FIFTY NINTH LEGISLATURE - REGULAR SESSION

FORTIETH DAY

House Chamber, Olympia, Friday, February 17, 2006

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

The flags was escorted to the rostrum by the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee Color Guard. The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. Prayer was offered by Pastor Karry Kaino, Japanese Presbyterian Church, Seattle and Chaplain for the Nisei Veterans Organization.

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

RESOLUTION

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2006-4701, By Representatives Santos and Hasegawa

WHEREAS, 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 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 Military Intelligence Service and the United States Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the latter of which became the most decorated unit of its size in American history with seven Presidential Unit Citations, 21 Congressional Medals of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal, 588 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 9,486 Purple Hearts, and a total of 18 decorations from France and Italy; and

WHEREAS, A few equally patriotic Japanese-Americans, such as Gordon Hirabayashi, then a student at the University of Washington, 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 that "there was no military or security reason for the internment" of individuals of Japanese ancestry and that the internment "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 monetary redress and reparations to municipal and state employees;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives, along with the people of Washington, pause to acknowledge the sixty-fourth anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066, to recognize the Japanese-American internees and WWII veterans from the state of Washington, to honor their patience, heroism, sacrifice, and patriotic 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, and the Japanese-American Cultural & Community Center.

Representative Santos moved the adoption of the resolution.

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

{{41742}} HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4701 was adopted.

{{41743}} The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) recognized members of the Nisei Veterans Committee who were present. The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) introduced First Gentleman Mike Gregoire and Director of Veterans Affairs John Lee.

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

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

February 15, 2006

SSB 6441 Prime Sponsor, Senate Committee On Judiciary: Changing the law related to judicial orders concerning distraint of personal property. Reported by Committee on Judiciary

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Representatives Lantz, Chairman; Flannigan, Vice Chairman; Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Rodne, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Kirby; Serben; Springer; Williams and Wood.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

February 15, 2006

SSB 6572 Prime Sponsor, Senate Committee On Judiciary: Revising the unlawful detainer process under the residential landlord-tenant act. Reported by Committee on Judiciary

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

February 15, 2006

SSB 6597 Prime Sponsor, Senate Committee On Judiciary: Modifying trusts and estates, generally. Reported by Committee on Judiciary

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass as amended:

On page 9, line 27 strike "terminal"

Signed by Representatives Lantz, Chairman; Flannigan, Vice Chairman; Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Rodne, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Kirby; Serben; Springer; Williams and Wood.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

There being no objection, the bills listed on the day's committee reports sheet under the fifth order of business were referred to the committees so designated.

{{41768}} 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, 2006, the 43rd Day of the Regular Session.

FRANK CHOPP, Speaker

RICHARD NAFZIGER, Chief Clerk