 1942, the West Coast commander of the United States Army issued Public Proclamation No. 1 which designated the entire West Coast a restricted military area and, 22 days later, on March 24, 1942, the army issued the first Civilian Exclusion Order resulting in the evacuation of approximately 227 Japanese on Bainbridge Island.  By June 1942 over 110,000 Japanese‑Americans were moved to concentration camps for the remainder of World War II.

Summary of Bill:

A request is made to Congress to designate the former Eagledale Ferry Landing on Bainbridge Island as a national memorial to remember the unconstitutional internment of Japanese‑Americans during World War II.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Testimony For:  It is most important during these times that we look at an issue like this and remember that American citizens were interned for no reason other than they were Japanese and we were at war with Japan.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Sheldon, prime sponsor; and Robby Stern, Washington State Labor Council.