The House was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by the Speaker (Representative Orwall presiding). The Clerk called the roll and a quorum was present.

The flags were escorted to the rostrum by a Sergeant at Arms and the Nisei Veterans Committee Color Guard; Dale Kaku, Allen Nakamoto, Tom Kometani and Bob Nakamura. The Speaker (Representative Orwall presiding) led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The prayer was offered by Senior Interim Pastor; Brooks Andrews, Japanese Baptist Church, Seattle Washington.

Reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was ordered to stand approved.

RESOLUTION

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4669, by Representatives Santos, Hasegawa, Reykdal, Green, Orwall, Dahlquist, Hansen, Sells, Lytton, McCoy, Fitzgibbon, Maxwell, Finn, Kenney, Moeller, Clibborn, Ryu, Darneille, Billig, Upthegrove, Stanford, Kelley, Pollet, and Ross

WHEREAS, Seventy years ago, on February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced assembly, evacuation, and internment of approximately 12,000 Japanese-Americans residing in the state of Washington; and

WHEREAS, The order for assembly and detention at Camp Harmony in Puyallup, Washington, prior to evacuation and subsequent internment caused Japanese-Americans from the state of Washington to lose millions of dollars in property and assets, to suffer immeasurable physical and psychological damage, and to be deprived of their constitutional liberties without due process of law; and

WHEREAS, The alleged purpose of this drastic course of action was to prevent Japanese-Americans, all of whom were deemed disloyal and untrustworthy, from committing acts of espionage and sabotage against the United States during the period of its involvement in World War II; and

WHEREAS, An overwhelming number of Japanese-Americans from the state of Washington responded to questions of their loyalty and patriotism by volunteering from within barbed wire camps to serve in the United States Army, amassing a battle record that is unmatched in U.S. military history with seven Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Medals of Honor, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal, 588 Silver Stars, more than 4,000 Bronze Stars, 22 Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier's Medals, 9,486 Purple Hearts, and a total of 16 decorations from France and Italy; and

WHEREAS, A few equally patriotic Japanese-Americans, like Minoru Yasui, Fred Korematsu, and University of Washington student Gordon Hirabayashi who passed away on January 2, 2012, were willing to face imprisonment to seek justice by challenging the constitutionality of the evacuation and internment orders; and

WHEREAS, Through the fact-finding work of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, the United States Congress later found "there was no military or security reason for the internment" of individuals of Japanese ancestry but "was caused by racial prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership;" and

WHEREAS, Japanese-American internees from the state of Washington endured economic, physical, and psychological hardship and suffered in silence for more than forty years before the state of Washington provided redress and reparations to municipal and state employees; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, the United States Congress recognized the unparalleled record of Nisei soldiers by authorizing the creation of "a single gold medal of appropriate design to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service, United States Army" and, in November 2011, President Barack Obama bestowed this highest civilian honor on these units collectively; and

WHEREAS, Throughout Washington state, survivors of the European and Asian battlefields of World War II and of American internment camps continue to live their golden years quietly in unassuming contrast to their extraordinary acts of patriotism and valor;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, along with the people of Washington, pause to acknowledge the seventieth anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066, to recognize the Japanese-American internees and World War II veterans from the state of Washington, to honor their patience, heroism, sacrifice, and loyalty, and to remember the lessons and blessings of liberty and justice for all; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Nisei Veterans Committee, the Military Intelligence Service - Northwest Association, the Japanese-American Citizens League, the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington State, and the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience.

Representative Santos moved adoption of HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4669

Representatives Santos, Anderson and Hasegawa spoke in favor of the adoption of the resolution.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4669 was adopted.

SPEAKER’S PRIVILEGE

The Speaker (Representative Orwall presiding) recognized the following veterans who were recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal: Kats Okamoto, Sam Mitsui, as well as Tosh Tokunaga and Frank Nishimura who were additionally awarded Bronze Stars. The Speaker asked them to stand and be recognized by the chamber. The Speaker (Representative Orwall presiding) also recognized those Americans who were unjustly interned during World War II, present in the gallery: Esther Furugori, Fumi Hayashida, Shea Aoki, Kiku Hayashi, Kimiye Hayashi, Louise Kashino, Kazzie Katayama, Rose Kishi, Tome Kometani, Don Maekawa, Frank Muranmatsu, May Namba, Haru Nishimura, Tom Ohatni, Arlene Oki, Joe Sasaki, May Sasaki, Lucy Sato, Dolly Tokunaga, Tak Todo, Yuzo Tokita, Matsue Watanabe, Shizue Watanabie, Suma Yagi, Joan Yoshitomi, Connie Sato, Yosh Nakasawa and former Representative; Kip Tokuda. The Speaker asked them to stand and be recognized by the chamber.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

February 14, 2012

MR. SPEAKER:

The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6005 and the same is herewith transmitted.

Thomas Hoemann, Secretary

INTRODUCTIONS AND FIRST READING

SSB 6005 by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Carrell, Delvin, Fain, Sheldon, Hill and Benton)

AN ACT Relating to the exemption of certain vehicles from the written estimate requirement for auto repair facilities; amending RCW 46.71.025; and providing an effective date.

Referred to Committee on Business & Financial Services.

There being no objection, the bill listed on the day’s introduction sheet under the fourth order of business was referred to the committees so designated.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

February 14, 20120)

SSB 6002 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Ways & Means: Making adjustments to the school construction assistance formula. Reported by Committee on Capital Budget

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Warnick, Ranking Minority Member; Zeiger, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Asay; Jinkins; Lytton; Smith; Tharinger and Wylie.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

There being no objection, the bill listed on the day’s committee reports under the fifth order of business was referred to the committees so designated.

There being no objection, the House advanced to the eleventh order of business.

There being no objection, the House adjourned until 10:00 a.m., February 20, 2012, the 43rd Day of the Regular Session.

FRANK CHOPP, Speaker

BARBARA BAKER, Chief Clerk