Bill Text: AZ SR1004 | 2019 | Fifty-fourth Legislature 1st Regular | Enrolled
Bill Title: Fred T. Korematsu recognition
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-01-30 - Transmitted to Secretary of State [SR1004 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2019-SR1004-Enrolled.html
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Senate Engrossed |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-fourth Legislature First Regular Session 2019
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SENATE RESOLUTION 1004 |
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A RESOLUTION
recognizing and honoring Fred T. Korematsu.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Whereas, Fred T. Korematsu was an American citizen born on January 30, 1919 and raised in Oakland, California; and
Whereas, Mr. Korematsu was one of approximately 120,000 innocent people of Japanese descent, two-thirds of whom were American citizens, who were subject to Executive Order 9066, issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, that required Japanese Americans be removed from their homes and placed in internment camps; and
Whereas, two large internment camps were located in Arizona. Approximately one-fourth of all those interned, 31,000 men, women and children, were placed in camps in Arizona. The Colorado River Relocation Center, operating from April 1942 to March 1946, near Poston, in La Paz County, (formerly part of Yuma County) had a population of approximately 18,000 persons. The Gila River Relocation Center, operating from May 1942 to February 1946, at Rivers in west central Pinal County, had a population of approximately 13,000 persons; and
Whereas, Mr. Korematsu refused to comply with this order and was arrested and later convicted in federal court and placed in an internment camp along with his family members; and
Whereas, Mr. Korematsu courageously appealed his conviction to the United States Supreme Court; and
Whereas, the United States Supreme Court voted 6 – 3 in the landmark case of Korematsu v. United States that the enforced internment was justified based on "military necessity"; and
Whereas, a review in the early 1980s found that the United States Solicitor General had intentionally withheld reports from military intelligence confirming Japanese-Americans had not committed any wrongdoing; and
Whereas, Mr. Korematsu's conviction was overturned in 1983; and
Whereas, Mr. Korematsu spent the remainder of his life on a quest to ensure civil liberties for all Americans; and
Whereas, before his death in 2005, Mr. Korematsu traveled the nation teaching the next generation to "protest, but not with violence, and don't be afraid to speak up. One person can make a difference, even if it takes 40 years."; and
Whereas, Arizona stands strong in its commitment to equal justice under the law.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona;
That the Members of the Senate honor Fred T. Korematsu for his remarkable courage in condemning injustice and his commitment to advancing civil liberties.
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY THE SENATE JANUARY 30, 2019.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE JANUARY 30, 2019.
