Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
State Government Committee

HB 2842

Brief Description:  Creating a civil liberties day of remembrance.

Sponsors:  Representatives Santos, Tokuda, Veloria, Conway, Kenney, Dickerson, O'Brien, Ogden, Schual‑Berke, Kessler, Lovick, McIntire, Ruderman, Upthegrove, Linville, Rockefeller, Simpson, Haigh and McDermott.

Brief Summary of Bill

$February 19 is recognized as a Civil Liberties Day of Remembrance.

Hearing Date:  2/5/02

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:

February 19 is recognized as Civil Liberties Day of Remembrance, but is not considered a legal holiday.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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