SENATE BILL REPORT

                 E2SHB 1572

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Education, February 24, 2000

Title:  An act relating to providing educational and instructional materials about the experiences of persons of Japanese descent during World War II to K‑12 and postsecondary students and other citizens of the state of Washington.

Brief Description:  Creating the Washington civil liberties public education program.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Wensman, Tokuda, Santos, Quall, Veloria, Schoesler, Conway, Murray, Constantine, Ogden, Rockefeller, Kenney, O'Brien, D. Schmidt and Haigh).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/17/2000, 2/24/2000 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Brown, Goings, Hochstatter, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Vanessa Power (786-7448)

Background:  Executive Order 9066 led to the forced removal and internment of people of Japanese ancestry during World War II.  Teaching the history of the internment of people of Japanese ancestry during World War II varies by school district based on course books purchased at the local level.  But the Essential Academic Learning Requirements for history include analyzing the historical development of events, people, places, and patterns of life in the world, United States, and Washington State history.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington Civil Liberties Public Education Program is created to educate the public regarding the history and lessons of exclusion, removal, and detention of people of Japanese ancestry during World War II.  Through a competitive grant process, the program develops, coordinates, and distributes curriculum materials, videos, plays, presentations, speakers bureaus, and exhibitions.

The program is administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).  Competitive grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations, four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, K-12 public educational institutions, arts and cultural organizations, individuals, government units, and consortia that meet required criteria.

By January 1, 2002, OSPI must report to the Governor and the Legislature on the types of grants awarded and the status of the program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Individual liberties were violated when the United States removed and detained people of Japanese ancestry during World War II.  Young people must be educated on the events and circumstances surrounding this injustice to prevent further occurrences.  Current resources are limited and outdated.  This bill will support the development of supplemental resources.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Mike Wensman, prime sponsor; Representative Kip Tokuda, co-sponsor; Representative Sharon Tomiko-Santos, co-sponsor; Antonio Cube, Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; Elaine Akagi, Japanese American Citizens League; David Yamaguchi, Japanese American Citizens League; Thomas Kometani; Arlene Oki, Japanese American Citizens League; Rainer Houser, Association of Washington School Principals; Aaron Owada, Japanese American Citizens League.